If you are a regular Pocket Picks reader you will probably already know about Fring, Vyke, Yeigo, Truphone and IM+. Let’s call that round one of the VoIP revolution, but where to from here?
Well the easy answer is Talkster, the hard part is explaining exactly what it is and how it works. For starters, the service is completely free and there is no client to download or any need to hand over credit card details to pay for anything.
Now that we have your attention, here’s the complicated bit. Calls are set up via your phone or PC’s browsers by entering your number and the number you wish to call into the relevant fields. Talkster then sends you and the person you want to call an SMS with a number which can be saved to your contacts list for that person. You then call the number you received and when it is answered by your friend, they simply need to hang up and call you back on the Talkster number they received. After that your calls are bridged and you can talk for as long as you like for free.
The same process can be done by messaging Talkster your number and the number you want to call meaning that any phone can make use of the service. The great thing is that once you have the special numbers that Talkster issues for each contact, you never need to go through the first part of the process again.
The process is ad-funded meaning that you need to listen to a short advert before the calls are connected but in exchange you can make unlimited free calls, including conference calls with up to five people and international calls to plenty of different countries.
It’s all very clever stuff if a little on the fiddly side and it is hard to see how the operators will be able to clamp down on it in the way they have been able to strangle conventional mobile VoIP solutions.
More on this as soon as we have it.
(Via textually)
Check out Rebtel (www.rebtel.com) instead. Offers the same hang up-call back service WITHOUT the 10 seconds comercial in 39 countries. You’ll get 10 minutes without the hang up-call back routine and 5 more for each friend you sign up. On facebook as well http://apps.facebook.com/myrebtel
Talkster not only offers free person to person calling but group conference calls too. Set up a group call with up to 5 friends from one or multiple countries at once. Find out more at http://www.talkster.com or http://apps.facebook.com/talkster
Thanks for posting the article on Talkster. There have been many questions asked since the launch last week. We created a link to answer those questions here at:
http://www.mobilitywire.com/consumer/straight-talk-from-talkster
I use Talkster and I prefer it over Rebtel. They don’t ask you for your credit card or any other personal information. You hear ONE ten-second commercial at the beginning of the call, which goes by really fast, and then you can talk as long as you like for free. I can also have a group call with 5 friends, also for free. With Rebtel they give you ONE 10-minute free trial, and then after that you have to pay.