We’ve heard scarcely a peep out of Truphone for the best part of the last three months, so news about a couple of updates to the service has assuaged our fear that its momentum is dwindling.
They aren’t very big or particularly exciting, as updates go. There’s a new easier balance check function where you merely need to text the word BALANCE to +44 7978 88 11 11 to receive a text containing your account credit details. The other minor update is the removal of the PIN number check from the voicemail function (which is free) meaning you only need to dial 1571 when you are connected to Truphone to listen to your messages.
As we said, not terribly exciting, but hopefully it’s evidence of the Truphone team ramping up its efforts for 2008.
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The whole mobile VoIP front has been relatively quiet so far in 2008 and we would never have guessed that Nokia would be the company to break the silence. But with what? The Nokia 6300i, that’s what, which will offer a fully integrated VoIP client (for making VoIP calls) straight out of the box.
The device will be a combined GSM and wi-fi mobile phone with the ability to store up to two thousand VoIP, home, and mobile numbers which will be listed with WLAN and VoIP symbols to indicate the connection status and type of phone call.
Obviously we are keen to get some more details on this little devil, especially with regards to its ability to communicate with PC based VoIP clients like Skype and GoogleTalk. Even if the functionality is slightly gimped in this respect however, it is certainly a progressive choice of software for Nokia to include in a new device (though our guess is that Nokia will try to keep handsets of this type quite niche for the time being). The 6300i is releasing soon so stay tuned for more details when we have them.
(Via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog)
Fring is a service that we have ceased to explain each time we write about it, we have come to expect that what it is, is a given to our readers. Perhaps that is a slightly lazy/premature attitude to take towards a technology that is barely a household name (mobile VoIP) but either way it doesn’t matter now as Fring has won itself enough recognition to justify a Wikipedia entry, surely a yard stick of success in anyone’s book.
Indeed the company recently revealed to Pocket Picks that it is gaining 100,000 new members every month. Not the sort of figures one sniffs at we think you will agree. In any case if you are not one of Fring’s new, existing or soon to be customers and have no idea what we are talking about, you can find out about the call cost saving application in our archives or of course by giving good old Wikipedia a poke.
Fring has made a pretty big announcement today with the release of version 3.30 of its mobile VoIP application. Fring users will now be able to send music, pictures, video clips and other files via Fring, over WiFi or 3G, from mobile to mobile and mobile to PC.
This means no bothersome Bluetooth or infra-red searching, no cables and more importantly, no MMS or data charges beyond what you are already paying for an unlimited data plan (which is pretty much an essential if you plan to use any mobile VoIP program including Fring).
At the moment the function only works from Fring to Fring, from Fring to MSN and vice versa but support for other services is promised soon.
Version 3.30 also includes an updated Chat function and increased multi-lingual support. So far only Nokia S60 users can make use of the newest version but apparently support for other handsets isn’t far away. Just one more very good reason to embrace mobile VoIP if you ask us.
(Via Fring)
Despite the fact that the forthcoming iPhone/iPod Touch SDK will probably change things a good deal, it seems that web based apps for the devices are still thriving. One of the latest to launch is RingFree a browser based VoIP service that allows you to navigate clients such as Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, MSN and apparently a few other IP based communication services too.
The service is also compatible with SIP systems (Session Initiation Protocol) meaning that if you have a subscription to such a service (more likely in the US) then you can use that via your iPhone with RingFree.
Of course RingFree is competing for space with several other similar services but as far as we are concerned, the more of these sorts of programs are available the better.
(Via iPhone World)
Seeing as we are more than a little keen on mobile VoIP applications it is a little strange that we haven’t devoted any space to Gizmo before, but now that the application has had an update (albeit a minor one) now seems as good a time as any to get on board.
The S60 based VoIP client (which is available for free download from the Nokia Beta Labs website now) offers free internet calling and instant messaging via wifi, 3G and 2G networks. The recent update adds a few new and clever tricks to the service.
Most notably, the ability to be logged in on your PC and on you handset at the same time so that when you receive a call, both your PC and mobile ring simultaneously. Additionally, Gizmo now marks people in your contact list who are unavailable or on another call by changing their status icon blue.
Gizmo is currently interoperable with AIM, Yahoo, Windows Live (MSN), MySpaceIM, and support for Jabber and iChat is promised soon. Lovely stuff and encouraging to see that it is available via the Nokia Beta Labs website. We’ll be keeping an eye on this one for sure.
(Via Darla Mack)
If you have finished groaning at the pun in the title of this post, you might be interested to know that Fring is now a certified darling of the telecoms industry evidenced by yet another award. Following the company’s triumph at scooping the prestigious DEMO award in Germany and then being given another pat on the back from Nokia by featuring the mobile VoIP app as its application of the week twice in one year, Joiku are now getting in on some Fring praise.
But who or what is Joiku? We’re glad you asked; Joiku is a site dedicated to cataloguing links to the best free mobile applications out there with an emphasis on top notch content. Not exactly a huge name but what is important is that these guys know mobile applications like Bill Gates knows the crisp firm feeling of a freshly minted $100 note, so their endorsement is not to be scoffed at.
The specific gong won is the ‘Joiku 2007 Prime Quality Award’ which is judged on quality of software (duh), user ratings, ease of use, feature richness, and market demand in terms of Joiku.com user downloads. Looks like Christmas has come early for Fring.
(Via Fring)
More good news for Truphone users. The mobile VoIP guru has slashed its international mobile rates, following through on the service’s already very competative international rates for making calls to landlines.
Calls to mobiles in Europe have been cut to just 15p/min (and less in some cases) with world mobile rates tumbling down an impressive 23 percent. Just one more thing for the fat cat carriers to worry about. Hit the jump for a full breakdown of the new prices.
Continue reading ‘Truphone slashes international mobile to mobile rates’
Just a quick flash of mobile VoIP news for those of you who use either Truphone or Google-talk. As you have probably already deduced from the headline, the two services are now interoperable meaning that you can use Truphone to call any GoogleTalk user for free and vice versa.
It is a bit of an unexpected move seeing as Truphone is a standalone mobile VoIP application as opposed to a VoIP client navigator like Fring, but if it means even more free calling options then who are we to argue?
Both GoogleTalk and Truphone are free to download so if you have a compatible phone, an obliging network operator and an unlimited data contract there is no good reason we can think of not to give this a go. If this is all giberish to you head over to the site where the good folks at Truphone have helpfully posted a video that explains how the whole thing works.
(Via Truphone Blog)
Remember a while back we told you about how Vyke was set to team up with wi-fi provider The Cloud? Of course you do, and you will no doubt be happy to learn that the deal is now officially in place and the service is available now.
Just to recap, this means that if you have an unlimited data contract and install Vyke’s mobile VoIP client on your handset you can use any of The Cloud’s 9,500 hotspots across the country to make VoIP calls. You don’t need a separate account for access with The Cloud and seeing as coverage from the provider is pretty widespread in built-up areas, chances are that if you are a city dweller in the UK there will be ample opportunities to make use of this.
The Cloud has its fingers in more than a few mobile pies now most notably with the iPhone and we have a feeling that as wi-fi and VoIP functions become increasingly common place on mobiles, The Cloud is a name that will crop up ever more frequently. Remember folks, do check your operator’s stance on mobile VoIP before trying to install Vyke and make sure you have an unlimited data contract too.
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