Will it ever stop? Probably not.
Anyway, iPhone users will be pleased to know that the first official native VoIP application is now available and rather than being from an unknown, it’s all courtesy of the ever dependable Truphone.
Like the existing application for smartphones, the iPhone version is free and uses the device’s WiFi connection to place calls over the internet for dramatically lower calling rates. The best thing is that if you have an iPhone 3G, unless you plumped up for a PAYG handset, you already have an unlimited data plan so no need to worry about watching your roaming.
The only thing we are concerned about is the distinct lack of a mention about using 3G connectivity to route calls when out of range of a WiFi access point. Still, we can’t confirm that until we give the application a spin for ourselves. In the meantime, check out this video for a fuller explanation of what Truphone does.
As you may already know we are pretty keen exponents of mobile VoIP here at Pocket Picks, and it’s not because we are penny pinching skinflints, ok. Well, now that that’s cleared up, time for a little news from a VoIP company that we have heard all too little from over the last few months.
Truphone has just beefed up its service with something it is calling Truphone Anywhere, a mobile VoIP solution that isn’t dependent on the shackles of a wi-fi connection. The service uses a combination of your bundled minutes (which pretty much every pay monthly contract comes with these days) with its own internet calling service which it runs from its own server.
It works by routing any call you make first of all to Truphone’s server, after which your call is connected via the internet at Truphone’s rates. Pretty handy for international calls if nothing else and a very cunning workaround for when you are caught short of a wi-fi connection.
Truphone Anywhere has already been integrated into the latest version of the Truphone software, Truphone 4.0, and is available now. What’s even better is that new sign ups (which as ever are free by the way) are credited with £2 of Truphone calling credit, so a visit to the main site could well be worth your while.
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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Network operators might not be too keen on mobile VoIP applications but it seems that everyone else is crazy about them. Fresh after news about Fring’s string of awards this year, Truphone has been recognised by the Red Herring 100 Global 2007 list.
The list which celebrates the world’s most successful private technology ventures considered 1800 compnaies for inclusion so the fact that Truphone managed to make the top 100 is certainly good news for the company.
In fact all of these awards being handed out to mobile VoIP companies is great for the image of the technology. Although it may not have a measured affect on how networks approach mobile VoIP it certainly helps to cement the legitimacy of services like Fring and Truphone in the eyes of consumers.
(Via Truphone)
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)
Nokia’s Nseries website has recently added a glut of cool programs (many of which are favorites of ours) to its applications section, meaning that Nseries users can browse loads of the cool apps they can use for their phone all from a single location.
The applications include Fring, EQO Mobile, Jaiku, Jott, Moblog: UK, Truphone and loads of others. Although to some these sorts of applications are very much a part of daily life, some people are still not entirely up to speed with adding functionality to their phones via application downloads - the likes of Fring or EQO Mobile which are accompanied by terms like ‘VoIP’ and ‘IM client’, user friendly though they are, can be a little daunting for those who are less than tech savvy.
To these sorts of users, the appearance of these apps on the official Nseries site should only solidify their reputation as safe and reliable programs that can dramatically improve the functionality of your handset. On the downside it does mean that we are going to have to work harder from now on to make sure we get to tell you about them before Nokia do *grumble*.
(Via Darla Mack)
Truphone boss James Tagg yesterday gave the first demonstration of a VoIP mobile using Apple’s iPhone in San Diego, California, using the iPhone’s built-in WiFi capability.
He made the call to another WiFi handset nearby on a stage in front over over 300 delegates at the DEMOfall 07 conference. Tagg took the opportunity to show off Truphone’s ability to offer VoIP calls on Apple’s device in what is believed to be the first time someone has done this using a bog-standard iPhone.
The company also gave a demonstration of another application it’s development, which will enable phone calls to be made direct from networking site Facebook. The application lets any Facebook user click on a friend’s ‘Call Me’ button (Shown on their friend’s page on the website), to initiate a free VoIP call, either from their phone or the website.
Neither application is quite ready for release just yet, but their demonstrations have given Truphone a handy bit of publicity. Expect to see announcements about the applications’ launches at some point in the near future though.
See the video on Truphone’s website here
