You might know by now that one of the limitations of VoIP iPhone apps like Fring, Truphone that are currently available on the App Store can only make VoIP calls over Wi-Fi.
Truphone has just released an updated version of their iPhone app with two interesting new features which will change all that.
The first new feature is called Truphone Anywhere and is quite interesting, it enables iPhone users to make low-priced international calls via the GSM network even when the iPhone is not connected to the Wi-Fi network.
If you dial an international number, the iPhone app does not use iPhone's data network but the call is redirected to a Truphone access number in your country, which connects to Truphone server which in turn automatically completes your call to the international destination over VoIP.
You end up paying for the domestic call to the Truphone access number in your country and the low cost Truphone call (which is around $.06 per minute from the US) to international destination.
So when you are not making a call over the Wi-Fi network you end up paying the additional cost of making the domestic call.
The second new feature is that iPhone users will also be able to receive calls using Truphone application which is a first for VoIP iPhone apps.
However, you need to keep the Truphone iPhone app running to receive calls on your Truphone app which is due to iPhone SDK's limitation which does not allow third-party iPhone apps to run in the background. Apple had strangely pulled out the Push Notification Service APIs from the 4th beta version of iPhone firmware 2.1 for "further development" which would have allowed background apps to run. However, there has been no further update from Apple about it.
You can now also find out which of your Truphone contacts are online so that you can make free Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi calls on your iPhone for free.
You can checkout the video of the iPhone app to get an overview:
I had started using Truphone when it was first released but switched to Fring as it lets you make Skype calls using the iPhone which are lot cheaper.
With these new features, I will probably give Truphone's iPhone app another shot and will also post a detailed review shortly.
You can download Truphone for iPhone for free using this direct iTunes link.
If you happen to use these new features, please drop us a line in the comments to tell us how it goes.
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This app (and the Truphone service) sucks. It makes it sound like it's free VoIP over wi-fi and it's not, it's only free to other Truphone users (even in US). And the worse part about it is that I can't delete my Truphone account (not the app from the iphone, just the actual account). I had to contact tech support at Truphone to ask how to delete account and am still waiting for an answer back (same day so far, will keep you all updated though).
Doesn't ATT get mad about Apple approving apps like this? I always thought ATT had a strong influence on what apps are approved… Anyone know about how much international calls cost via ATT?
Two corrections:
1. You can enable fring Skype calls over cell network using the mobile substrate library VoIPover3G on jailbroken phones.
2. I have no problem receiving Skype calls on the iPhone (over wireless or 3G).
@RL,
I don't think there are any VOIP apps that allow you to make free VoIP calls, even Skype allows you to make calls to other Skype account and you need to pay for calls to mobile phones and landlines.
However, it will be nice to see Skype launching their own iPhone app as they have 30 million customers so its easier to find your friend online on it than Truphone which has not reached the critical mass.
@Josh,
That is an interesting point, that thought occurred to me as well while I was writing the post.
I think the app got approved as it does not make VoIP calls using the data network. However, you never know, it can always be removed.
To answer your other question, based on this link:
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/long-distance/in-the-us.jsp?wtSlotClick=1-0017YS-0-1&WT.svl=calltoaction
It looks like if you are making an call from US to someone in UK, AT&T charges:
$1.49 to a landline
$1.69 to a mobile phone
It gets a lot cheaper if you sign up for AT&T World Connect.
If you compare that with Truphone:
$0.06 to a landline
$0.30 to a mobile phone
and also add the cost of the domestic call if you are using it on the GSM network.
@scott,
Thanks for that tip.
cheers!
Fring CAN receive VOIP calls. I use Gizmo and Grandcentral to place free VOIP calls with Fring fairly often. Call quality is acceptable, but not as good as a standard cell call.
@iPhoneHacks,
cell reception in my house is terrible; is there a way for friends to dial my traditional cell number or my grandcentral number and have that call routed through wifi. i know iCall will be able to do this but I'm not in the beta.
This is very bad service.Always no conection and they charge me for call weiting and it is very expensive.
A friend of mine gave me his old first generation iphone and I set it up with SIAX for use with my gizmo account. It all works great, free incoming calls, cheap outgoing calls with customizable caller id info – what more could you want with no recurring monthly charges. Also – why does fring have so much delay – i liked the idea of my IMing and VoIP stuff being in one place but the latency issues are a deal breaker.
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