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iCall Will Switch Your iPhone to VOIP Mid-Call
Posted by Gizmodo US Edition at 9:31 AM on June 6, 2008
A small VOIP company called iCall has ported their software to the iPhone, allowing users to reroute ongoing calls to their free VOIP service in a matter of seconds. The app actively scans for accessible Wi-Fi networks and prompts the user to transfer the call once connected.
It goes without saying that the service won't work over Edge, and will almost certainly not place calls over 3g data, but considering how much of the day many people spend drenched in Wi-Fi iCall has some serious minute-saving potential. iCall should be available as soon as the official App Store is up and running, and will likely be just as free as the desktop client. The makers sound confident that they will be listed in the app store, which provides additional confirmation that VOIP services won't be totally barred from the platform. See below for a Starbuckian demo.
[iCall]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
itchytooth
Posted 10:32 AM 6/6/08
If they also offer it through the OG app store, AKA Installer.app, it might.
itchytooth
Paradise
Posted 10:14 AM 6/6/08
starbucks has got to be the only place where they'll kick you out for filming but totally ignore somebody's screaming brat. oi.
Paradise
alexpr
Posted 10:12 AM 6/6/08
This is good news.
alexpr
Paradise
Posted 10:10 AM 6/6/08
so here's a question though. when you step out voip/wifi range does it automatically reconnect via normal carrier?
Paradise
Paradise
Posted 10:09 AM 6/6/08
this, is awesome.
Paradise
kaneshadow
Posted 10:43 AM 6/6/08
Yeah, AT&T won't try to crush this immediately.
kaneshadow
dagamer34
Posted 11:13 AM 6/6/08
Just one small problem, the iPhone's WiFi antenna SUCKS HARDCORE. Unless you're standing still while making a phone call, you could easily loose connection if you have to move around.
It's almost as bad as suggesting that pay phones are gonna make a comeback someday. The iPhone's WiFi reception sucks THAT MUCH.
Sigh. Please fix!
dagamer34
SMSDHubbard
Posted 11:49 AM 6/6/08
Holy hell, who brings their screaming offspring into a Starbucks and STAYS there?! Grab and go. Stop forcing your parental hell on the general public.
SMSDHubbard
OMG! Ponies!
Posted 12:30 PM 6/6/08
T-Mobile has been doing this for a while now. Innovation FAIL.
OMG! Ponies!
Paradise
Posted 1:25 PM 6/6/08
@OMG! Ponies!: t-mobile's been doing this on the iphone eh? no one ever said you had to be the first to the party you know.
Paradise
LindsayJoy's MBP is into S+M
Posted 2:10 PM 6/6/08
@OMG! Ponies!:
*Complete* innovation fail yes BUT
1. The iPhone *not supposed to be on T-mobile*
2. MOST important T-Mobile iIn addition T-mobile is called HotSpot @Home that you can use around your home or at a T-Mo Hot Spot, not anywhere.
But its okay Ponies! cause I love you so!
(Hits Ponies! with a whip over and over!)
LindsayJoy's MBP is into S+M
ludwigk
Posted 3:53 PM 6/6/08
@dagamer34: Do you have an iPhone? You may want to get it checked. I use Wifi with 5 different devices on a regular basis (MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac Core Duo, XO OLPC, iPhone), and the iPhone's wifi is on par with the Macs at least. Maybe all the wifi networks I've ever used (dozens, it's San Francisco for chrissake) were ALL good, but I'm not seeing this problem. Neither are the 20+ other people I know who regularly use iPhones every day.
ludwigk
OMG! Ponies!
Posted 9:00 PM 6/6/08
@LindsayJoy's MBP is into S+M: You don't need HotSpot@Home for the feature. The Curve has wifi switching out of the box and works anywhere, including any and all Starbucks.
The $20 fee for HotSpot @ Home includes the feature that when you make a call over wifi (any wifi, not just a hotspot or your home), you're not using your minutes. Great feature - too bad no one knows about it. I think that people would like that sort of feature.
Of course, all of this proves that T-Mobile doesn't know how to advertise. That's the sort of thing you want to let people know about if you actually want people to become customers.
OMG! Ponies!
theespacepope
Posted 10:37 PM 6/6/08
I don't consider it seamless if you have to go to a menu during the call to activate it. Maybe i missed something in the video though.
theespacepope
SayeedaSabiha
Posted 10:36 PM 6/6/08
This looks great, but how do I get it on my iPhone? the iCall site seems very low on details... can anyone suggest a source for the software for Installer?
SayeedaSabiha
z00k
Posted 9:50 PM 6/6/08
You may wind up hearing ads in your call if you use iCall. See this patent Arlo filed:
[appft1.uspto.gov]
z00k
techynottreky
Posted 10:15 AM 6/6/08
thats cool..... but i was under the impression that if someone owns an iphone in the first place they can probly afford the 20$ minimum 40$ max cost per month bill
techynottreky
jopari
Posted 11:15 PM 6/6/08
@theespacepope: The seamless part is that you don't have to hang up and call the person back, it automagically forwards the caller to your VOIP connection. Cool beans, especially considering that T-Mo reception at my house leaves something to be desired and the iPhone isn't Hotspot@Home compatible.
jopari
Groggy Banana
Posted 2:36 AM 7/6/08
This is one of the reasons why Apple's no-running-app-in background rule is a kicker.
You already pay for the first second when the other person picks up. That is, if you're not fast enough to go in the menu and activate the app, before someone picks up.
Groggy Banana
John Herrman
Posted 3:48 AM 7/6/08
@SayeedaSabiha: It won't be available until App Store opens. I guess someone might rip and repost to a repository on Installer after that though, and I don't know how iCall could prevent that from working.
John Herrman