I am still a bit surprised by AT&T’s sudden decision to allow VOiP over 3G. Happy but surprised. Sure the decision might just be an attempt to deflect some of the mounting criticism over lousy service (30% of calls in NYC are dropped!!) and numerous conflicts over apps like Google Voice and Slingbox. But no matter what the reason, I’ll take.

AT&T has had a good couple of week. First they finally got MMS pushed out to iPhones. Now 3G VOiP. What’s next?? Perhaps tethering? NOPE! Don’t expect it any time soon.

Here’s why…

According to a Wall Street journal post, when asked about the possibility that tethering would be rolled out soon a spokesperson for AT&T said that tethering remains unavailable. S/he stuck with the company’s prior comment on this: “Whenever we offer new features, we want to offer the best possible customer experience. For tethering, we need to do some additional fine tuning to our systems and networks so that we do deliver a great experience.”

Translation- “Enjoy your 3G VOiP, now go leave us alone for a while.”

The big news thus far this week is AT&T’s decision to begin allowing VoIP services to access their 3G network on IPhone’s. It is a huge deal. It not only opens the door to greater choice for those of us who use iPhones but, hopefully, it means the beginning of wireless companies loosening up some of their restrictions and letting our handheld devices begin reaching their potential.

If we, the end-users, are happy about the decision I have to imagine that people behind services such as Skype are jumping for joy. Well, they aren’t exactly jumping for joy but it is clear that they’re quite happy. For example the Skype blog has this to say — Continue Reading

Leave it to Michael Arrington to hit the nail on the head. In a post over on TechCrunch, Arrington points out how the recent approval of an iPhone app for Vonage merely serves to highlight the total nonsense Apple spewed when trying to explain their Google Voice rejection.

The gist… Apple said the Google Voice app was rejected because it

appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls…

All good and well until you take a closer look and see that many apps do just that. Numerous camera apps all but replace the “core” camera functionality. And phone apps like Skype, Truphone and the recent Vonage app have.. gasp… dialers of their own.

That’s when Arrington nails it. He writes… Continue Reading

Truphone just launched a brand new version of their Android application, giving it a completely new user interface.  Truphone 2.0 will be a native app on your Android handset, ensuring that it will run significantly faster while providing easier account management.

So what can you do using Truphone?  The main feature is that it lets you take advantage of low-cost VoIP calling.  The application works by making a local GSM call to the Truphone gateway, from where the call is then routed over the Truphone network.   You can also make voice calls to your Skype and Google Talk contacts, and exchange instant messages from MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, Skype, Google Talk, and even Twitter — all within the Android Truphone application.

Keep in mind that operator roaming charges will apply if you are abroad (so to avoid any wireless bill shock, don’t plan on using the Truphone app to call home if you’re travelling overseas ).

The refreshed Truphone 2.0 app is available Free from the Android Market or directly from Truphone.   Truphone applications are also available for Apple iPhone, Apple iPod Touch, Blackberry and Nokia devices.

There’s a new Trojan horse computer virus that may affect Skype users. Although there aren’t any widespread cases of this Trojan actually impacting Skype users. According to Symantec Security Response:

Trojan.Peskspy listens in the data traveling between the Skype process and the audio device, it gathers the audio independently of any application-specific protocols or encryption applied by Skype when it passes voice data at the network level. Essentially, it sits below these security measures, recording the audio at the Windows level—before outbound audio from the microphone gets to Skype and after incoming audio leaves Skype and reaches the speakers.

Finally, the Trojan contains a back door, which enables an attacker to have the stolen audio conversations sent to a predetermined location, where they can later be listened to.

Naturally the Symantec recommeneded solution is to keep your virus definitions up-to-date.

Symantec

Wayne got his ooma  Free Home Phone System back in March and did a full post on it, then he posted a special deal on the ooma the other day. I was looking for a new phone system that would reduce my monthly expense and, if need be, be somewhat portable since we spend part of the year elsewhere.

I ordered it and… two days later it is here. The system includes both the ooma Hub and an ooma Scout. More information on ooma’s site.

Why subscribe to a phone service that carries a recurring fee when you can buy an Ooma VOIP (voice over IP) device for a one time cost of $187 and be done with recurring billing. Actually I don’t mind the recurring billing so much as the enormous pain in the ass it is to get out of those recurring bills. It baffles me that companies can activate your services within 15 minutes of your first phone call – but when you try to disconnect you’re forced to call 4 times, wait on hold 30 minutes each time and then play the waiting game to see whether they’ll actually stop billing. The Ooma Core VoIP Phone System includes the Hub and one ooma Scout for remote extension. You’ll enjoy unlimited US calling without the recurring billing nightmares.

Logicbuy (Gearsponsor)

Shape Services, the well known developer behind the popular IM+ universal instant messenger has taken their first stab at the Palm Pre’s webOS platform with their IM+Skype app.  The app brings all of the typical features of Skype to your Palm Pre, including:

• – cost effective voice calls to other phones
• – free calls to other Skype users in the United States
• – instant text messaging with other Skype users
• – easy and intuitive interface.

I am thrilled to see the beginning of new apps dribbling into my Palm Pre.  Hopefully this is only the beginning of a long deluge which could eventually populate the App Catalog.

For more information, head over to Shape Services or type s4palm.com from your Palm Pre’s mobile browser.  IM+Skype costs $9.99, or you can pay a monthly fee of $1.99 to use it.  There is also a 10 day trial.

I’m not a heavy Skype user but I have clients who use it fanatically. This handy Internet tool lets you make free International calls between Skype users. It can be used locally to make calls and for an added fee will function as a regular phone line that can receive calls. This is a cheap way for overseas branch offices to keep in touch without running up a nasty phone bill. I knew there were some added tricks that Skype could do such as video conferencing and Instant Messaging. But horoscopes, games, faxing? Testfreaks has a nice layout of 50 ways to trick out your Skype service. Not all of them are free – but they’re worth a look for anyone using Skype (or just thinking about it).

50 Ways Skype and Connect You With The World

The New York Times first reported that the founders of Skype, Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, were meeting with potential investors in the hopes to buy back Skype from online auctioning behempoth eBay.  Now, it looks like eBay may be planning their own public offering for Skype.

Zennstrom and Friis sold Skype to eBay in 2005 for $2.6 Billion.  Since the purhase, Skype has registered over 405 million users who can conduct free calls with other Skype users — and pay pennies per minute to call non-Skype users.  Selling off Skype could be very beneficial for eBay, who could use the cash generated from a sale to fund it’s U.S. operations.

As expected, Skype for iPhone has arrived on iTunes. This free download allows you to sign onto the Skype phone service where you can make free calls to other users (WiFi only) or regular outgoing phone calls if you use Skype credits or Skype Out plans (in other words there is a small fee).

Instant messaging is supported between Skype users. Personally I’ve missed the usefulness of Skype. The “cheap cellular calling” train long ago left the station for me when I jumped on board T-Mobile with their UMA service that allows me to make unlimited calls over WiFi. Still, Skype remains very popular with company employees who travel extensively overseas as it effectively eliminates the outlandish international calling fees. Check out Dan’s first impressions over at Whatsoniphone.

Skype for iPhone – First Impressions

Just like nearly every business on earth, we’re constantly on the lookout for ways to save money during this economic depression. Recently I’ve been reading about a new device called Ooma. It carries no monthly fee (though you do pay extra for features such as second line, conferencing, enhanced voicemail and screening). In my office I use Vonage unlimited VOIP (voice over IP) to make unlimited outgoing calls for $65 per month. Voice over IP is a technology that allows for making regular voice calls via your landline phone using an Internet connection. Last week I installed Ooma so I can test whether the service could replace my outgoing Vonage voice line. Continue Reading

The news that Nokia is going to pre-load Skype to their N97 model due in June 2009 might be a salvo across the bow of phone carriers everywhere. Apple started the “hands off our platform” when they released the iPhone without a smidgeon of AT&T branding (though they did apparently bow to restrictions by refusing to authorize some applications). Now Nokia is following suit with an announcement that starting with the N97 that goes on sale in June, Skype will be embedded into the OS. The Skype service allows for instant messaging and making unlimited voice phone calls using only your phone data plan. Using a service called SkypeOut you can make calls to non-Skype landlines as well as other mobile phones for a nominal flat annual rate. Skype calling is used most frequently to avoid exorbitant international calling fees imposed by phone companies. It remains to be seen if Skype will be allowed on any model phone offered by US carriers. So far even Apple has barred its use though some third party applications such as Truphone are starting to appear which offer the service.

Link

Are you a Skype user who has been waiting for its release in a Windows Mobile 6.1 compatible version? Well happy days are here for you my friend. Today GSMArena is reporting that the latest Skype release is compatible with version 6.1 of Windows Mobile. Skype is the ultra cheap VOIP solution (owned by eBay) that many use to make cheap FREE international calls. Its key claim to fame is that computer to computer calling is free – and only slightly more expensive if you want to call to a landline or cellular phone.

Skype for Windows Mobile 6.1 via GSMARENA

Up until 3 months ago when I would play computer games (like Call of Duty 2 and Counter Strike) using just a normal pair of earbuds, which worked fine, but I wanted something a little better. LTB produce a pair of 5.1 headphones that connect up over USB, and they sent me a pair to try out.

Included in the box are the headphones, USB-to-3.5mm adaptor, driver CD and manual. There was a second driver CD taped to the outside of the box with newer drivers, but I just downloaded the latest ones (for Windows) of their website.

Continue Reading