Well folks, a day we have all been waiting a long time for has finally come. The new version of the iPhone SDK released today for use with the iPad has removed the longstanding restriction preventing VOIP traffic over 3G. This means you can talk over your data plan for very cheap and not use your expensive voice minutes!
Engadget was alerted to the development by iCall, maker of an app which could take an incoming GSM call and flip it over to wifi/VOIP.
3G Skype coming to the iPhone?
They added the following interesting comment:
Interestingly, iCall says its 3G-friendly VoIP app is available now, and is the first and only such app in the App Store — which seems like some pretty quick turnaround on everyone’s part, but apparently the 3G restriction wasn’t anything to do with the software itself, but instead a server-side block. We just tested this out and it totally works, and while we’ll be looking for more verification that the ban has indeed been lifted, it sounds like it’s time for some cheaply connected international parties in the streets.
Parties in the streets indeed. Can anyone else confirm this?
As noted previously, Skype has a 3G capable version of their app ready and waiting for this restriction to be lifted. Considering the quick turnaround on iCall’s part, it can’t be long before Skype and others follow suit.
Update: Fring’s client now supports VOIP over 3G
theboygeniusreport is reporting some rumours from a “trusty Apple connect” about iPhone OS version 4.0. According to the source the following features may appear in the upcoming version of the OS:
- There will be multi-touch gestures OS-wide. (Would make sense for that as the rumored OS for the iTablet is close if not the same as the iPhone)
- “A few new ways” to run applications in the background — multitasking.
- Many graphical and UI changes to make navigating through the OS easier and more efficient. We haven’t had this broken down, but we can only hope for improved notifications, a refreshed homescreen, etc.
- The update will supposedly be available for only the iPhone 3G and 3GS, but will “put them ahead in the smartphone market because it will make them more like full-fledged computers” more than any other phone to date. Everyone is “really excited.”
- The last piece of information is the most vague, but apparently there will be some brand new syncing ability for the contacts and calendar applications.
This has some pretty big implications for VOIP applications such as Skype.
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Company blogs are such a wonderful thing.
In a recent post on the Skype blog summarizing 2009 for the application, it has been announced that a 3G-capable version of the iPhone Skype app is ready and awaiting the Apple go-ahead for deployment. No real word on when that’ll happen, but it’s nice to know Skype is ready. The second piece of the Skype/iPhone puzzle – push notifications – is also on the radar:
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Well, Wind Mobile is here, and while people seem generally excited about their plans and service so far, the phone selection leaves a little bit to be desired. So what really is available, what is coming, and what about the iPhone?
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The truphone blog is carrying a story originating at cnet about British mobile network 3’s offer of a free 8 GB iPod touch, and a mobile 3g wireless hotspot with 5GB of data for £24 ($42 CAD) a month on a 2 year contract.
This is an interesting option because it allows the use of VOIP apps such as skype, truphone, fring, etc to use the 3G network without any workarounds or jailbreaking as the 3G hotspot creates a wifi network which the iPod connects to. As far as the iPod is concerned, it is connecting via wifi, and it doesn’t know that this wifi signal is then flipped over to the 3G network on the other side of the device. This is also the first instance of a mobile company actually marketing the iPod touch as a phone for use with 3G.
The device is the Novatel Mifi, the same device offered in the US with Sprint and Verizon, and here in Canada now with the Bell and Telus HSPA+ networks. A wifitalk.ca summary of these options is in the works so stay tuned.
Story @ financialpost
Competition in the cellular phone market is always good and is why I have included this story. A good option for VOIP users could be to get an iPhone on a “cheap” minutes plan (ideally pay-as-you-go), and get a good data add-on. One could then use Fring/Skype or some other VOIP service through the data plan for cheap calling and long distance, perhaps even using it on a wifi network if/when available.
Not to be left out, the devs at Fring are hard at work on adding 3G capabilities to their application, hoping to be ready to submit a 3G-capable app as soon as Apple opens it up officially.
Exciting times.
The Associated Press is reporting on Apple’s response to AT&T’s opening up of their 3G network to VOIP apps.
“We are very happy that AT&T is now supporting VOIP applications,” said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris. “We will be amending our developer agreements to get VOIP apps on the App Store and in customers’ hands as soon as possible.”
We should now start to see a host of VOIP apps popping up on the app store, with an updated skype client as one of them.
The Washington Post is reporting that AT&T may allow VOIP apps such as Google Voice and Skype to operate on their networks, including on devices such as the iPhone. This could hopefully open up the door to the (re)introduction of some appstore apps and features which would permit the use of non-cellular voice communication on the devices.
Perhaps it’s due to the suspected end of AT&T’s exclusivity deal with the iPhone, and they are trying to grab as many new customers by luring them with the iPhone’s apparent new feature set before it becomes available to the other wireless providers. With Bell and Telus getting the iPhone in Canada soon, we may see some movement in this area in Canada as well.
macrumors.com is also carrying the story, and there is usually good commentary there.
Update: It’s hit all the blogs now.
engadget
gizmodo
skype’s comments
Hurray!
The Globe and Mail has broken the story that Bell and Telus will be able to offer the iPhone starting net month, eliminating Rogers’ monopoly on the device in Canada.
We can probably look forward to some lower prices on data plans, and with the inclusion of several small new telcos opening shop in Canada, we could be in for some nice surprises in the next year. How much lower we can expect prices is not certain though, as the article states:
Even though the two carriers are breaking Rogers’ hold on GSM and the iPhone, the fact does not necessarily mean there will be discount deals on Apple’s device.
Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., demands strict terms from wireless companies carrying the iPhone, which limit the carriers’ ability to cut prices or differentiate their subscription plans significantly. But for consumers, the news will, at the very least, mean greater supply of the device as well as more choice in terms of service providers and bundled offers for other services, such as home phone, Internet or television connections.
Oh well. At least we can look forward to competition on the customer service front.
