Jajah adds calling and texting to iPod Touch

(Credit: Jajah)

Internet phone company Jajah can turn the iPod Touch into an iPhone. (Download from CNET Download.com.)

The company, which competes with other low-cost Internet calling applications such as Skype, announced Thursday a new application that will allow Touch users to call and text messages using a voice over IP network instead of a carrier's cellular network.

All that is needed to start making calls is the Jajah application, the latest version of the iPod Touch, a microphone headset, and a Wi-Fi connection. While the Jajah service can reduce calling costs up to 98 percent, the fact that it must be connected via a Wi-Fi network limits where it can be used. For this reason, it's unlikely that the Jajah-enabled Touch would really steal business away from the iPhone, which is a full-fledged mobile phone that operates over a traditional cellular network.

Jajah plans to sell the application as a "white label" service. This means that it will license the application to wireless operators and non-wireless operators who offer it under their own brand instead of a standalone Jajah application. It's unlikely the service will be offered for free. Instead, service providers might offer the application for $10 a month.

The application could be very useful for iPhone users too, especially those wanting to make low-cost international calls from their iPhones. But it's not clear yet whether Apple would allow the application on its App Store, since it essentially bypasses the carrier network. Skype, which also provides free and cheap Internet calling, is not available on the App Store. That said, iPhone users can access Skype functions and users through other applications such as Fring and Truphone.

[marksramsey]

There isn't a microphone on the touch, how will this work?

[scaught78]

From the article:

All that is needed to start making calls is the Jajah application, the latest version of the iPod Touch, A MICROPHONE HEADSET, and a Wi-Fi connection.

[icallarlo]

Who's butt do they kiss at cnet to get you to write articles like this?

We've been doing this for 6 months with iCall... not to mention the fact that Jajah is NOT available in the app store. They're just hoping they will be.

[cctvgeek]

What are are talking about? Its been over a year and Icall is still not available. Even today its not available. At least they have a working product that you can use now. Stop promoting a product you don't even offer. All you keep telling everyone is it will be out soon. Please. Install JahJah on your iphone at least this will work.

[icallarlo]

@ cctvgeek

iCall is "in review" just like other game changing voip apps. Apple doesn't want good VoIP on the phone, they only want substandard products like truphone and fring.... the quality on those is awful.

Jajah is NOT available in the app store. What product exactly are you encouraging people to download? The mythical jajah for the ipod touch that exists only in press releases and cnet articles ?

[cctvgeek]

Did you say your app was in review on your first statement. NO. You question other peoples applications all the while saying you have a better offering for six months. You said you had icall for six months. Misleading people and telling them your service is better when its not even available for people. How would you like CNET to review your application if it doesnt exsist? As far as Fring and Truphone they at least bring something to the table that works. Your trying to release your product through Cydia now or some other 3rd party app. You have had this so calle software for a year and you cant even release it on Cydia. You keep saying your working on it. Working on what? You have had since october waiting for the App store. Not once did it occur to you that you might have to go the jailbreak route? That you may not be approved? WOW. Now your getting no love from apple and your trying to scrabble to release a product you should have released months ago. Your service is a has been before it even was.

[cctvgeek]

ohhh and by the way. Unlike on your facebook site. You cant delete these posts. When someone has something to say that questions you or asks a question you dont like you kick them off your site. Great business model. Hopefully people will read this and get an idea as to how iCall acts. Claiming to have products that are not available, false statments, bad service and rude conduct. In the end it always comes back to bite cha.

[ausernamenoonehaschosen]

You can do this with the app called Fring as well. And you can make 1 minute calls for free, which has its uses if you're cheap. (BTW, if you use Fring, be sure to dial 1 before long distance calls. it took me forever to realize this).

[fiver0013]

FYI, the Nokia E51 (and other moderate-high end Nokia E and N series phones) come with better functionality. Gizmo5, an open source Skype equivalent, is fully built into the software of the phone. In other words, you go to your normal phone book, click a name, and hit the "internet call" option rather than "voice call" one. Simple as all hell, works with quality superior to Skype, and provides much cheaper rates (3cent/minute to Japan). Moreover, it's fully integrated into the OS/software of the phone. I've used Jajah to make cheap international calls with my home phone, but on my mobile the Nokia/Gizmo5 combination is far superior. Use your WiFi at home or away to carry the calls, or you may subscribe to a data plan for use anywhere.

The above is great news for iPod touch users looking for phone functionality; however, those looking for ways to reduce their phone bills should steer away from iPhone and pick up an E series or N series model. I've seen the unlocked E51 under $200. CNet tends to steer away from reviewing unlocked phones, but I'm curious why they've never reviewed this functionality. Done right, it can change how we use cell phones. It has for me.

[seven7dust]

how groundbreaking ! seriously
even the 1st generation Iphones could do this with webapps
and now the app store already has Fring,Icall,truphone etc etc.
do we really need so many apps that do the exact same thing ?

[duane534]

My BlackBerry does the same thing, AND it seamlessly switches between WiFi and GSM. Oh, wait. That's because BlackBerries are real communication devices.

[tcr071]

That is great news. Congrats about your BlackBerry.

You have a cell phone. This article is about a freaking iPod. An iPod is a music/video player... didn't think I would have to explain that one...

[sgirard]

TruPhone is a phone-over-wi-fi app that has been available for a while for the iPod Touch. I'm glad Duane534 is so happy with his Blackberry. Way to go Duane!

[tcr071]

Why?? Everyone has a cell phone. The only reason I could see this being useful is a) You wanted to make cheap internal calls, or b) You want to pretend you have an iPhone because you are stuck with Sprint.

[DaFazzMaster]

They couldn't charge a monthly subscription rate, apps can't do that. You pay once, and that's all you pay. Take Tap Tap Revenge, for example. I'm sure they'd LOVE to charge for those downloadable songs each week (Like in Rock Band and Guitar Hero), but they can't. It's against the Apple licensing agreement to make users pay more than the purchase fee for an app. This article is flawed. We've had Icall and Truphone for a while now, and they work just as well as this. For texting, you just download SMS for Free.

[mikethebigo]

I have specifically seen on the Skyscape Medical App for the iPod Touch/iPhone that you can download yearly subscription content for a price. It is possible to charge monthly/subscription fees for functionality within the applications.

Technology is changing fast. By the time we are wellcoming 3 G communication technology. 4G has already been launched in Europe. Its reliance initiative that they made mobile set everybody's product. The cost of computer must be accessible to each and sundry. There is 7 intelligence microprocessor is in Europe computer. We are still struggling with dual quore instead of qudra 4 by now. Voip telephony shall definately have a bright future.
Surfing internet on mobile is 100 times worst than using it on desktop pc. Even lap top and note book give pain and discomfort for longer use of them.
So on its utility ground all digital phones are costly affair on your health as well as pocket.To our this venture we provide assembled computer just for a sum of Rs. 6000/- only.

[mafiaegypt]

TruPhone is a phone-over-wi-fi app that has been available for a while for the iPod Touch. I'm glad Duane534 is so happy with his Blackberry. Way to go Duane!