Comments on: Turning the iPod Touch into a phone

The MP3 player can be transformed into a mobile phone with the help of a free app that harnesses a Wi-Fi connection to route calls over the Internet.

[Erictheruler1]

Wow so the Fring application that has been on the app store for months doesn't have the same capability?

[kc6hur]

It would be really cool if it were SIP or IAX compatible. Then it could be used any Asterisk PBX system or any number of providers.

[TechnoMan475392]

Yes...I use fring and I can sign into my Skype so I can call whomever I want to.

[SolGelos]

For the sake of non-technical users:
a) how will the ipod communicate with another specific ipod without having a telephone number?
b) can it already dial to mobile numbers?
c) What kind of ID it uses for communication?
I would welcome any explanation!

[scotinus]

It works like Skype. Instead of a telephone number you're identified by your IP address. However your IP address can change, so when the application is running on your device (or PC) your current address is registered with the service.

When the application is running other users can "phone" you using your login name as an identifier. Obviously for a typical phone user to call you they need to dial *some* phone number. Skype (and presumably TruPhone) crosses this bridge by offering a service where you can be assigned a phone number (for a fee). Any calls to that number then get routed to you via your IP address.

In short, any claim that this is comparable to a real cellular phone service is bogus.

[chowza]

I see nothing new or compelling here. Fring has been available from the App Store for awhile now, it works on iPhones and the iPod Touch, it is a Skype product that works with Skype, MSN Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk, Yahoo, and AIM and, with the purchase Skype credits, you can also call regular landline and mobile no's. In comparison, trufone is not even close...

[SHADuck]

i have skype out, a $100 global plan + $20 phone number. dislike AT&T, less so China Mobile and Telecom for its perspective monopolies. what is the comparison of skype to truphone?

[oooh5615]

Much as I dislike Apple stuff, would it not be a better idea just to use a true phone (I mean the iPhone, if you're into it) instead of jumping through the hoops of using a media player to make VOIP calls?

[MafiaPenguin]

While you're buying the iPhone (so u don't have to jump hoops), why not pay AT&T $60 a month?

[MisterLeek]

@ MafiaPenguin

Exactly what I wanted to say to ooooh5615.

[C433Z]

you might already own an ipod touch and, like others said, not want to pay $60 a month to AT&T. If you can get a voip phone for free, you might as well right?

[elmaestro_dotmac]

I would also wonder about Touch-to-Touch calling without any kind of phone number assigned to the device.

Another glaring issue is the reliance on Wi-Fi. I live in NYC and the few open routers that are available are slammed with clients and don't offer much speed anyway. I find myself constantly on 3G and very, very rarely do I ever find an open router when I'm out and about.

I'm also not sure that I'd be very jazzed to be tethered to a wired headset for every call either.

[mados123]

Living up in Westchester, I have OptOnline and they rolled out free WiFi for their customers.

http://www.optimum.net/MyServices/WiFi/

I wouldn't be surprised if TimeWarner and other ISP's do the same down there.

[Pennyspen]

There isn't bluetooth connectivity? I guess if I was to use an ipod, for calls, that feature would have to be available. Not worth it otherwise, well except for emergencies - cell phone dead etc... I am hoping to buy an air card and use Skype or other services with bluetooth technology while on a netbook. I don't need a cell phone & the internet if I can talk to others with a program that I would keep running nearby.

[ikramerica--2008]

Maybe the Fring people didn't pay the author as much to talk about their product? After all, headlines via RSS are very powerful advertising? ;)

[knicksfan3399]

Apple should make the IPOD touch have a network internet connect capabilities not juse WiFi and have them pay extra for that service. Giving people the freedom to have full internet connection without paying with the ATT phone service.

[Rpdron420]

That would be brilliant!

[nhm]

Truphone was the first VOIP client for the iPhone -- it came out very shortly after the App Store opened. I'm not sure why the author is calling it a new application. And as others have pointed out, it's not the only VOIP app in the store, which should have been mentioned.

[Erictheruler1]

That's not true. Fring has been around on jailbroken Iphones/Touch's since 1.14 before there was an app store. Just FYI...

[SpiritWater]

I don't know why Apple doesn't just do this themselves, or at least help the likes of Skype do it on their Touch.


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[Benlofton]

I think it would be stupid to download on your iphone first off. but very smart idea to make the ipod touch a phone. It would increase there sales in ipod's if this app works as well as it is said.

But the price to send a text message of 20 cents each. and you have to be in a wifi area would seem limiting to me.

Its all up to the consumer's pocketbook and how much they need a "Real" phone.

More to the point, what are people using as a microphone, since there's no built-in capability and Apple has disabled the mic in the SDK? Only jailbroken iPods have ever had working mics, and even that requires user modification. I've had Fring and Truphone since they became available, but they've been taking up space.

[erictbar]

My iPhones mic works fine with my iPod touch 2nd Gen. The 2 new earphones with remotes/mics will also work. Not sure about 3rd party headsets, but I assume if they work with the iPhones mic they will work with the second gen iPod touch (another thing the author forgot, this will not work on 1st gen iPod touches)

[vwtick]

Actually with the last firmware update the iPhone headset works with the 1st gen touches, Apple finally enabled the microphone capability that you used to have to jailbreak to use.

[vwtick]

I have to correct this post, Apple added support for dock based mics on the 1st gen touch, not through the headphone jack.
http://www.macitynet.it/english/aA35368/no_modding_needed_for_voip_and_recording_with_1st_gen_ipod_touch.shtml

[Seaspray0]

to make a call would require a wireless network, right? Pull up the wireless on your laptop. How many wireless networks do you find that aren't secured with some sort of security (wep, wpa, etc)? Sooo.... who has free open wireless networks?

[Walrusaurus]

Does anyone know, if it pertains, if this app would work in Switzerland?

Or is it useable wherever there is Wi-Fi. If so, this could be a viable option outside of the iPhone for those who dont need the internet wherever they go, and dont make many calls to mobile phone numbers, or landlines, like many Skype users do. Any help would be great.

Thanks.

[MisterLeek]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing this.

[jimslaughter]

I downloaded the Truphone app and was up and running in just a few minutes. The sound quality is as good as Skype. It's pretty amazing that an iPod can make phone calls. At some point I would expect them to open the service up to the PSTN and then it will be pretty cool to be able to talk to all your friends from your iPod Touch.

[mbp23_510]

I understand what you guys are trying to say but wi-fi isn't available everywhere whereas the $60 a month for att service its works without wi-fi haven't though about that. So say you wanted to make a phone call with truphone wouldn't you need uh let me see wi-fi service?

[bgodkin]

Is there not a way that you can get blue tooth on the ipod touch?