Turning the iPod Touch into a phone
Updated at 2:45 p.m. PST with Fring details.
Apple may have a new mobile phone to compete with--one that runs on its iPod Touch.
Truphone's app turns the iPod Touch into a mobile phone.
(Credit: Truphone)The MP3 player can be transformed into a mobile phone with the help of a free application from Internet telephone company Truphone.
The Truphone application allows users with a Wi-Fi connection to make and receive phone calls via voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, with other iPod Touch owners, users of the Google Talk's messaging service, and customers of Truphone's Internet telephone service. The company said it expects to add the ability to handle landline calls.
The app creates a virtual keyboard on the second-generation iPod Touch to dial calls, and requires the addition of a headset and microphone.
However, Apple doesn't appear to be too threatened by Truphone; the application is available for free download at Apple's App Store.
While the app could work with any device with Wi-Fi access, the company said it has decided to focus on devices with connections to an application store.
"We've decided to focus on devices that are Wi-Fi-enabled and have an app store," Truphone CEO Geraldine Wilson told the BBC. "For the consumer, there has to be an easy way of downloading an application."
Other planned features include the ability to phone and instant-message Skype and MSN VoIP users, and to check and set Twitter and Facebook connections.
Fring offers a similar service, allowing access to Skype users.
Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. Before joining CNET News in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers. E-mail Steven. 
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!
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.
Exactly what I wanted to say to ooooh5615.
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.
http://www.optimum.net/MyServices/WiFi/
I wouldn't be surprised if TimeWarner and other ISP's do the same down there.
Break the Wedge!
www.breakthewedge.com
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.
http://www.macitynet.it/english/aA35368/no_modding_needed_for_voip_and_recording_with_1st_gen_ipod_touch.shtml
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.
- by bgodkin December 10, 2008 9:18 AM PST
- Is there not a way that you can get blue tooth on the ipod touch?
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