VoIP -- Engadget Mobile

VoIP posts

AT&T now allowing iPhone VoIP calls over 3G

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 6th 2009 @ 5:03PM

AT&T's restrictive network policies might have been behind some of the more notable iPhone app rejections in the past, but at least one major class of applications just got the green light, as Ma Bell just opened up iPhone VoIP calls over 3G. We can only assume this is the result of the FCC's renewed push for net neutrality and AT&T's argument that it's doesn't need new regulations to remain open, but -- what does this mean for you? Well, Skype on the road, for starters, but we're guessing a flood of interesting new VoIP apps will hit just as soon as devs can get their apps updated and submitted. We'll see how pushing all this more data affects AT&T's network going forward -- we're totally starting a SlingPlayer petition drive if things don't totally blow up.

Continue reading AT&T now allowing iPhone VoIP calls over 3G

Vonage Mobile iPhone and BlackBerry apps available for download

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 5th 2009 @ 6:33AM

You remember Vonage right? The trailblazing VoiP company is still around and appears at first glance to have instigated a bit of coup in the battle for VoiP calls over AT&T connections. Unfortunately they haven't, at least not yet. See, the free Vonage Mobile app just added to the iTunes App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch has been approved for making international calls over AT&T's cellular network (take that Skype) in addition to WiFi. Unfortunately, we're not talking about SIP calls over EDGE/HSDPA data. Like the rejected Google Voice app, if you're out of WiFi range but still have voice service then Vonage Mobile will redirect your international call (entered directly into the App or selected from your address book) to a local access number in the US -- you're then using your AT&T minutes while being charged Vonage Mobile's discounted worldwide calling rates. The app is strictly pay-as-you-go for the moment and will not give free global calling to those who subscribe to Vonage's $25 per month Vonage World plan -- Vonage says that will come before the end of the year. The Vonage Mobile app for BlackBerry only works over your carrier's voice network while the iPod touch app only works over WiFi, naturally. Also, BlackBerry users will revert to Vonage's lower rates anytime they make an international call whereas iPhone users must launch the Vonage application first.

[Thanks, Ricky B.]

Google refutes USA Today report on blocked Skype application

by Joshua Topolsky posted Aug 21st 2009 @ 6:03PM

While Apple was busy batting away the FCC with its litany of reasons why its app approval process is totally hunky-dory, Google was apparently having it's own VoIP-related firefight. It seems that an article in the USA Today which hit newsstands this morning alleges that the internet giant sought to block (dare we say reject) a full Skype application from making its way into the Android Market. The story claims that the application was neutered to become "a watered-down version of the original that routes calls over traditional phone networks" -- which would obviously cast a decidedly malevolent slant to the benevolent company's policies.

The story is surely fine fodder for a FUD enthusiast up to that point, but it appears (gasp) that USA Today may have gotten one minor fact wrong. Namely, that Google had any unsavory aim to clip the wings of the Skype app. According to company man Andy Rubin (on Google's Public Policy Blog), the "lite" moniker was only attached due to technical limitations of the Android platform. In his words:

Here are the facts, clear and simple: While the first generation of our Android software did not support full-featured VoIP applications due to technology limitations, we have worked through those limitations in subsequent versions of Android, and developers are now able to build and upload VoIP services.

As we told USA Today earlier in the week Google did not reject an application from Skype or from any other company that provides VoIP services. To suggest otherwise is false. At this point no software developer -- including Skype -- has implemented a complete VoIP application for Android. But we're excited to see -- and use -- these applications when they're submitted, because they often provide more choice and options for users. We also look forward to the day when consumers can access any application, including VoIP apps, from any device, on any network.

Note the jab there at the end? Okay, swell. Of course, even if Google had rejected the app outright, users still could have installed the software through other avenues, as the Android Market is only a suggestion -- not a mandate -- for how consumers should acquire apps on Google's platform.

[Via TechCrunch; Image courtesy eBoy]

Read - Google-AT&T-Apple fight over Net calls draws FCC interest
Read - Android and VoIP applications

MoGo Talk intros Bluetooth headset for iPhone, everyone else

by Darren Murph posted Jul 16th 2009 @ 9:03AM

At this point, Bluetooth headsets are pretty played, but it's some kind of thrilling to see at least one company keeping things interesting. Newton Peripherals is that very outfit, today introducing a pair of new devices that are definitely unique in a sea of me-too ear pieces. First up is the MoGo Talk for iPhone, which adheres to the back of your handset and keeps the headset nearby at all times -- think LG's Decoy, but a tad less elegant. Next up is the MoGo Talk for VoIP & Skype (our personal favorite), which slides inconspicuously into one's ExpressCard slot in order to a) stay out of harm's way and b) charge when not in use. Too bad Apple decided that these slots were practically unwanted in its newest 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros, huh? Both devices can be pre-ordered right now for $99 apiece, with shipments expected to begin next month.

[Via HotHardware]

Read - MoGo Talk for iPhone
Read - MoGo Talk for VoIP and Skype

T-Mobile steps forward with LTE voice standard, faces uphill battle

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 8th 2009 @ 5:59PM

It's still a shockingly open question exactly how the world's carriers plan on transporting voice over LTE -- which is something everyone who loves 4G should be freaking out about, considering that it threatens launch schedules and interoperability among unlocked handsets. A vibrant array of possible solutions are currently on the table, including everything from SIP-based IMS (which is already approved by the 3GPP, helpfully) to the controversial thought of leaving legacy GSM and UMTS networks live for the sole purpose of running voice. T-Mobile International is putting its bets on VoLGA -- Voice Over LTE via Generic Access -- by participating in the VoLGA Forum, which has just published the second version of its specifications and aims for 3GPP consideration later this year. The technology routes circuit-switched (that is, old-school) voice over data packets, but the problem is that there are a bunch of companies proposing the same thing in slightly different ways; Nokia Siemens Networks, for example, is working on its own proprietary standard that'll go head-to-head with VoLGA. Currently, T-Mobile's the only major network actively participating in VoLGA's development, though it apparently has the support of every major infrastructure vendor except Nokia Siemens. Whether it's VoLGA or something else, let's hope everyone gets on the same page on the double before everyone gets too entrenched in incompatible technologies that make roaming difficult and handset variety lame.

Skype not coming to the Pre any time soon

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 12th 2009 @ 4:26AM

Given Skype's overwhelming popularity and the strong push it's made into the mobile space with native builds for WinMo, iPhone, and BlackBerry (never mind the more generic Java client and the actual freaking Skypephone itself), you might think that the company would be itching to roll out a client for the buzzworthy Pre -- but it's not to be, at least not in the short term. Speaking to GigaOM, a company spokesperson has said that it'll "continue to keep [its] eye on Palm's Pre and webOS platform," but for now, there's nothing to announce. In other words, these guys are more concerned about hard numbers than they are raw buzzworthiness, and let's be honest -- it's not like they're hard up to sign on new users, so for now, we don't think the lack of a Pre client is going to hurt anyone in the pocketbook.

[Via PhoneArena]

3 UK promises free mobile Skype calls until the end of time

by Ross Miller posted Apr 25th 2009 @ 7:44PM

While most carriers are having quite a tift about Skype intruding on their territory, UK-based 3 is letting customers use unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls and messages without any extra fees. The new rules start May 1st for any compatible 3 headset, and later this summer it'll expand to every 3G phone on the network. The company says it sees the initiative as a win to everyone, not just the customers, as the hope is it'll lessen calls to people on other networks, which carries a hefty Mobile Termination Rate fee. Whatever the reasons, we're just happy to see at least one company embracing the VoIP service. We (and Nokia) can only hope this move is somehow contagious.

[Via GigaOM]

Carriers could be forced by EU to support VoIP services

by Darren Murph posted Apr 13th 2009 @ 7:18AM

We've seen it time and time again -- carriers using their power to strong-arm consumers into paying services that could very well be free. Over in Europe, the almighty EU is considering "binding guidelines" that could force wireless operators to allow VoIP services such as Skype to run over their cellular networks. It should be noted that all of this is still very preliminary at the moment, but if the Union can somehow force carriers to support these so-called "innovative services," we could see a very favorable (for consumers, anyway) domino effect. As it stands, each EU country has the ability to decide individually on how they deal with blocked internet services, but obviously an EU-wide mandate would seriously shake things up. Or cause unstoppable riots, one.

[Via Electronista]

Skype for iPhone goes live in Japan

by Darren Murph posted Mar 30th 2009 @ 12:31PM

When they said "Tuesday," they meant it. Not long ago, the clock struck midnight in the Land of the Rising Sun, and sure enough, the bona fide Skype application (v1.0.0.63) for Apple's iPhone has gone live. It's absolutely free to download, and early reports from Japan have been pretty stellar in regard to sound quality. We're fully expecting it to roll out elsewhere as Tuesday (March 31st) arrives in various time zones, so make sure you (and at least one Skype buddy) stay up late to try 'er out. [Warning: iTunes read link may not work for all time zones yet.]

[Via Engadget Japanese]

Gallery: Skype for iPhone goes live in Japan

Skype App coming to iPhone on Tuesday, Blackberry in May

by Thomas Ricker posted Mar 30th 2009 @ 7:50AM

It's legit; Skype is coming to the iPhone on Tuesday, BlackBerry devices in May. While we've seen plenty of Skype-capable apps on the iPhone, the poor, often echo-infected calls should be easily bested by the official Skype App that doesn't need the extra audio transcoding workaround required by the existing crop of unofficial apps. The Skype app works over WiFi only (not over EDGE or 3G data) and supports calls to SkypeOut contacts in addition to many of the other features you've used from the desktop client. iPod touch owners will require earphones with an embedded mic to talk. CNET has a hands-on preview of the App just as long as you can muster the energy required to hit the read link below.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Skype for iPhone coming soon?

by Darren Murph posted Mar 26th 2009 @ 2:57PM

We're still filing this away in the rumor folder for now, but we'll be honest -- this is totally believable. GigaOM has it on authority that a bona fide Skype for iPhone client will be launched as early as next week, and with CTIA kicking off on April 1st, we'd say the timing is just about ideal. Of course, we've already seen a variety of alternatives for bringing Skype and other VoIP apps to Apple's darling, but by and large, they've been supremely unimpressive. There's no word on pricing (we're crossing our fingers for free) or any other tasty tidbits, but you can bet we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more.

Zer01 is the new, contract-less MVNO that will bring VOIP to the mobile masses

by Tim Stevens posted Mar 13th 2009 @ 7:59AM

2008 marked the end for many a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), most going under in a flood of bankruptcies or getting consumed but their parent networks. It sure seems like no company in its right mind would want to wade back into that graveyard, but Zer01 is thinking differently, pledging to launch a new network within a network next month at CTIA 2009. Its services will be provided by AT&T, but it'll undercut the competition with a combination of a $69.95 monthly unlimited voice and data plan and a complete lack of contracts, as well as unlimited international calling (to 40 countries) for just an extra $10. What's the catch? The company will rely on a VOIP application for routing of all calls, and right now that app only works on Windows Mobile. That'll be a roadblock for many, and given AT&T's somewhat limited (and generally flaky) 3G data coverage we're a little concerned about call quality, but just the same can't wait to see how this one turns out.

[Via Unwired View and PC Magazine]

ZTE completes EV-DO Rev. B VoIP call on CDMA2000 system

by Darren Murph posted Feb 27th 2009 @ 1:39PM

It seems like just yesterday that Big Red was firing up its EV-DO Rev. A network in America, and already we're seeing signs of life with Rev. B. In all honesty, though, we've known about the next iteration of EV-DO (and the next-next, for that matter) for years now, but said Chinese carrier has just completed what it calls the world's first EV-DO Rev. B VoIP call on its CDMA2000 system. In other words, this is the first time a CDMA carrier has achieved a 9.3Mbps download rate and 5.4Mbps upload rate. The lovely part of this is that ZTE can upgrade from Rev. A to Rev. B without any additional hardware, thus paving the way for a quick commercialization in Q3 2009. Huzzah!

Skype coming to future N-series Nokia devices, N97 gets first

by Darren Murph posted Feb 17th 2009 @ 9:27PM

We already knew that Nokia was looking for swanky widgets to cram onto its swanky N97, so it's no real shock to see the suits in Espoo reaching out to Skype here. Starting with the N97 in Q3 2009, future N-series devices will come pre-loaded with a Skype client, enabling handset owners to save those precious minutes and dial up fellow Skype buddies whenever a WiFi hotspot is near. There's no word on just how far this relationship will go, but we'll at least let the cute couple round first before we start making outlandish predictions.

Verizon Hub goes on sale for $199.99 on contract

by Darren Murph posted Feb 2nd 2009 @ 4:41AM

We had a pretty good idea Verizon's Hub would be loosed on Super Bowl Sunday, and sure enough, the landline killing machine is now available for ordering. The device itself will run you $199.99 on a two-year contract (after all applicable rebates), and if you're still wondering whether or not this thing is even worth your time, why not have a look at our hands-on / impressions?

[Thanks, Carlos]