| |
Mobile
phone applications for VOIP
VoIP calling used to be the preserve of PC users, but with high speed
network connectivity offered by modern smartphones it is now possible
to make very cheap online calls using just your mobile and a dedicated
software application, or app. There are a number of apps that support
VoIP services on mobiles available and here is a quick examination
of the leading players.
Skype
Skype is already a top name in the desktop VoIP industry and it has
brought much of its functionality over to various popular mobile platforms.
It has apps available for the iPhone, as well as smartphones from
the BlackBerry range and those which run on Google`s Android operating
system. Depending on the network provider you choose you can make
free Skype-to-Skype calls and send free instant messages to other
users over a 3G network connection. You can leave your Skype app active
to take calls whenever they arrive.
Easy
VoIP Mobile Dialler
Compatible with Symbian mobile phones from Nokia and with an iPhone
edition in the works, the Mobile Dialler app can harness either Wi-Fi
or 3G connections for high quality voice conversations and it is compatible
with many popular handsets.
Nimbuzz
This is a social networking service that integrates several other
major platforms in a single, easy to use interface. It also lets you
harness VoIP technology to make free calls to other users, just like
Skype and it has a presence on a number of smartphone platforms, including
Symbian, which is frequently used by Nokia and Sony Ericsson.
Fring
You can download Fring for a number of devices from different manufacturers
including HTC, Apple and Nokia. It lets you have both voice and video
calls with other users and like Nimbuzz it can be integrated with
other communications platforms such as AIM and Twitter. As well as
offering VoIP calling via your smartphone`s 3G connection, Fring can
piggyback on any available Wi-Fi connection if you do not want to
use up all of your monthly data allowance.
Rebtel
This is a relatively recent addition to the mobile VoIP app market
and it is currently only available to Android users. As well as offering
free VoIP calls, it aims to make the cost of calling international
numbers from your mobile much lower. If you leave the app active in
the background, dialling a number using your phone`s standard interface
will also allow you to make a call using the VoIP service, which means
it is seamlessly unified with the mobile and consequently much easier
to use on a regular basis.
TringMe
This app for the BlackBerry smartphone range has been a significant
arrival because it allows users to harness Wi-Fi connectivity and
preserve their monthly inclusive minutes allocation every time they
make voice calls. Since the BlackBerry range is a favourite of business
users it is no surprise to see that TringMe is marketed at enterprises
and organisations, although it is also available for individuals.
There are some mobiles that are sold by network providers on the merits
of their VoIP capabilities, with some 3 and O2
phones built specifically to house VoIP apps while having a relatively
limited feature set to keep the costs down, which means both budget
and high end mobiles can benefit from cheap VoIP calling. |
|
|
