Softswitch Technology – Understanding Key Terminology

Softswitch Technology has made visible impact on the way telecommunication industry functioned. However, many of us, unfamiliar with the basic terms that refer to this technology, find it hard to comprehend it. Read on to get hold of key Softswitch technology terms.

Softswitch Technology is the buzzword today in VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) circles. The technology has changed the way industry functions for ever, replacing traditional switches based on hardware with software based Softswitches. This has brought down the cost of communication considerably and, at the same time, enabled converged services which were hitherto even unthinkable.

These key terms would help you understand Softswitch Technology better:

VoIP Softswitch

VoIP Softswitch performs the critical function of routing calls across different networks. It predominantly deals with calls from packet-based networks to circuit based networks like the PTSN. It also ensures that the service provider's network is secured. Several VoIP softswitches offer Network Address Translation and Port Address Translation together with firewall capabilities. VoIP softswitches can be customized to the specific needs of the customers. Internet Telephony

Internet Telephony technology integrates telephone services into computer networks. Analog voice signals converted into digital signals, are transmitted, and reconverted. VoIP is a common Internet telephony service. Computer networks are used to send voice signals and the information is transferred across the Internet in data packets. Internet telephony can also provide voice mail as well as other telephone services.

Conference Bridge

This is a new feature to softswitch technology, allowing the users to conduct conference calls. A VoIP softswitch conference bridge provides several advantages over conventional conference bridge service. Easy conference-call management is facilitated through the VoIP softswitch's web interface. A moderator can invite participants via email or an automated dialler, and prompt the conference bridge's IVR system announce the names as people join a conference call.

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is incorporated into softswitch technology to enable communication services such as Internet conferencing, telephony, events notification and instant messaging. The Protocol enables a full array of call routing capabilities to maximize performance in both small and large packet voice networks. Communication services can be delivered at really low initial and operating costs.

Class 4, Class 5

The class number becomes larger as the softswitch technology gets more advanced. Class 5 softswitch is more advanced than Class 4 softswitch. Broadly speaking, Class 4 softswitches work as the gateways, which interconnect traffic and route high volumes. Class 5 softswitches are PSTN to IP conversion endpoint. However, boundaries in the technology are getting muddier and several features of Class 4 are being dumped into Class 5.

Packet Switching

Packet Switching refers to protocols in which data is transmitted – regardless of content, type, or structure – into packets. Each data packet is then transmitted individually and it could even follow different routes to its destination. Once all the data packets reach the destination, they are recompiled into the original.

Circuit Switching

This technology enables two network nodes to establish a dedicated circuit. A limited number of dedicated connections of constant bit rate and constant delay are set up between nodes during the communication session. The method provides for non-stop transfer without requiring packets, making the best use of available bandwidth.

Rapidly advancing Softswitch communications technology has made things possible which were just unthinkable a few years ago. Converging a spectrum of services such as voice, fax, data and video, Softswitch technology has changed industry dynamics.

Read More

VoIP Softswitch - The Heart of the Voip Revolution

Many innovations within the telecommunications industry, one can hardly overlook the significance of the development of Softswitch technology. To gain a proper appreciation of the benefits of Softswitch, let's get down to basics of what this technology is all about.

What is a softswitch? A softswitch is a centrally located device within a telephone network that is used to link calls from one telephone line to the other, through the use of specialized software. The functions of the softswitch were earlier undertaken by hardware, with physical switches being used for the routing of calls.

The softswitch is generally housed in a building belonging to the telephone company. This is called the central office and is linked to other properties owned by the particular telephone company and to other telephone companies.

Softswitch literally implies the operation of switches made from electronic textiles a trend that combines the efficiency of electronics with the visual appeal of textiles. In layman's terms, the basic function of the softswitch is to separate the hardware and software of a circuit switched network.

How does it work? There are different components in the system that manages the different functions. The Softswitch is controlled by the Call Agent. This is a sort of administrator that regulates applications such as services, billing, signaling and routing of calls. The Call Agent has the capacity to monitor a number of Media Gateways over areas that are separated by considerable distance. This has become possible through the use of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol or TCP/IP connection.

The Media Gateway functions by linking different kinds of media streams to set up an end-to-end pathway for the voice and data transmission in the call. It may be equipped with a number of interfaces of different kinds, allowing for connection to different kinds of networks conventional Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN systems involving DS1 or DS3 (Digital Signal) ports.

On the other hand, it may be equipped to accommodate interfaces linking up to ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) or IP systems. Modern systems will also accommodate Ethernet interfaces for VoIP applications. The Call Agent directs the media gateway to link media streams between the interfaces, making it possible to connect the call.

The Media Gateway may also be linked to any number of accessing gadgets. These could be analog telephone adaptors or ATAs (Analog Telephone Adaptor) with a single RJ (Registered Jack)11 socket for the telephone jack; the Media Gateway could also be connected to a PBX (Private Branch Exchange)or an Integrated Access Device (IAD), which has the capacity to accommodate hundreds of telephone connections.

Normally the larger access devices are housed in buildings in close proximity to the clients for whom they are intended. All it takes is a pair of copper wires to link the end user to the IAD.

PBXs and devices of medium size would be suitable for use on commercial properties. Single line devices would be more suitable for residential premises.

Recent developments. The International Softswitch Consortium or ISC is attempting to upgrade conventional networks to enhance their efficiency and accommodate more softswitch features. So far there has been a limited degree of success in that the principal elements of conventional networks have been delinked. The transmission function of telecommunications networks is expanding to make better use of Internet Protocol or IP.

One aspect of the drive towards delinking is demonstrated by the use of specialized mediation and gateway equipment to link circuit based networks to IP based networks to facilitate the use of VoIP. Even so, there is much more involved in this process than simply delinking the components of the system.

The delinking of Intelligent Networks or IN has only been partially successful. This has fallen short of the expectations of those who support softswitch technology. They claimed that the separation of the components of intelligent networks would provide better scope for the inclusion of more services.

The general feeling is that Intelligent Networks would not harmonize with call controls that are dependent on activation by voice. It was felt that new controls would be required which could be based on sessions and be receptive to multimedia services as well as voice and data applications.

Another initiative with a similar objective has been undertaken by the Internet Engineering Task Force or IETF to stipulate the potential for networks that combine features of Internet Protocol and Intelligent Networks. The goal of such endeavors is to create a softswitch that does not operate on circuit-based switches and that makes use of intelligence and logic-based features.

The dispersal of functional tasks will result in improved efficiency and cost effective operation. The function of switches will then be restricted to switching alone, while other components will be geared to furnish service logic and network monitoring. The dispersal of service logic implies that there will be greater flexibility in the development and deployment of applications and services at different locations within a network.

Rocky road ahead? Nevertheless, it is expected that there may be some problems along the way. For one thing, more conventional service providers have their reservations about going along with the initiative to advance Softswitch technology. Apart from that, Softswitch will have to be integrated with conventional networks since Softswitch will not become functional everywhere at the same time.

Another factor that is causing concern is that there may be special requirements to enable dissimilar networks to function together. Such requirements will involve issues such as verification and endorsement of network components and applications. Conventional networks utilize protocols such as SS7 to manage these functions. However, as networks become more and more sophisticated, these issues will also become far more complex.

Companies investing in Softswitch can avail of various advantages offered by this technology. One of the most important of these is the de-linking of call processing functions from the process of physical switching monitored by the Media Gateway. This kind of separation of functions allows a single software platform to be utilized for different kinds of media.

Apart from the fact that Softswitch offers scope for greater adaptability, it also enables less prominent vendors with greater potential to concentrate on the application of their choice. However, as a result of reservations about the reliability and financial implications of deploying this technology, migration has taken place in stages. Since the majority of recognized carriers have made a substantial investment in TDM or time division multiplexing technology, they are hesitant about replacing it with Softswitch unless it proves to be more economical.

Read More

VoIP Softswitch Advantages To VoIP Providers

A VoIP softswitch is the most crucial and important factors in any VoIP business. Covering all the major roles in connecting and routing calls, a softswitch carries out all main functionalities within a VoIP business. Being a more advanced and capable system, the softswitch, apart from its main purpose, even contains various other features within it. This makes for a more feature rich yet, simplified software for VoIP providers.

For a VoIP provider the advantages that a softswitch brings are numerous. Being an innovative and advanced way of running a VoIP business, the VoIP softswitch is more than just software.

# Replacement for Older Physical Switchboards

The Softswitch is definitely an upgrade from the older switchboard in many ways. With a softswitch being software, the users can easily install it unto their server and start using it straight away. Another upgrade is the fact that by using a softswitch, the users can assign and route calls from there server while using the softswitch application, when compared to manually connecting each call. Once assigned, the softswitch carries out its duties and does not require a frequent change every time a customer wants to make a call.

# No Additional Hardware Required

Being software, the softswitch does not require any additional hardware to run. By simply installing the software onto the server (system), the VoIP provider can then use the softswitch to run their business. Unlike the traditional switchboard, the softswitch does not require any additional purchases to be made, a onetime investment can be made, leading to which the users can directly start availing its benefits.

# Cost & UI (User Interface)

The cost to own and run a softswitch is also far lesser. Instead of having a huge set of devices laid out and an operator to manually assign calls; they deliver all these facilities within a cheaper budget. The UI of a softswitch is simple as it explains the basic functionalities and operations in the most convenient way possible.

# Billing

An additional task that the softswitch handles is the billing facility. By being able to generate accurate invoices straight from the softswitch software, the users do not have to manually enter down details and form an invoice of their own. An Invoice directly based of the calls that have occurred through the softswitch can be pulled out saving time, energy and money.

# No Additional Hiring of Employees (or) Services

With the softswitch doing all the needed functionalities and duties more than what has been expected of it, a company can avoid hiring resources or service for those tasks. As the tasks that have been done by the softswitch are numerous the need to have separate employees run those particular task is a waste of time and money.

# Flexible Management options

The softswitch usually comes with a flexible management option for its users. This gives companies a wider range of options to pick from to choose the services best suited for them. With option such as Managed and Hosted softswitch, the users can use the software irrelevant of the fact if they have a server of their own or not. With the Hosted service, user can buy the software, run it on the provider's server, and use it straight from there, whereas the Managed service is completely owned by the users, and the software is installed onto their own server.

The softswitch is a definite upgrade and advancement in the VoIP field as it brings together many features and covers numerous functionalities within it. Hence, it is perceived to be a very helpful tool for VoIP providers, and those dealing with VoIP.

Read More

How to find the best VOIP softswitch

Thinking about starting a business as a VoIP provider, then one of the first things to consider on your path will be purchasing a softswitch platform. Now that there are more companies on the market that offer such specialist products, which of these offers will be the most professional and will meet your even the highest expectations?

If you work in the VoIP phone industry, then you would have surely heard of the popular Class 4 or 5 softswitches. But what do they do? The main task of Class4 platformsis to maintain high traffic levels for long distance calls. Within its standard features are billing, transcoding and protocol support and conversion. Using the Class 5 platform you can go one step further. It not only has all the features mentioned above, but also dial tone, IVR functionalities, local switching and access to the rest of the network. Its main task is to work for the end-user; so you can add modules to this switch such as IP PBX, Calling Cards Module, Callshop, Callback and many others. When choosing the platform, you should firstly think about how you want your business to work. If you find yourself working directly with retail clients, then go for Class 5.

Built in billing system

Currently, some VoIP software providers can offer you a softswitch augmented with a billing system. It is worth finding such a solution, because this feature will significantly advance your everyday work. Thanks to the billing system it will be easy for you to set up call rates for the end-user and create different tariffs, which you will be able to adapt to different types of customer. In addition you'll be able to simply control your users' payments.

No extra hardware needed

Pay extra attention to the fact that when you purchase a VoIP system, you will also need to invest in additional hardware and software. Typically, to start a business in the VoIP industry, you need no more than a server with an internet connection. If you decide on a rental solution, you do not even need these things

Managing modules available

Conducting business as an Internet telecom provider should not cause you any major problems. Convenient control modules should allow you to easily and intuitively manage the whole system. Using them, you can create your end-users' accounts and control their payments. Make sure you ask for a management module that works online, so you can use itthrougha browser on your PC,a Smartphone or even a tablet. This will give you full control over your clients, regardless of your location.

Freedom of choosing

Whether you want to offer Calling Cards or you are planning to open a Callshop, your softswitch should allow you to attach the appropriate modules to adjust the system into your business profile. The most frequently chosen modules are IP PBX, Calling Cards, Callback, and Call Shop. Most professional companies will offer you a set of additional features too, so you could expand your VoIP business in any direction and advise which of them will be the most suitable for you. They will also offer you the appropriate softphones and other necessary applications and patiently answer all your questions or concerns.

Read More

Beejive apk

Requirements: Android 2.1 and up

Overview: Instant message, chat, & IM on AIM, Yahoo, GTalk, MySpace, Jabber, Facebook, MSN

Instant message, chat, & IM on AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, GTalk, MySpace, Jabber, Facebook, MSN (Windows Live Messenger or WLM). BeejiveIM is an IM app that allows you to chat / instant message with all your IM buddies anywhere you go! Chat on AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, GTalk, MySpace, Jabber, Facebook, MSN (Windows Live Messenger or WLM).

Beejive's reliable and efficient networking has been tested and proven on multiple platforms. Move from cellular and wifi connections seamlessly. Stay connected after you close the application and be notified when you get a new message through push notifications (OS 2.2+). After being out of coverage BeejiveIM automatically reconnects and picks up where you left off.

BeejiveIM uses your phone's existing data plan or wifi connection, so you can save money by reducing your text messages.

BeejiveIM Key Features:

• BeejiveIM uses your existing data plan: no per-message charges.
• Reliable and efficient networking: be connected 24/7, and it's gentle on your battery.
• Be connected even after you close the application. Get notified instantly when you get a new message with Push Notifications (OS 2.2+).
• Works with multiple IM networks, multiple accounts per network: AIM®/iChat, MSN®, Yahoo!®, GoogleTalk®, Facebook IM, Jabber, and MySpace IM.
• Send and receive files, including pictures and voice notes. View and forward received documents.
• Desktop-like instant messaging with all of your IM buddies from a single intuitive user interface.

Chatting Features:

• Real-time chats: quick switch between multiple simultaneous chats.
• Group chats: chat with multiple buddies on AIM, Yahoo, GTalk, or MSN.
• Full Unicode support, chat in any language supported by your Android device.
• Landscape option, type with a larger keyboard.
• Chat history: Email chat logs to save chat history.
• Hyperlink support, automatically parses links for web pages, YouTube videos, email addresses, twitter usernames, and phone numbers.
• Emoticons support.
• SMS out, chat with your SMS buddies through AIM or Yahoo SMS out.

Account & Buddy Features:

• Manage your buddy-list, including add/remove, nicknames, groups, block, approve/deny requests.
• Sort/group/search your buddy list.
• Control your own availability, set auto-away and custom status messages, be invisible, change privacy controls.
• Configurable alerts, customizable sound, vibrate settings.
• Buddy icon support, view your friends' icons, set your own.

What's in this version:

• brand spanking new design!
• added buddy online alerts (buddy pounce)
• new SMS style text input in chats
• improved viewing of file transfer files
• ton of bug fixes & stability improvements!

Please report any issues on our forum:
http://www.beejive.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=10

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beejive.im
Download: Released by chathu_ac
http://rapidgator.net/file/31224388/..._v4.0.apk.html
http://sinhro.net/62p5tlqrp8j7/Beeji..._v4.0.apk.html

Read More

10 Best Voip iPhone Apps

Our smartphones do just about everything these days, but sometimes you still have to make a plain old phone call on them. And added on top of texting and data plans, voice minutes can get expensive. That’s where VoIP apps come in.

Because of today’s higher data speeds, VoIP is a legitimate calling option when you want to save money on calls from your Android, iPhone, or iPad. These apps work best with 3G connections or better, and many of them act as a great backup option for your business phone system.

A word of warning, however: if you frequently have dropped calls, you may have problems with VoIP too. When this is the case, you can still use your VoIP apps with WiFi to do away with that problem. Here are 10 of today’s coolest VoIP apps, listed alphabetically.

1. Beejive is a top mobile chat application that not only supports VoIP calls and multiple chat clients, but plenty of other useful tools. This iPhone app uses transparent overlay text so you can see your conversation and not lose track of your message. It also has push notification for up to seven days.

2. Fring is a straightforward competitor to Skype, but instead of offering unlimited call plans, it charges on a per-minute basis at very low rates. Fring can also be used as a SIP client, which can be used for initiating, modifying, or terminating two-party or multi-party sessions. Fring is a solid choice in today’s VoIP apps.

3. iCall is a favorite app for making VoIP calls, allowing free VoIP calling in the United States and Canada. With iCall you get push notifications when you receive a call. This app also offers inexpensive international calls, and users have the choice of using a paid service that skips a 30-second ad at the beginning of a call.

4. JaJah is a simple download that gives you access to services that integrate easily with your phone book. If you want to make a call, you log in and select who you’re calling. You can call JaJah users as well as Facebook users for free. Other calls are billed at low rates regardless of location.

5. The Line2 app has unlimited SMS and offers a free 30-day trial (and bills at $9.95 per month afterward). Line2 adds a second number to your iPhone, which is great if you want a dedicated number for work. You can cancel without penalty and the service is billed to your credit card rather than your iTunes account.

6. Nimbuzz is yet another all-inclusive app. It supports several chat clients and VoIP options. You can use free calling, file sharing, and messaging on your smart phone, browser, or desktop, and you can import your friends from Facebook, Windows Live, Yahoo, and GoogleTalk.

7. Skype is basically synonymous with VoIP. The quality is great, it’s easy to use, and it’s cheap. Skype’s iOS app does everything that Skype on your laptop or desktop does, such as making calls over WiFi or 3G. It also offers instant messaging and video chat. Calls to other Skype users are free, but you can add the inexpensive SkypeOut plan for flat-rate calls to anyone in your country who doesn’t use Skype.

8. Talkatone uses Gmail VoIP to let you place free calls on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch as long as you have a Google Voice account. Users find it easy to set up. You simply enter your Google Voice information, set your Google Voice line to forward to Google Chat, and you’re done.

9. Truphone offers both a pay-as-you-go plan and an unlimited plan. If you make lots of international calls from the U.S., the unlimited plan includes calls to 35 destinations at no charge. You also get low-cost text messages, free calling to Skype and GoogleTalk, free IM, and free Voicemail.

10. Viber is a popular app that does not require you to create an account, hand over your credit card information, or even create a username. However, to call someone free, they also need to have Viber. Your Viber minutes are only used if you call someone who doesn’t have Viber. Viber is ad-free, and you can call anyone in the world who has the same app.

Read More

Fring for iPhone

Interested in the Fring for iPhone IM client? Fring for iPhone is a free iPhone IM client, offering users a feature-rich experience and access to AIM, Gtalk, ICQ, Twitter, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger, in addition to free voice and video calls. Only available for iOS3.

Price: Free

iTunes Rating: 4+ (no objectional material)

Seller: fringland Ltd.

With Fring for iPhone, users can:

• send, receive IMs
• maintain multiple accounts over 3G, WiFi, GPRS and Edge
• make free voice and video calls (3G and WiFi only)
• enjoy Push notification
• real time status messaging

The Bottom Line: Fring for iPhone

Despite an otherwise enjoyable IM client, Fring for iPhone (at present) is extremely unstable and seems to have service which is accessible in the wee hours of the morning, if ever. Connecting to Fring for iPhone is often difficult, but I have been able to get in a few times during regular business hours.

The absence of landscape mode makes typing IMs difficult, and most of the time, even if you can get Fring to connect, the app seems sluggish. Efficiency is a real issue with Fring, unfortunately, for everything they advertise the app to be.

Fingers crossed that Fring gets fixed soon, and added to iOS4; the client could be a beautiful thing and a real competitor if only it worked every single time.

Read More

Viber 2.1.3 dominates Skype

Viber is the free mobile communication platform from the Israeli company. The new version of the app, 2.3, includes additional features and works on both iPhone and Android devices and is called the “fun” app. The question on everyone’s mind is if it is destined to be the next Skype.

New and Improved

The new version includes emoticons, stickers that can be added to text and photo messages, and an updated interface. It allows people to share maps and they can use existing ringtones on the Viber platform.

Viber Media announced that it has 140 million followers and is adding 400,000 new people each day. The goal of the company is to be recognized as a rival to the leader, Skype. While it is recognized as a great communications tool for friends and family, the updated version of the app adds a bit of fun for everyone.

Who is Viber?

Viber was developed and owned by Viber Media, a VoIP and mobile messenging company that allows everyone to connect for free. Not only are calls on iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7, Sumbian, Bada, and Nokia S40 phones free, but text and photo messages are free. It is used in 193 countries.

At the current rate, it is expected that Viber will exceed the 150 million user mark. While that sounds like a lot, VoIP users will be over 1 billion by 2017, which means that Viber still has room to expand and capture more of the market. However, Skype is not the only competition that the company has. Tango, WhatsApp, BBM, and others are also seeking to capture their share of VoIP. Of these, WhatsApp has been seen as the strongest competition with Viber as these startups seek to dethrone Skype as the king of VoIP. - source

Read More

Tu Me Free VoIP for iPhone

It's not often you see a wireless carrier launch an app that directly competes with its core services, but that seems to be just what the Madrid-based Telefónica is doing with Tu Me, a new integrated communications app for the iPhone. This jack-of-all-trades communication and social networking app works over Wi-Fi as well as your carrier's network and offers free VoIP calling, integrated text and audio messaging, and photo and location sharing. Of course, you'll only be able to communicate or share with other Tu Me users — the app can search your address book for other users, or you can invite friends via SMS or email.

In the few screenshots we've seen, this app looks better designed than we expected — there's a definite Path vibe to the overall layout and iconography, and all of your various communications are threaded by contact. It appears to have a nice feature set as well, though the VoIP and third-party messaging market is already fairly crowded; the text messaging component seems especially needless when you consider Apple's iMessage already allows for free texting between iPhone users.

That said, Telefónica says that Tu Me will be launching on Android soon, and while there are already cross-platform messaging apps available (like Skype, Kik, ChatOn, and of course Facebook's dedicated messaging app), Tu Me has a nice level of polish that might make it worth investigating. That's assuming that visual polish makes its way to the user experience, as well — and even then, we imagine it'll have a tough time against the entrenched competition.

As for how Telefónica will make up for potential revenue lost through the use of its app, the carrier notes that Tu Me is just one part of a number of "enhanced communication services" the company plans to roll out under the Tu brand in the coming months. Telefônica-owned carriers O2, Vivo, and Movistar will all be part of this rollout, though it isn't clear yet what else the company has planned. And while the app is "free to use at launch," the carrier also notes that "the service will continue to be developed with added value functionality," so it wouldn't surprise us to see a cost associated with some future features.- source

Read More

Viber offers free call and text

VoIP clients have been all the buzz really since Skype made its debut in 2003. When developers realized the potential behind mobile platforms and VoIP there was a race to see who could get the best quality services out there. Skype introduced its iPhone version in 2009, and while there have been other apps like Nimbuzz that offer ‘package’ IM services, Skype had the most success on the iPhone.

Then came applications like WhatsApp that offered free texting – BBM style. This was hugely popular because it was cross-platform free texting, simply using (a very small amount of) your phone Internet. Further, instead of using a separate account that you have to set up like Skype does, it relied purely on your phone number, and synced with everyone in your phonebook, so anyone who had the app could contact you without having to add them again.

Well what would happen if you combined the glory of free calling that Skype offers and the free texting and use of your mobile number that Whatsapp brings – the answer is Viber.

Getting Started

Viber is a free application that, once installed, will ask for your number and send you a confirmation PIN which you will then have to enter into the app. That’s it, you’ll then have a Viber account. No logging in! The app will use your number as your ‘ID’ and will immediately check your contact list to show you who else has Viber showing a little ‘Viber’ icon next to anyone who has the app installed. Simply tapping on the contact and pressing the “make a free call” or “free text” button will do just that.

Replacing the Dialer app, Forever

Viber’s design mimics that of the native dialer app for the iPhone to a tee, so much that they’re almost indistinguishable from each other apart from the purple theme that Viber has. This is because they want you to use this app as a replacement to the native app, and want to make the transformation as simple as possible.

When you click on a contact that has Viber on their phone you are given to option to place a “free call” as I have already explained, but you also have the choice to place a normal call, and this is what you do when you go to a contact who doesn’t have Viber. Choosing these contacts will place a normal call, launching the native app and using your normal credit (the same is also the case with texting). That is what makes this app so useful:in addition to providing you with the ability to call people from across the world for free, you can use it as your everyday dialer to call and text people who don’t have Viber.

Usability

In terms of usability, I don’t really have many complaints to speak of; the app is pretty quick, definitely quicker than when it originally launched. It can occasionally be a tiny bit slow when you are making a ‘normal call’ (i.e not using Viber’s free calling) to actually launch the native app, but speed has definitely been improving as the app has been updated and I am sure we will see that ‘lag’ vanish soon.

As for call quality I have found it to be pretty much crystal clear – as good as you are likely to get from a mobile VoIP app. Occasionally you get a poor quality line, more often than not it’s when you get a bad 3G connection but occasionally it happens on wifi and Viber indicates with a little icon telling you about your call quality. In my experience, call quality is better than using the iPhone Skype application both on 3G and wifi, but why don’t you just give it a try. After all – it’s free.

Background notifications

As you have come to expect with iOS 4 and the ability for apps to run in the background, Viber does not let you down. You get a notification when you get a text message from Viber or a missed ‘free call’ just like you would a normal call/text, so you don’t have to worry about missing a text or call, as long as you have an Internet connection you can receive calls/texts wherever you are.

Room for Improvement

After Viber added the greatly desired ‘free texting’ service in the Viber 2.0 update, it had addressed its biggest ‘downfall’ and for me there’s not much to complain about, but there are a few requests that I have.

The main complaint I have with the app is one that is likely impossible to address due to the limitations of the what Apple allows developers to control. If I have been having a few conversations with a couple of friends about something and some have been on Viber and some have been regular texts, then I have to keep switching from Viber to the native messaging client. It would be nice to have all of the communication run through Viber.

As I said, this is is unlikely because I don’t think Apple will let anyone take over texting and calling completely, but I might be wrong. Also it would require Viber having a free voicemail service as well which might be a long-shot. - source

Read More

Apples Lifting The Ban On VoIP Over 3G

A new iPhone developer SDK is bringing us VoIP over cellular networks. Few iPhone applications have that feature built in, but will the iPad get it as well?

Apple Lifts 3G VoIP Restrictions, iCall with 3G Support Available Immediately

iCall VoIP services for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch are now available for use over 3G networks such as AT&T wireless.

GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Apple Computer, Inc. has updated the iPhone developer SDK to allow VoIP over cellular networks. iCall is the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod Touch over cellular 3G networks.

iCall is a market leader in desktop and mobile-based desktop calling platforms, including its highly popular version for the Apple iPhone. Until today, restrictions imposed on developers prohibited VoIP functionality on any 3G network.

VoIP on the iPhone has been the source of many debates with companies such as Google being denied access to the platform and the FCC inquiring as to the restrictions in the Apple App Store; iCall is one of the few VoIP applications that has been permitted by Apple to operate on the iPhone platform.

With the latest revisions Apple has made to the iPhone developer agreement and Software Development Kit, iCall for the iPhone and iPod Touch now enabled unrestricted free local and long distance calling over 3G data networks. iCall with support for VoIP over 3G networks is now available in the App Store for download. iCall is the first and only VoIP application available for the iPhone platform that allows use over 3G networks. iCall for the iPhone and iPod Touch may now be downloaded from the App Store here.

iCall CEO Arlo Gilbert is quoted as saying, "I applaud Apple's decision to allow iCall to extend its functionality beyond Wi-Fi and onto the 3G networks. This heralds a new era for VoIP applications on mobile platforms, especially for iCall and our free calling model. I hope that now more developers will begin using our VoIP as a platform to integrate VoIP into their applications."

About iCall, Inc.:
iCall is a privately held company providing a free and low-cost VoIP calling platform that is currently available for your desktop PC, iPhone and iPod Touch. iCall saves consumers money on phone calling through ad-supported calling.

iCall was founded in 2005 by Arlo Gilbert and Andy Muldowney with the goal of providing low and no-cost calling services to consumers. In January 2006, iCall first released its iCall Free Calling desktop application. iCall's free calling network now boasts over more than 4 million unique downloads.

In addition to consumer products, iCall offers wholesale VoIP solutions and a developer platform through iCall Carrier Services. iCall's private network carries over 350 million minutes of voice traffic per month to destinations around the globe. - source

Read More

Making VoIP calls with iCall from iPhone

I’ll admit that I don’t make a ton of calls on my mobile phone, and generally don’t worry about how many minutes I’m using. However, there are those out there that talk considerably more than I. For those people I give you iCall.

iCall is a useful application which will allow you to instantly switch between VoIP and GSM calls. This means you can sit at home and use your local Wi-Fi network to make calls without using up valuable minutes.

No, the iPhone won’t be the first phone to take advantage of this sort of feature, but you can bet that it will be one of the more useful apps. This is said to already have passed the Apple inspection, and should hopefully appear on the App Store sometime after launch. - source

Read More