iPhone App Enables GSM To WiFi/VoIP Switching

alias420 writes "You can save on long distance and air time with the new 3G iPhone. iPhone Hacks has the scoop on an upcoming iPhone 2.0 App named 'iCall', that will let you switch between VoIP and normal GSM calls anywhere in North America. You can check out their recently released video proof of call switching in action . This software requires no hacks and will be completely official. Here is a little quote from the developer: 'We are part of the Apple iPhone developer program. This is not an application for you naughty jail breakers ;-)'"

I am confused...

[ulash (1266140)]

... couldn't you do this anywhere in the world with a phone running Skype for Mobile [skype.com] or practically any VoIP provider of your choice using a PocketPC? Either that summary is way too summarized or there really isn't anything exciting here other than saying this is now possible on an iPhone too...

Re:

[mdwh2 (535323)]

or there really isn't anything exciting here other than saying this is now possible on an iPhone too...

That's what's "exciting" about it. Every feature or rumour about the Iphone gets its own story, whilst every other phone manufacturer is ignored. Of course I predict that there will be replies saying that this feature is somehow different on the Iphone, because it "Just Works" or something.

See, next we'll have an article about the next Iphone supporting 3G...

Probably not seamless

[bpkiwi (1190575)]

From what they showed, they are not actually switching the call, they are establishing a parallel voip call, then dropping the cellular call. This is unlikely to work seamlessly the other way around, since if you are on voip and walk out of wireless range it will take some time before a cellular call can be dialled to replace it.

iPhone VoIP SDK

[chrb (1083577)]

There's an official VoIP SDK for the iPhone [phonesreview.co.uk], so expect similar apps to follow from other providers. The only limitation is that you can't VoIP over the GPRS/Edge/3G data connection.

american woes

[kubaZA (676589)]

i suppose this is actually only "really" useful for americans. in other gsm coutries (at least in europe) we don't pay for recieving incoming phones calls. of course, making outgoing calls over wifi is pretty useful (especially considering the rates we pay for making calls outside of our own countries).

Doesn't do anything too difficult.

[Jason Pollock (45537)]

This would need you to take a new phone number, much like Grand Central.

Then, when the call arrives, the SIP Invite is forwarded to the application (if running), and the user is prompted to decide on delivery mechanism.

If the app isn't running, the call is connected. If at a later point, the user starts the application, the app registers with the service, and, if desired, the call is dropped from the mobile connection and sent to the VoIP link using a reinvite (probably).

This can be probably be done using Asterisk on the server side. The nifty bit is the VoIP client on the iPhone. Other than that, the service looks pretty bulk standard.

This definitely wouldn't need anything other than the standard APIs.

What they aren't doing is using the built-in Mobile Phone Application and intelligently re-routing outgoing calls based on the presence of a WiFi connection, the way that TruPhone was going last September.

I think they would have some pretty extreme problems constructing a business case around selling this through the AppStore. Apple's current billing and charging limitations pretty much kill it instantly.

"Naughty" jailbreakers?

[StarKruzr (74642)]

What exactly is "naughty" about using hardware you paid for in the way you want?

Value judgements on behavior that harms no one. Delightful.

I'm sure someone who has some amount of respect for freedom will come up with an app that delivers similar functionality soon.

n95 SIP over ATT 3G

[by Anonymous Coward]

i guess this is only news because its for the iphone, while other phones have done this for a long time. i have been able to use my n95 SIP client to make free calls over the 3G connection for a long time now. ATT doesnt seem to block that data traffic here in the states. unfortunately truphone promo finally ended so calling cell and landlines is no longer free. but for the last year i could do 100% of my calling totally free, as data, and not use 1 cell minute from my plan. rack up those roll over minutes:)

Should be built in

[mosb1000 (710161)]

If anyone has used ATT in southern california, you've probably noticed that it needs all the help it can get. It would be wonderful if I could use my wireless internet to make calls out of my apartment. As it is now, I have to run outside whenever my phone rings. More bars in more places my ass!

Check your Carrier's Agreement

[L4t3r4lu5 (1216702)]

Your carrier may make VoIP over data connections against the ToS. I know O2 in the UK do.

As it is, I have an E51 and use WiFi for VoIP calling. I may drop the tarrif altogether and get a PAYG sim just to keep the phone active, and for when out of WiFi range.

If I can't use the data connection I pay for without limitations, they don't get my money. Simple as.

Nokia N95 and Gizmo

[kurt555gs (309278)]

I have an N95, and Gizmo. If I want to make a call that would be expensive on the cell side, I just find a WiFi hot spot and use the Gizmo Voip program.

It works great, especially while traveling in areas where the the AT&T roaming charges would stagger a billionaire.

Not news, just iPhone news.

Providing you have a flatrate data plan

[SplatMan_DK (1035528)]

so in theory you could us an all data plan and use skype for your outgoing calls.

Provided you have a flat-rate data plan with a price tag small enough to actually make your scenario work. Which will not be all that common for the iPhone 2. Telcos are not stupid. They will identify the exact amount of data transfer which is precisely enough for "regular" customers to never actually reach it, but no where near enough to use the device for streaming, VoIP, or similar services/technologies.

A normal smartphone users spends around 100 megs a month. Including constant syncs with his company exchange server. An advanced smartphone user spends about the double of that. The iPhone 2 will be launched with a 300 meg data plan. Not flat-rate. Coincidence? I think not.

300 megs is more than enough for just about every "normal" smartphone user. But not enough to throw in VoIP, radio-streaming on the road, or mobile pr0n.

- Jesper

Re:

[amRadioHed (463061)]

300 megs is more than enough for just about every "normal" smartphone user. But not enough to throw in VoIP, radio-streaming on the road, or mobile pr0n.

That's what they think. Ascii pr0n FTW!

Re:Carefull now ...

[chrb (1083577)]

VoIP calling is only over Wifi, so the data tariff limitations are irrelevant - the SDK simply doesn't allow call switching over non-Wifi data connections.

Re:

[SplatMan_DK (1035528)]

the SDK simply doesn't allow call switching over non-Wifi data connections.

Interesting. I didn't know that.

But if all new iPhones were sold with true flat-rate data, your can be sure that someone would create an app for hacked iPhones doing exactly that: call switching over 3G/HSDPA connections... ;-)

For the telcos, the only way to fight the problem is to ensure that the dataflow is too expensive - making normal calls a more attractive choice.

- Jesper

Re:Carefull now ...

[fdobbie (226067)]

Actually, first hand experience of making calls over 3G (HSDPA) packet data connections using Fring on Three [three.co.uk] shows that call quality is terrible. Admittedly this was in central London, where cells may be quite heavily contended, but once people actually start using 3G you can quite regularly see bursts of latency - causing the throughput to go through the floor.

You get a guaranteed QoS with a proper voice call. You do not with packet data. In fact, Three's own "Skype" service is based on iSkoot, which does uses packet data for getting the contact list, setting up a call etc - but it actually carries calls over a proper voice channel.

I tried fring over wifi

[yabos (719499)]

When I was at WWDC I didn't want to pay the $2.70 per minute(roaming) to call home so I tried fring with my skype account. It worked but the latency was terrible and the quality was only OK, not good. I was using the free public wifi at the conference and there were probably 2000 iPhones or more there so who knows, it could have been interference or something. I did however, try it at home and the call quality was still pretty bad. Latency was still kind of high as well but I was behind NAT in both situations.

Call quality

[IdahoEv (195056)]

Actually, first hand experience of making calls over 3G (HSDPA) packet data connections using Fring on Three [three.co.uk] shows that call quality is terrible

Wow. Given how atrocious GSM (and CDMA) phone quality is relative to good old POTS (or even analog cell technology), 3G VoiP must be really unconscionably awful.

I am frankly stunned at how many people are switching to mobiles as their only phone. When I'm talking to someone who's on a mobile phone - particularly if I'm on one as well - I am constantl

Re:

[PitaBred (632671)]

As someone who has a mobile as my only phone, I just don't use the phone that often. It's not important that I have crystal clarity as long as I can get what business done that I need to, and have a nice chat with my parents.

I've found that it really depends more on your device than the call itself. I can hear everyone perfectly well, and they understand me, as long as no one's using an el-cheapo phone.

Re:

[Firehed (942385)]

If they were sold with flat-rate data, there would be pretty much no reason to require call switching. At least in the US, the few areas that have 3G coverage have reliable signal. If you've got the bandwidth and you've got the reliability, why add in an additional point of potential failure?

I suppose something that would automatically re-route incoming cellular calls over the VOIP/data connection would be of use, but at that point you should just be giving out your VOIP number and avoid that whole proble

Re:Carefull now ...

[nmg196 (184961)]

I don't see why any of what you said is relevant as this software only works on WiFi and NOT on 3G connections??
Have you actually read the article?

From TFA:
"It promises seamless call switching between VoIP via WiFi and regular calls. "
and
"Apple has explicitly stated that VoIP is allowed, just not over Edge networks"

I'm not sure therefore, why you've been modded as insightful when your post is totally wrong - unless I'm missing something??

Re:VoIP

[antifoidulus (807088)]

They have. I'm a yank living in Germany and I get Telekom's "country select" plan to call home for about 3.5 cents/minute. However, you can tell that the connection isn't over the wire, its voip.....however they are still charging me more than skype.

Re:fring...

[Whiney Mac Fanboy (963289)]

Not really, Fring is pretty cool I admit but it's not fully there yet.

Which is better than this App - which is not there at all.

Re:

[yabos (719499)]

The reason it's disabled over EDGE is because EDGE is very high latency and low data rate. It would be terrible to try VOIP over it. Actually I remember when the iPhone voip app called fring first came out, the people at tuaw tried a call over EDGE and it was complete garbage.

Re:

[TooMuchToDo (882796)]

UMA a short-term hack? Hardly. Until EVERYONE uses VoIP, UMA will be needed. Also, unless the transition from GSM->VOIP/VOIP->GSM is seemless, it's a hack. UMA is seemless. Also, so what if the carrier needs to cooperate? Decent carries (i.e. T-Mobile) already cooperate.