Way back at Macworld, I opined that Voice-over-IP (VoIP) could be one of the killer apps on the iPhone, but after having played a bit with Jajah.com, a web-based VoIP client that does seem to work on the iPhone, I’ve started to wonder if maybe I wasn’t blinded by the iPhone’s shiny exterior. The more I think about it, the more VoIP seems—except for certain circumstances—redundant on the iPhone.
But look at it this way: when you buy an iPhone, you’re pretty much obligated to signup for a two-year cell contract. You’re paying $60 a month for cell phone coverage anyway. Paying for VoIP calls on top of that is kind of inane. Now that most cell phone plans include nationwide long-distance calling for no extra charge, it’s not quite as useful as it is for replacing a landline.
Now for something like international calling, where most carriers charge you an arm and a leg, VoIP is a great solution. It usually costs a fraction of the amount that you’ll pay your cellphone provider, and it works pretty well. Likewise, occasions where you might be out of your calling area (in places where AT&T might charge you roaming fees), but have access to a Wi-Fi network, VoIP might also save you some dough. Finally, if you’re out of minutes on your plan for the month, VoIP might make a reasonable alternative for some calls, given how much most companies charge for going over your allotment.
So, while VoIP may be a pretty cool idea when it comes to the iPhone, I think I’m going to have lower my assessment from “killer app” to “mildly bruising app.” If, however, Apple ends up someday releasing an iPhone sans phone, then I can imagine VoIP being a pretty integral part of that concept.
[hat tip for Jajah: Sean G.]
As it happens, I've found that I have surprisingly good AT&T reception in most places as long as I'm outdoors, but often surprisingly bad reception when indoors -- particularly in my apartment (poor to No Service).
So some of us, at least, are anxiously awaiting some sort of VOIP on iPhone.
i never travel or call overseas, but wouldn't VOIP be cheaper for making those calls than using the AT&T network?
@Christopher, John: I think you've both hit on cases where, as I said above, VoIP would be useful, but for most people, these are not killer features: i.e., I wouldn't recommend going out and buying the iPhone because of VoIP.
I know someone who works for a large manufacturer of cell phones and is an engineer involved in the creation of a new phone that will use both cellular and VOIP.
The amazing thing that this phone will do, is to auto-switch between the two. The idea is to save minutes for you/the cell phone provider.
Example: You are driving home and a call comes in. You answer (via cell), but as you pull into your garage, the phone senses you home WAP and shifts the call off of your cellular time and into VOIP mode. Same if you leave the WAP area.
You can now talk at home, like on a landline -- but on your cellphone. The traditional phone companies will be "dead" -- why have a landline phone anymore? Your cell/VOIP phone can be used 24x7 for "FREE" at home (or any place with WIFI). And you can be in a cheaper cell-phone minute plan.
Will Apple have something like that for the iPhone soon? I don't even care on the auto-switching. I just want to dump Vonage.
I use Skype for all my VoIP needs. I have a Skype number local to London so my dad can call me to my cellphone in California. To him its a local call.
I'm confused. This jajah uses voip technology, but it doesn't appear to in the way that most think would be the killer app. The killer app would be as described by another commenter - your phone uses VOIP **INSTEAD** of your cell connection. Totally bypass the AT&T voice network.
Jajah appears to work by giving it two phone numbers to connect, it then calls both numbers to connect the call over the internet via VOIP, but the problem here is, that to use it on your iPhone, you have to give your iPhone phone number, which means the Jajah service is going to connect your end of the call over your AT&T voice/cell network? What's the point? You might as well just call direct, as you're still using minutes, right?
For VOIP to be the killer app, it needs to be Skype(-like) in that it totally goes over the EDGE/WiFi data network without using up your cellular minutes.
Cell network operators may charge an arm and a leg for international calls but that is not the case with AT&T. For a fee of $4/month they offer very competitive prices for Europe at least. For example, Greece is 9c/min (Skype VoIP is 2c/min). If I had Skype for iPhone I would use that but what AT&T charge on wireless is the next best thing: it is the same as AT&T long distance charge me at my fixed line at home.
This already exists - its the T-mobile hotspot@home service. More info at:
http://tinyurl.com/38owwn
Cheers!
I must admit that before the iPhone was released, I was expecting some sort of software that would allow you call via the internet. All of my friends and family are in Europe, so this would obviously represent major savings for me if I could use a system like Skype with the iPhone.
Not only am I disappointed, but I am shocked that this problem has not even been addressed.
My question is, will Apple ever include an update, or perhaps the software on a future iPhone for VoIP calling? Or if not, will iChat have the audio conversation option like it does on the Mac operating systems? To me it seems like all of this is quite obvious, but all to easy as it would affect AT&T's monopoly on the iPhone calling situation.
You an use voip here is how. Go geta Soonr account, the its allows you to access Skype through the net on your iPhone and call anyone, including people on your buddy list. Works great try it out.
Okay, but let's get realistic here. All I have to do is buy it the iphone, either a) don't sign up with AT&T and use the register hack already out there which leaves the Wifi enabled but the phone portion unconnected, and then use Jajah, OR B) use the pay as you go hack, so instead of signing up for a full plan you sign up for a partial plan, and use Jajah.
This is a killer app, and it keeps me 100% to 90% away from AT&T.