Filed under: iPhone, App Store
Vonage releases VOIP app for iPhone
Vonage [iTunes link] today posted an app enabling cheap international calls using either Wi-Fi or the cellular network. Vonage Mobile for iPhone is free, but requires you set up an account with Vonage, even if you already have an account for your home or work phones. Users can use their existing mobile numbers, contacts and device interface to place the calls. Just use your existing contact list and click and dial – no extra steps. Users also receive real-time balance updates to ensure they always make the calls they want. The app utilizes your existing cell phone number so people recognize who is calling.
The app supports:
- Lower international rates than traditional carriers
- Lets you use your existing contact list without taking extra steps
- Uses your existing cell phone number
There have been a lot of negative comments on this app from people who are already Vonage customers and were looking for integration of this app into their existing accounts, but there is no cross-over between the two.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kevin said 7:45PM on 10-05-2009
So we can expect Google Voice app to be approve fairly soon since it was never "rejected" right?
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jb510 said 11:31AM on 10-06-2009
Mike that's been pretty throughly shown not true. AT&T said they had nothing to do with it. Apple says AT&T had nothing to do with it. Google says it was all Apple and AT&T had nothing to do with it.
I hate AT&T for lots of legitatmate reasons, but this isn't one of them... For Google Voice and Latitude the blame fairly falls on Apple.
Al said 7:46PM on 10-05-2009
I think I've given up on Apple
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Mike said 7:54PM on 10-05-2009
why give up on apple this is clearly AT&T I would think Apple would love to have you call on wifi 3G edge etc. this is Just ATT being "wooried about there network.
Andrew Warner said 7:55PM on 10-05-2009
Hey Mel, here are a few things work pointing out:
Pros:
- Calls to numbers in the US are 100% FREE. (I'm not sure why no one mentions this.)
- The program is snappy. It doesn't take nearly as long to load as Skpe or other VOIP apps.
- All calls you make from this app will have YOUR iPhone's number in the caller ID
- Call quality is very good.
1 HUGE CON:
If you get a real call while using this app, your Vonage call dies. This is awful. Other VOIP apps don't do that. Vonage needs to figure out a solution for it.
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fishbert said 8:26PM on 10-05-2009
"Minimum usage fee of $0.35 per month will apply monthly if usage is less than 15 minutes. If your account balance is zero, the call service is not available except for 1-8xx services."
Calls are not 100% free.
jb510 said 11:33AM on 10-06-2009
Thanks Andrew for that excellent review... Why didn't Mel mention any of that?
Vito said 7:57PM on 10-05-2009
Ummm, how about explaining how the app works Mel?
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mikehild said 12:23AM on 10-06-2009
Yeah, I was waiting to see whether it's wifi only or not but no mention of that from the author!
mel martin (TUAW) said 11:41AM on 10-06-2009
Hi guys. This was't a review, and we did not tag it as such. It was a quick notice that the app had been released, what the features were, and some of the drawbacks from reviews posted on iTunes. When we do a full review, we'll tag it as such.
Thanks for writing
Vito said 1:53PM on 10-06-2009
Mel,
Ok - it's not a review.
However, my point is still valid - you've filled the post with lots of info except, frankly, the most important and relevant tidbit - how does it work? VoIP? Call back? Without having downloaded the app I can tell you there is extra steps required to make a call from your contact list - namely launching the app itself.
You're presenting the info in an authoritative way instead of saying "From the marketing blurb...".
I know there's a rush to post stories and I don't think anyone reading this was expecting a full review - but at least download and run the app. If not, just say "Hey, it's released - check it out and let us know what you think!".
-V
Nikax said 9:22PM on 10-05-2009
...but I can't use my existing Vonage account, I have to buy another account from Vonage??? What makes this a good idea????
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fishbert said 8:23PM on 10-05-2009
Pro Tip:
The Vonage app appears to let you use a google voice number (any number?) instead of your iPhone number.
Just enter it instead, and make sure your settings have call screening disabled so that you can enter your PIN before the automated system gives up on you.
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bleaus said 8:51PM on 10-05-2009
So when can I get a Google Voice app?!?
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marcoiac said 8:53PM on 10-05-2009
why using this rather than google voice? no reason, really
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Jon said 9:19PM on 10-05-2009
People still use Vonage?
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David owens said 11:36AM on 10-06-2009
completely worthless to me. I make no international calls.
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Richard said 10:02PM on 10-05-2009
This works over the cell network? My recent experiences using an AT&T USB Mercury Connect led me to believe that AT&T deliberately drop your connection when they notice you using Skype, do they play these games with the iPhone's data connection too? Are they singling out Skype for special treatment, or will Vonage usage have mysterious disconnects?
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P924s87 said 10:36PM on 10-05-2009
Guys, this app is just rebranded Truphone. Lame!!!!!!!
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Douche La Font said 11:03PM on 10-05-2009
Hate to break it to the genius who wrote this blurb, but AT&T has nothing to do with what gets approved as an iTunes app. Yes, I know the conspiracy theorists psychos think otherwise. It's probably caused by the damp air in mom's basement.
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