Filed under: iPhone, App Store, SDK
iPhone SDK updated: VoIP over 3G now permitted
It's been a long time coming, but the last hurdle is gone -- Apple has lifted the restrictions against 3G VoiP calls from the iPhone Software Development Kit.The implications of this are pretty huge. Not only does this mean that VoIP apps like Skype [iTunes Link] can now be easily updated to allow VoIP access over 3G on the iPhone, it also means that the 3G-enabled versions of the new iPad should be able to take full advantage of VoIP over 3G as well. The iPad does come with a microphone and a speaker, so while you won't be able to hold the device up to your ear like a phone (although it would be pretty funny to watch you try), calls over Skype or another VoIP program should theoretically be just as clear on the iPad as they are on the iPhone's tiny speaker. This has the potential to really shake up the wireless industry, especially in the U.S. -- with pay-as-you-go 3G on the iPad costing no more than $30 a month, the iPad suddenly seems like a very attractive alternative to the iPhone with its far more expensive (and contractually obligated) carrier plans.
iCall [iTunes Link] has already been updated with VoIP over 3G enabled, and with all restrictions now lifted, it seems like it's only a matter of time before Skype and other VoIP apps follow.
[Via Gizmodo]
UPDATE: Fring announces the availability of their iPhone app, now with 3G calling and video.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jack said 10:58PM on 1-27-2010
Would this have any effect on a Google Voice app being allowed in?
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Sebastian said 11:04PM on 1-27-2010
Thats no longer an issue now that Google has a web app for that.
Jack said 11:06PM on 1-27-2010
It completely matters because the web app is horrible and lacks many features that a native app could have, such as access to your local contacts, etc.
Sebastian said 11:03PM on 1-27-2010
Regardless of the 3G VOIP restriction being lifted; combine the iPad with the $15 monthly 250 megabyte 3G plan, GoogleVoice and a bluetooth headset, and you have a killer unlimited cell type voice/sms plan that the cellphone carriers can't match.
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Digaos said 11:34PM on 1-27-2010
Only thing missing is phone or a VoIP service, since Google voice doesn't offer VoIP... At least for now...
iGO said 8:54AM on 1-28-2010
@Digaos
iCall.
It's in the App Store.
Plus give it a month ...or two
and we'll have 1000 VoIP App's
skoupes said 11:15PM on 1-27-2010
this is THE device for expanding the market... it works like the nintendo wii..
bringing new users in the game... it's apple's own trojan horse..
1) is the perfect machine for internet newbies.. my mother will LOVE it... no viruses no stupid flash ads and you can reset all with a restart.. no troubles all around
2) what an experiment for apple... to make their OWN chipset.. this is the best machine they ever made.. it has their cpu and gpu it's a FULL apple product.. intel and samsung are crying now.. let's hope that in the future we will see the cpu inside the iphone and macs
3)its the perfect book reader for this reason they used a 4:3 screen.. netbooks had 1024x600 believe me the 128 pixels in the ipad make a difference in reading
4)its NOT a computer.. its aa ebook media touchscreen device.. the competition still makes computers with touchscreens.... they make NOTHING new.. this is something that we see first time..
5)its target group is NOT YOU! they are not targetting to geeks or lousy pc users nor mac experts..
its a device for newcomers in technology..
6)its better that it doesnt have cameras and shits like that it would make it cost higher! 499 it's an ACE price and believe me the competition now are in MAJOR TROUBLE...
this machine is a gift from steve to all the people that would like to join the web revolution but they were afraid to try.. this is the ipad
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pax copia said 11:58PM on 1-27-2010
I requires a contemporary computer to work which kind of kills your theory as to who it is for.
I am very excited about the iPad (probably because I am not a iPhone user).
pax copia said 11:59PM on 1-27-2010
^ edit: It requires....
Harkonian said 12:49AM on 1-28-2010
@skoupes: You have several incorrect conclusions in your commets:
This is NOT apples own chipset. Apple purchased P.A. Semi in 2008 and the first offering from that former company is the A4 chip. The A4 is a system-on-a-chip (SOC) which integrates an ARM CPU & GPU--so 95% of this is ARM IP.
This is NOT the perfect ebook reader. It may be a decent one depending on what you want to use it for, but it isn't perfect. A perfect ebook reader uses eInk technology, or something similar, which has no backlight to strain the eyes, high-contrast display that is easily readable in daylight, and which can be used for weeks at a time without recharging, not hours.
CHRiS said 1:09AM on 1-28-2010
@Harkonian - Flawed logic you have. My Kindle only lasts about 12 hours of constant use; I do not have eyestrain using my laptop to read text for over 8 hours; I can use my laptop in a dark room or dark area of the airport without any eyestrain like on my Kindle; and since Apple not only purchased the company they purchased the technology and the talent, it is Apple's chipset now, no different than IBM owning Lotus Notes, and Tivoli.
hmlong said 3:16AM on 1-28-2010
"... high-contrast display that is easily readable in daylight..."
You mean the Kindle's low-resolution, low-contrast display that's ONLY easily readable in daylight?
Sorry, but 75% gray text on a 25% gray background is not normally considered to be "high-contrast."
HTCMogul.Info said 9:21AM on 1-28-2010
@pax copia: It requires a temporary computer to sync, but if you don't sync anything to it you can use it on its own. Of course that means you would have to buy all your music/video content from iTunes, but in your theoretical situation of having no other computer they would have no digital content.
The only other thing you need is the wall adapter so you don't have to charge over usb.
peterent said 9:10AM on 1-28-2010
Have to disagree on a point, skoupes. You said,"all the people that would like to join the web revolution but they were afraid to try".
Unfortunately, to try the iPad they will also need to buy another computer to sync it with iTunes. So if you were afraid to try a computer and thought the iPad would be easy - and I think you are right, it is ideal for them - they will have to buy another computer and deal with it. And that, my friend, is a deal-breaker.
Too bad the iPad isn't able to stand on its own. Perhaps V2 will be.
tbayrgs said 9:59AM on 1-28-2010
@Harkonian
Have to agree with CHRiS. Extra long battery lifen is great but unless you forgoe sleep to use your e-reader, the Kindles's battery life advanyagr us a moot point--not too difficult to charge a device overnight.
Also, why does everyone worry about eyestrain using an e-reader when I'd bet many of us stare at a computer monitor for far longer than we would a Kindle. If I have eyestrain, it sure isn't going to be from staring at an iPad.
Harkonian said 10:46AM on 1-28-2010
@CHRiS: Your Kindle only lasts 12 hours because you are not only using the eInk screen, but the 3G as well. Turn off the 3G and it will be rated for the same 7000 or so page turns as my Sony Reader.
Oh, if you don't have eyestrain then surely it must not be a problem for anyone on earth and it certainly hasn't been diagnosed by doctors as a problem inherent in reading back-lit displays for any length of time. I'm glad that is fixed. :-/ While it is true you can't read your Kindle in the dark, nor books, nor magazine, nor any other media that _doesn't have a backlit display_ there is a technology that was invented a while ago to help solve this problem--the light bulb.
As for Apple's purchase of P.A. Semi, yes it is Apple's chip set now, but skoupes seemed to be indicating that the SOC must be awesome because it was _designed_ by Apple, just like the tablet. It was not. That was an SOC that was designed before the acquisition. Apple had nothing to do with it.
Anyway, anyone else bummed this thing has no webcam?
Harkonian said 10:53AM on 1-28-2010
@hmlong: Contrast doesn't mean what you think it means.
Floodo1 said 12:06AM on 1-28-2010
Seriously? WOW. I may end up not buying a new iPhone after all.....Might end up buying some craptacular cell, then using google voice to manage incoming calls (between ipad and craptacular cell), and then place outgoing on whichever is convenient (using some network to landline solution on the iPad).
Probably would cost the same as I'm spending now, and i'd have a whole lot of convenience and freedom!
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Daniel Milisic said 1:53AM on 1-28-2010
@Harkonian - PA Semi never offered an ARM core so technically this is an Apple design, not a PA Semi carry-over. PA Semi only offered PowerPC based designs.
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Jash Sayani said 2:46AM on 1-28-2010
Can I haz VoIP on iPhone 2G with EDGE ??
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