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Line2 adds a second line to your iPhone for $15 a month

by Steven Sande Feb 26th 2010 at 2:00PM


Would you like to add a second line to your iPhone? Perhaps you'd like to add a business number to the phone, but your existing phone is currently tied to your personal mobile number. You could always carry a second phone, but that's an expensive proposition, particularly if you're an iPhone addict.

VoIP provider Toktumi has a solution that may work out well for you. They're now selling an app called Line2 (US$0.99) that mimics many of the capabilities of the standard Phone app, complete with a form of visual voice mail. Purchasing the app provides you with one month of free VoIP service. After that point, each month's continued service costs $14.95 for unlimited calls within the US and Canada. The service is purchased in-app, and was a point of confusion for me -- the app listing in the iTunes store shows a "Top In App Purchase" at a cost of $19.99 for a month. Toktumi's website and the promotional video (above) do show the lower monthly rate.

While many VoIP solutions require a Wi-Fi connection to work, Line2 works over both 3G and Wi-Fi. The app has many of the features you might want in a business phone, including call waiting and call transfer, the ability to create conference calls with up to 20 participants, and even integration with Toktumi's hosted PBX service.

For small businesses that want to present a more professional image to callers, Line2 might be just the right solution. Toktumi notes that the app also works with both the iPod touch (Wi-Fi only) and iPad (Wi-Fi or 3G).

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Would you like to add a second line to your iPhone? Perhaps you'd like to add a business number to the phone, but your existing phone is...
 

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weatheredwatcher

Regardless of what features this app has or doesn't have compared to Google Voice, I think it is pretty hypocritical of Apple to nix the Google Voice App, but then turns around and allows this one. And shame on TUAW for not making any mention of the Google Voice App in this story.

March 01 2010 at 4:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to weatheredwatcher's comment
danranda99

To everyone who's ticked off that Google Voice wasn't approved by apple but this one is, YOU ARE ALL MISSING THE POINT.

Google Voice uses your Cellular Line (your actual phone line) so all google voice calls are using your minutes from your phone plan.

Line2 can use your wifi or 3g connection (your data connection, not your phone line) so calls made on it DO NOT use your minutes from your cell phone plan.

So if you are at home with a wifi connection you can make free calls (meaning no matter how much time you spend chatting, it will not impact your finances).
Assuming you have home internet service and a wifi router of course.
You can also use the 3G data connection while you are out and about and not near a WiFi source and still not use the minutes on your phone plan. And since AT&T requires an unlimited data plan for iphones you'll never need to worry about incurring further chargers no matter how much you talk (or listen).

So this product also has little to no detriment to AT&Ts network, whereas google voice would put a larger strain on AT&Ts network.
I hope this has cleared up that debate.

May 06 2010 at 2:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
weatheredwatcher

@danranda99

Wow! What kind of crack are you on? First of all, the POINT IS: When Apple first rejected the GV app, it was based on replication of similar features. Line2 also would seem to be replicating similar features: The ability to make phone calls. Second of all, I have NEVER read ANYWHERE that ATT was complaining about how much iPhone users TALK. It is always about how much DATA they are using. It is the reason that Skype could only be used via WiFi for so long. Making calls is not the issue, it is the fact that we, as iPhone users are a mostly computer savvy bunch who use the unlimited data plan..well as if it were an unlimited data plan. Ultimately, Apple made the choice to reject the GV app, but later on down the line they have reversed the decision and are allowing similar apps. It is a bit hypocritical

May 06 2010 at 3:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dugnsand

@Kevlar. Actually Google Voice includes Canda for free. Use it all the time to call north of the border fir free.

February 27 2010 at 8:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jason

meh, I'll stick with Skype for $2.99 / month. Exact same feature set (jailbroken so I can make VoIP over 3G).

February 27 2010 at 12:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to jason's comment
psisson

@Jason - actually Line2 has many more features than Skype

-Place/receive calls over cellular using the same number as over WiFi/3G
-call waiting, call transfer, call hold, 20 person conferencing
-all the hosted google voice like features - skype has none of that

If you just want cheap calling, skype is great. But if you need any of those additional features, then Line2 might suit you better. Anyway since you can try it for 99c for 30 days you can decide for yourself.

February 28 2010 at 7:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike

I have been using Line2 and Toktumi since November. Very pleased. I chose it because I wanted a way to transfer (port) my business line to the service and google voice did not do that.

February 26 2010 at 9:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gillan

Google voice is still free.. and to make it not use your mins add your Google voice number to your "A list"

February 26 2010 at 5:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
artist

Not a bad service and idea, but AT&T cannot even get line 1 right.

February 26 2010 at 5:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
paul turner

So does this app background? How do I know if I am getting a call on the 2nd line unless the app is running?

February 26 2010 at 4:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to paul turner's comment
Kevlar

Incoming calls get forwarded to your regular phone line (and presumably directly to the app if it's running)

February 26 2010 at 4:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rego

Sorry, didn't mean to post twice. I thought the first one didn't get entered.

February 26 2010 at 3:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rego

@Steve

The post says:
"Toktumi notes that the app also works with both the iPod touch (Wi-Fi only) and iPad (Wi-Fi or 3G)."

I couldn't find any reference to iPod touch or the iPad in it's App description or on the Toktumi web site. Can you tell me where this info is?

The App sounds interesting for the iPad although getting contacts into it would have to be done manually, which is a real negative.

I may just wait until they support Mac. Or look for a better service.



February 26 2010 at 3:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Rego's comment
Peter Sisson

@Rego. The touch version isn't in the app store yet. We are submitting this weekend - hope to see it live within 10-14 days.

February 26 2010 at 6:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rego

@Steve

The post says:
"Toktumi notes that the app also works with both the iPod touch (Wi-Fi only) and iPad (Wi-Fi or 3G)."

I couldn't find any reference to iPod touch or the iPad in it's App description or on the Toktumi web site. Can you tell me where this info is?

The App sounds interesting for the iPad although getting contacts into it would have to be done manually, which is a real negative.

I may just wait until they support Mac. Or look for a better service.



February 26 2010 at 3:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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