Voip Articles on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Skype 5.4 beta available

by Erica Sadun (Nov 22nd, 2011)

Skype Beta 5.4 was made available last week with more Facebook integration. For the most part, TUAW isn't comprised of big Skype users. Skype came under fire with a redesign in version 5. Our beloved leader, Victor, is still on version 2.8 -- or as he puts it, "2.8 FOR LIFE." As the Mac beta ...

ChatTime offers handset alternative to Skype for International calls

by Erica Sadun (Oct 14th, 2011)

If you place a lot of international calls, the ChatTime service may help you save money over Skype. You install a free application on your iPhone handset, purchase credit, and initially place the call from the application. The application sets up the call for you, and then you use the standard ...

Place a T-Mobile call from your iPhone with Bobsled

by Michael Grothaus (Oct 12th, 2011)

T-Mobile might not be an official carrier for the iPhone in the US, but that doesn't mean you can't make T-Mobile phone calls on your iPhone. The company has released its Bobsled app for iOS. Bobsled is T-Mobile's web-based phone and messaging service. With it users can call anyone in their ...

Skype for Mac 5.4 beta adds Facebook integration (and ads!)

by Michael Grothaus (Sep 15th, 2011)

Skype has released Skype for Mac 5.4 beta, which adds Facebook integration to the VOIP app. After downloading the beta, users have the option of linking their Facebook account to their Skype account. Once linked, all Facebook friends appear in a special "Facebook" section of your Skype contacts ...

Dear Aunt TUAW: How do I deal with voice latency?

by Erica Sadun (Jun 13th, 2011)

Dear Aunt TUAW, Why is VoIP so freaking awkward? I really like using Google Voice with Safari but then I always end up talking over the guy I'm calling to. What gives? Love, Denny Dear Denny, It's called latency, and it happens with all kinds of computer telephony solutions like Google ...

Bria extends VoIP phone client to iPad

by Michael Rose (Jun 10th, 2011)

If you've been looking around for a solid VoIP/SIP client for the iPad or iPhone, consider CounterPath's Bria. For all the excitement around VoIP on the iPhone and iPod touch (including high profile apps like Skype, Vonage TalkFree for Facebook and Line2), relatively few developers have gone ...

What does the Skype sale mean for Apple customers?

by Mel Martin (May 10th, 2011)

By now everyone knows that Skype has been sold to Microsoft for a huge 8.5 billion dollars. The question on all our minds is what will the sale mean to Mac and iOS users? There aren't any ready answers. Microsoft often treats the Mac as a least-favored nation. Most versions of Office have ...

Microsoft may be about to buy Skype

by Chris Rawson (May 9th, 2011)

If you were hoping Skype's busted UI and security vulnerabilities would get major improvements in the future, this latest news might kill that hope. According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is in talks to buy Skype for nearly US$8 billion. On the surface of it, this seems a mystifying ...

Viber for iPhone updated with free text messaging

by Mel Martin (Apr 1st, 2011)

I liked Viber when I tested it several months ago. It's an iPhone VoIP app that allows free phone calls to any phone that has the app installed. I thought the terrific audio quality, lack of ads and ease of setup were all positives. Viber has been updated today to version 2.01 with free text ...

Fuze Meeting delivers multiparty video conferencing to iPad 2

by Michael Rose (Mar 31st, 2011)

The latest updates to Callwave's distributed conferencing platform, Fuze Meeting, have added a rather dramatic new feature that's perfect for iPad 2 owners (not to mention Android 'Honeycomb' tablets like the Motorola Xoom and older 'Froyo' devices): multi-party video conferencing. Meeting ...

Turn an iPod touch into an iPhone with its own packaging

by Dave Caolo (Feb 4th, 2011)

Here's a nice bit of ingenuity. Lifehacker reader Kevin explains how he used a VoIP app (Viber and Line 2 are two nice options) with his iPod's packaging and earbud speakers to create a DIY handset. After smoothing the edges of the plastic backing and wearing a groove to hold the earbud wire, ...

Viber VoIP app for iPhone updated and improved

by Mel Martin (Jan 24th, 2011)

An update to Viber has hit the App Store today. I was impressed with the original release of this free VoIP client when it came out early last month. I especially liked the voice quality and the notifications. Since the review, Skype with video finally made it to the iPhone and attracted a lot of ...

Native Union introduces Bluetooth handset and speakerphone for iPhones at CES

by Victor Agreda, Jr. (Jan 9th, 2011)

Native Union was at CES offering an intriguing lineup of handsets that'll turn your iPhone, iPad or even iPod touch into a more traditional handset-style phone. One model even morphs into a speaker for music or speakerphone. Unfortunately, audio quality was tough to gauge at the noisy show floor, ...

Line2 adds unlimited phone, voicemail and texting to your iDevice for $10 a month

by Victor Agreda, Jr. (Jan 7th, 2011)

Line2 is a tri-mode calling app for your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. It uses data, WiFi or even cellular voice connections to make and receive calls -- a first for iPhone. While there's a 30-day free trial, the service ultimately costs $10 per month. But for that fee you get unlimited calls, ...

Skype for iPhone updates to 3.0, adds video calling

by Megan Lavey-Heaton (Dec 30th, 2010)

In a move that's sure to make users stand up and say "Hallelujah," the latest update to the Skype app for iPhone finally adds video calling. The newest version of the app will allow users to make video Skype to Skype calls from their iPhone via Wi-Fi and 3G, and also call Skype desktop users on ...