If you're a Vonage user and you have an iPhone, great news -- Vonage has launched a new mobile app that allows you to send text messages and make calls with other Vonage users around the world. For free. The Vonage app pulls in your iPhone's native address book for quick access to initiating calls. Outgoing calls are recognized as originating from your usual phone number, so Caller ID on your friends' phones should still work fine. Needing others to be on Vonage is a pretty big caveat, but even for calling regular land lines, they're claiming rates are 30% lower than Skype. To sweeten the deal, Vonage is throwing in 3000 minutes/month of free mobile and landline calls to the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico for a limited time.

I'm not as impressed with the new Vonage app as Dell Voice, which lets you make outgoing calls to regular ol' landlines and cell phones within Canada for free for the foreseeable future (not just a limited time). Of course, there's no SMS text messaging included with Dell Voice, but I use instant messaging way more often anyway. Besides, if you've got to harass friends to sign up for a new service to get free calling anyway, wouldn't you have better luck with pushing a more widely-recognized brand like Skype? At the very least, Vonage Mobile's offer for free calling to land lines and mobile is pretty nice, even if it's only for a limited time.

Head on over to Vonage for more info on the app, which is also available for Android (if you're into that kind of thing). If you're ready to roll, go ahead and download directly from the App Store.

Dell Voice launched in Canada today, allowing iPhone owners to get a free phone number with both free incoming and outgoing Canada-wide calls to land lines and mobiles alike.  The service comes complete with voicemail, caller ID, Call Waiting, and even 911 emergency calling. The VoIP app was built with Fongo, operating over a network called Fibernetics which seems well-entrenched across all of the major Canadian cities and a lot of the smaller ones. If you're calling someone outside of Canada, they have some pretty reasonable international rates. Dell Voice provides you with a local number, and when you receive a call, it pops up as a notification on your iPhone. The call is then routed over a data connection, be it 3G or Wi-Fi - a great situation if you're on a shoestring budget and all you have is an iPod touch. You can also port over an existing number for a one-time $25 fee.

Unfortunately, there aren't any utilities for handling text messaging, but seeing as we don't have access to Google Voice up here, I think we're happy to just have access to a free VoIP phone number. It would be great to see Dell Voice to expand to include Video Calling, at which point it would be properly competing with the recently-launched Rogers One Number.  On that note, I'm really curious to hear how carriers will react to this service. I find this is a little more aggressive than Skype, since you don't have to pay to get a number for incoming calls. The little carriers, Wind Mobile and Mobilicity, are having a hard enough time attracting customers even with absurdly cheap plans, and I worry that something like Dell Voice would cut them out altogether. Of course, the dependability of the service is yet to be seen, and if it's not up to snuff, it might not be worth your while.

The one set-up that Dell suggests that I could see being helpful is creating a number for out of town, so if you have family elsewhere in the country, they could make local calls to you.  Dell Voice apps are available for iOS and Android, with BlackBerry coming soon. There's also a PC app if you want to start taking calls on your computer. Head on over to the Dell Voice landing page for a closer look, or download directly from iTunes to get registered.

FaceTime accounts are currently tied to iPhone 4 phone numbers but new reports on iOS 4.1 beta 3 show the option to initiate a FaceTime video call via email address as well.

We've already seen rumors that FaceTime would be tied into Apple or iTunes IDs, and if Apple does indeed plan to roll out the service to future iPod touch and iPad devices with front-facing cameras but without phone numbers, it's a logical and necessary step.

Why Apple didn't use email as the basis for iPhone 4 FaceTime to start with is anyone's guess but the idea of an Apple supported VoIP system for both video and audio (hit the home button to exit the video but keep the call going), that's standards based and released as an open standard, is certainly interesting. If every iPod touch 4 and iPad 2 supports it, and other apps and devices running Android, webOS, etc. pick it up, it could be even more interesting.

Until/unless it supports SkypeIn/SkypeOut-like ability to call people on regular old phones it won't be a threat to traditional telephony, but it could be a strong contender to the future.

I'm already using FaceTime whenever possible. I'd like to use it more. Opening it up to connections based on email is the first step.

Hopefully we'll learn more at Apple's traditional fall iPod and iTunes event, where iOS 4.1 is widely expected to debut.

[MacRumors, thanks Tristan!]

Apple Peel 520 is an adapter case that just might hack your iPod touch into something closer to an iPhone, courtesy of a VoIP client, SIM card, and a dream:

Powered by an Infineon baseband chip, this adapter not only offers voice calling and text messaging (presumably requiring a jailbroken iPod touch for the apps; GPRS not possible yet), but it also doubles up as an 800mAh battery and provides 4.5 hours of call time or 120 hours of standby juice.

Whether this ever hits the market in Asia -- let alone North America -- is anyone's guess but if it did show up, would you want?

[Engadget]

Skype for iPhone has just hit version 2.1 and brings with it the ability to run iOS 4 background VoIP multitasking. Yes, you finally have the ability to leave Skype running and answer calls as an almost equal citizen to the built in, old-school Phone app.

Hurrah.

If you try it out, let us know how it works for you.

[iTunes via BGR]

Peter Sisson, founder and CEO of Toktumi talks Line2, their premium, business-optimized calling solution for the iPhone and iPad (with optimized iPad UI coming soon). While many forms of communications have leapt forward in the digital age, our telcos have been content to keep telephony in the relative dark ages. Line2 is one of several services hoping to pull them kicking and screaming forward, with both cell and VoIP based solutions.

Currently you can conference call over VoIP -- which is really nice on an iPad -- with full call waiting and real SMS functionality. With iOS 4 VoIP will work in the background meaning apps like Line2 could just be first-class telephone solutions (and strangely carriers don't seem to be as afraid of this as they used to be).

Line2 competes with free-as-in-Google voice by offering a more user-centric app, with lots of features and a focus on customer care. They're US/Canada only at the moment but will be expanding into the top 7 international iPhone markets soon and especially for business users, they think their offer will be compelling. (Enough that Peter suggests a MiFi rather than device data plan might just be the way to go forward...)

Check out the video interview after the break!

[Line2 on iTunes]

YouTube link

Chad just Skyped me over 3G to tell me Skype has finally (finally!) released Skype 2.0 for iPhone with support for VoIP calling over 3G cell phone networks.

We'll spare you the long drawn out AT&T, Apple, Skype drama and the out-loud wondering about why it took so long. We'll also skip the reminder about how, with iPhone OS 4, you'll be able to leave it running in the background. We figure you've already tapped through and are busily installing the app.

When you're done and have tried it out, come back and let us know what you think about the experience and call quality.

UPDATE 1: Sigh. Skype-to-Skype over 3G won't be free like traditional Skype-to-Skype over Wi-Fi calls:

Call using your 3G connection. Skype-to-Skype calls on 3G are free until at least end of August 2010, after which there will be a small monthly fee (operator charges for data will still apply).

UPDATE 2: Launching Skype 2.0 on iPhone OS 4 will result in a warning that it only works on "unmodified iPhone OS 3.0.x, 3.1.x, 3.2.x". Sorry developers on iPhone OS 4, no Skype 2.0 for you!

UPDATE 3: Scratch update 2, looks like that warning has been around for a while.

[iTunes link]

Line2 is new VoIP app for the iPhone and iPod touch that allows you to make calls on your iPhone over your 3G data connection while avoiding using up your ever important voice minutes. The app itself will cost you $1 but unlike Google Voice or Skype there is a $15 per month fee (after the initial free 30 day trial) but most of you will find that you do get your money's worth with all of the following features.

• A dedicated number that finds you on any phone. Get a local number, an 800 number, or transfer an existing number.
• Powerful office phone features including call waiting, call transfer, caller ID, call forwarding, and more.
• A second number for your cell phone that allows you to place and receive calls on your cell phone from your Toktumi number. Now you can keep your personal cell number private without having to carry two cell phones.
• Auto Attendant ("Press 1 for…") that's like a 24/7 receptionist - managing and routing incoming calls to the right person or department automatically. -Instant conference calls for up to 20 people -- you can even record your conference calls for future reference (windows only).
• Voicemail by e-mail that simplifies your communications and helps you easily manage your important messages.
• Virtual Assistant that screens and announces calls and provides different greetings for business and personal callers.
• PC-based calling for conducting calls and conferences from your PC anywhere worldwide. You can even dial numbers by name or keyword (windows only).
• Unlimited calling and conferencing to the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as to other Toktumi users worldwide.
• Simultaneous call forwarding to up to six numbers
• Ultra-low rates for international calls, e.g. $.02 per minute for calls to China, Italy, and the U.K. See rates here.

All of the above are great features but not everything is a bed of roses. Two major drawbacks are as follows - until Apple allows for multitasking you must have the app running in order to receive incoming calls and currently you can not receive or send text messages (the latter should be fixed in a future update).

Now before you head into the App Store looking to download Line2 you should be aware it has been pulled by the developer, Toktumi. The blame goes to a DNS attack and not Apple like you may have thought so it will be back once the attack is cleared up.

Once it is up and running and if you decide to give it a try, let us know how it works for you in the comments below!

[Via New York Times, thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

VoIP over 3G apps for iPhone are now beginning to show up in the iTunes App Store. After AT&T said they would allow VoIP over 3G, all that remained was for Apple to follow through with an amended SDK, and that happened with iPhone 3.2 SDK for iPad.

So far iCall Free VoIP [Free - iTunes link] and Fring [Free - iTunes link]

We're not seeing the monster in the space, Skype over 3G yet, but we're willing to bet that's incoming.

We're also happy to see that the iPad is indeed pushing things along for the iPhone as well, and we're wondering if this means we'll have VoIP over 3G to go along with those new AT&T iPad data plans they announced yesterday?

If you try out VoIP over 3G on your iPhone let us know how it works for you!

MacRumors is reporting that the new iPhone 3.2 SDK, now available via developer.apple.com, but (currently?) only supporting the just-announced iPad, brings a couple interesting new features to the table tablet.

• External displays, which had potential but no official APIs in previous iPhone SDKs, looks like they've gone legit. Video out to come? No word on an HDMI cable still...
• Shared file directory, which mounts on both Mac and PC. It isn't the Mobile Finder we've wanted, but it sounds like it might make getting docs on and off a whole lot easier.
• Universal apps, which means developers can make a single build that will support both the smaller iPhone and iPod touch, and the bigger iPad.

In addition, MacRumors says iCall Free VoIP [Free - iTunes link] has told them:

With the latest revisions Apple has made to the iPhone developer agreement and Software Development Kit, iCall for the iPhone and iPod Touch now enabled unrestricted free local and long distance calling over 3G data networks.

Finally (for now), 9to5mac shows that while the demo iPad only had 4 apps in its dock, like the iPhone, the SDK simulator has room for 6. Makes sense given the extra width. (Pictures above)

We'd wondered what happened with VoIP over 3G. Will iPhone 3.2 be the answer?

UPDATE: Skype got back to us all official PR like:

We've identified the fault which has made Skype for iPhone unavailable to some people. A fix is underway, and we expect that the app will be fully available in the next few hours.

ORIGINAL: If you click on an iTunes link to get the Skype for iPhone App, as of this writing, iTunes pops up a notification saying Skype for iPhone is not currently available in the US App Store, or other international App Stores. If you search for Skype, the Skype app doesn't show up. Skype's official iPhone app page, still tells you to "Get it now", but it's currently not get-able.

Temporary glitch? Sign that maybe, finally it's being replaced with the 3G version AT&T, Apple and Skype said back in October '09 would be coming our way? Or just gone as in another App Store brouhaha may be brewing?

An international, hours-long lasting glitch sounds odd. Removing an old version and leaving nothing available for a time before replacing it with a new one isn't typically how the App Store works -- it's usually fairly unnoticeable to the end user (known bugs not withstanding). Unless CES is going to mean an announcement from Skype? And, well, we can't imagine something this high-profile would just be gone, right?

We'll update If Skype for iPhone comes back up, same as before or new and 3G, or if we get any solid info.

[Thanks to @mugunthkumar for the tip!]

When Google first mentioned ChromeOS, we figured it was their reaction to launching Android, then seeing Palm come out with webOS, and smacking their heads -- they could have done that with V8! (What, too nerdy?)

Lame JavaScript rendering engine jokes aside, the very traditional Android never really seemed like the OS Google should, or even wanted, to give to the world. ChromeOS does. (For those unfamiliar, when I guessed what it would be before the unveiling yesterday -- Brin and Page booting Linux which then auto-started the WebKit-based Chrome browser -- that wasn't a joke. It's really what I -- and many others -- thought they'd do, and pretty much what they did. Casey at Android Central has a bigger write up on it if you want the details).

Now bear with me because this will be a little bit all over the place (yeah, what else is new, but the future is woven from many seemingly disparate threads). The business reason (and remember Google is a business) makes a lot of sense -- booting in 10 seconds and getting into Chrome, and just Chrome, means users only have access to the web, and Google owns the web and most of its advertising revenue. Boot into Windows, Mac, or the *nix OS, and users may waste time in native apps, totally outside Google's reach. That's why targeting SSD-only netbooks on hardware approved by Google with mass storage access and (we're guessing) internet-driven printing gives Google a chance to own ultra-small scale computing. Free as in Google indeed.

And that's why it makes perfect sense for Mobile handsets in the coming age of ubiquitous connectivity. We're not there yet but we will be soon. And maybe that's why TechCrunch is following up their rumours of a branded Google gPhone with even more rumours that it will be a data-only VoIP device. That's right, no voice plan, just cheap data with Gizmo5-fortified Google Voice and all those other cloud-based Google services like Gmail, navigation, docs, etc.. (It's also suggested this device would run on AT&T, giving them some glamor back if they lose iPhone exclusivity next year).

Bringing this back to the iPhone, we all remember in 2007 when Steve Jobs announced the first "sweet" iPhone development platform -- WebApps, and the resounding thud of that landing on unenthused developers and users alike. But Google isn't Apple and next year is 2010. ChromeOS is, as Casey says, ambitious in concept if tame in current realization, but for iPhone users, that may not matter.

See, as iPhone users, we're excited because we're counting on all those Google ChromeOS WebApps to run just great in our iPhone Safari browsers as well, just like Google's current cloud-based apps -- which is something Android apps won't do (they only run on Android devices). Microsoft going web-based with Office 2010, which we're also looking forward to running in iPhone Safari, only makes it "sweeter". Cheap or "free as in Google" gPhones for those who just want data and browsers, iPhones for those who want all that and more?

Could we be getting the best of all worlds again? Apple and 100,000+ apps native on our iPhone (or Windows, Mac, *nix desktop), Google and Microsoft filling up our cloud along with their own? Yes please.

Let us know what you think!

Last month at CTIA, AT&T proudly announced that they would now permit VOIP over 3G on the iPhone, and Apple promptly told TiPb (and others) that they were updating their SDK agreement and wanted VOIP over 3G apps in the App Store as quickly as possible, and Skype was all up in the happy as well. And now...

[cricket chirps]

Yeah, we're still waiting. We asked Apple for an update but haven't heard back yet. Hopefully, very soon, we'll be awash in them. In the meantime, let's keep the spotlight shining, and feel free to let Apple, AT&T, Skype, and all the other providers know you want your VoIP over 3G!

When Google opens their wallet, big buyouts follow, and this time it's iPhone/mobile advertising company AdMob for $750 million, and VoIP startup Gizmo5 for about $30 million.

AdMob is an obvious choice for Google, as it's built mobile and in-app advertising (especially on the iPhone) into a $100 million a year business, enough to get Brin and Page personally involved in the courtship. Says TechCrunch:

Google is gunning hard to dominate mobile Web advertising and AdMob has an early foothold in the display side. [...] Google’s purchase price tells us it thinks the opportunity for mobile display ads is in the billions of dollars, at the very least.

Gizmo5, rather than advertising, could help round out Google's services portfolio. Again, TechCrunch has the details:

Google Talk allows voice calls between users but has no PSTN link to allow incoming or outbound calls to real phones. Gizmo5 does this well already. [...] And Google Voice is a great VoIP and phone identity service, but they have no endpoint for calls. Gizmo5, which by the way already integrates with Google Voice, is a soft phone end point for Google phone users.

Of course, Apple will have to stop considering/reverse the rejection of Google Voice, or Google will have to deliver that killer web app version, before iPhone users benefit from that...

What does AT&T's announcement today, regarding a change of policy to allow VoIP applications like Skype to operate over the 3G network mean for Google Voice in the App Store and SlingPlayer over 3G?

Nothing.

Not to rain on our many commenters and emailers parades, but AT&T's VoIP policy has nothing to do with either of those apps because:

1. Google Voice was rejected/is still under review by Apple, not by AT&T. All parties have clearly stated AT&T has played and is playing absolutely no role in keeping Google Voice out of the App Store. That ball is still firmly in Apple's court, and it will take movement from them, and them alone, to bring it to the App Store when -- and if -- they decide to pull the trigger.

2. SlingPlayer sends your home TV video over 3G, and clearly has nothing to do with VoIP. AT&T has a distinct and separate policy forbidding the use of apps like SlingPlayer on their 3G network. Unless and until AT&T changes that second, specific policy as well, no SlingPlayer over 3G for you. (And seriously, given AT&T is dropping 30% of calls in NYC as well, does anyone think their network could survive even more traffic at this point?)

So there you go. You're getting VoIP from AT&T and Apple, no more, no less. Scratch that off the list, and if they've given an inch, and you hunger for a mile, keep the armor on and re-focus your battle on the next two (or more) targets.

Apple has now weighed in with regards to AT&T's announcement today that they would be changing their policy and allowing VoIP (Voice over IP) to operate over their 3G network (something they'd previously asked Apple not to allow). When reached for comment, Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris told TiPb:

We're very happy that AT&T is now supporting VoIP applications. We will be amending our developer agreement to get VoIP apps on the App Store and in customers’ hands as soon as possible.

Hopefully this means users on other carriers, liberated by AT&T along with the rest of us, will now also get VoIP over 3G apps. If any international carriers do decide to ban VoIP themselves at this point -- yeah, we don't see that going over well at all.

Following up on a rumor earlier today that AT&T would be announcing a new, friendlier policy towards Skype and Google Voice, Skype President Josh Silverman posted on the official Skype blog, saying "Good move, AT&T":

All of us at Skype applaud today's announcement by AT&T (in an FCC filing to be published shortly) that it'll open up its 3G network to Internet calling applications such as Skype. It's the right step for AT&T, Apple, millions of mobile Skype users and the Internet itself.

Silverman reveals that 10% of all iPhone and iPod touch devices have downloaded the Skype app (which makes roughly 5 million installs, if our math is right), and while they give AT&T the requisite kudos, Silverman states that it's the government and industry regulation that should ensure open networks -- in line with the FCC's recent move to establish "net neutrality".

Of course, AT&T announcements and Skype enthusiasm are one thing, let's see how long it takes to get Skype 3G into the App Store.

(And, of course, that still leaves Google Voice)

Back in September we mentioned that a VOIP application, Vonage Mobile, received the green light of approval into the App Store. Today it has finally been made available as a free download with a monthly fee for service. [iTunes Link]

Today Vonage (NYSE: VG) launched Vonage Mobile, its first mobile calling application for smartphones. Vonage Mobile is a free downloadable application (app) that provides seamless, low-cost international calling while on Wi-Fi or cellular networks*. Once downloaded, the service saves customers more than 50% on calls to dozens of countries versus the rates charged by wireless carriers while providing far more convenience than calling cards. Vonage Mobile will be available for download on the iPhone(R), BlackBerry(R) and iPod touch(R) at www.vonage.com and the iTunes App Store later today.

While the release of this application is not all that shocking, the fact that you can use the networks 3G data to make your calls with Vonage Mobile is. That whole fiasco between Apple, Google, AT&T, and the FCC seems to have worked out in our favor yet again.

Apple has gone and shocked the world again as, according to the company's Twitter feed, popular VoIP service Vonage has been approved for the iTunes App Store.

Vonage has announced that Apple approved its mobile application for iPhone and iPod Touch. Vonage is currently conducting a beta test and general availability will be announced at a later date. This new service, along with the recent launch of the Vonage World unlimited calling plan, continues Vonage's heritage of using innovative technology to create significant value for its current and future customers.

While it remains to be seen if Vonage will be granted 3G access, or made WiFi only like Skype, if you follow them on Twitter, you may have noticed Vonage was searching for a few lucky volunteers to become official beta testers of their iPhone app. Were any of our readers lucky enough to be selected as the chosen few?

If so, let us know how the testing is going in the comments!

Google bought Grand Central and rebranded it Google Voice, now Apple has rejected Google Voice for the iPhone and the FCC is looking into it. Based on the responses Apple had given the FCC, it looks like they might be afraid Google is taking over the iPhone and Google Voice is a big piece of that. So what if Apple had bought Grand Central instead? Or what if that new world-class data center Apple is building will be home to a Google Voice competitor? (Tip of the theoretical hat to Derek in our comments, who delightfully calls such a thing iVoice).

GrandCentral (not to be confused with Apple's upcoming multicore processor handler, Grand Central Dispatch) was an innovative service that gave users a new phone number that could replace any number of other and assorted numbers (one line to ring them all), along with SMS, transcribed voice mail, conference calling, call switching, call screening, etc. It was purchased by Google in 2007 for $95 million, and relaunched in 2009 as Google Voice.

If Apple had bought it instead, they would of course now be spared the headaches surrounding the above mentioned rejection and investigation. But they'd also have a fairly compelling set of services to roll up into the iPhone...

The original iPhone 2G saw Apple neatly remove carriers from a large portion of the smartphone experience by handling the selling and activation themselves, and not allowing any so-called carrier crapware (or even physical branding) onto the iPhone.

iPhone 3G and iPhone 2.0 saw the removal of carrier application portals with the introduction of an Apple-controlled App Store (though that inarguably has crapware all it's own, users don't have to fight with it being pre-installed and/or baked in).

At the same time, the original iPod touch went from being a crippled, no external speaker, no external volume control iPhone, to a fairly good non-phone iPhone. In a couple of weeks, Apple is widely expected to ship an iPod touch with a camera and perhaps microphone as well.

That makes it a potential VoIP monster.

Of course, GrandCentral/Google Voice doesn't use VoIP (despite Apple's weak-tea response that they're still investigating it). That doesn't mean it couldn't (as in never will).

An iPhone -- or iPod touch -- with "iVoice" phone, sms, voice mail, etc. behind it...? That removes the carrier further still (dumb pipe chants, if you will), and the iPod touch as a VoIP monster? Heh. It becomes the Balrog.

As part of the responses to the FCC's inquiry into the rejection of Google Voice from the iPhone App Store, AT&T stated the following:

As noted above, AT&T regularly reviews its policies regarding features and capabilities available through the devices we offer in order to provide an attractive range of options for our customers. Consistent with this approach, we plan to take a fresh look at possibly authorizing VoIP capabilities on the iPhone for use on AT&T's 3G network.

This was couched in some legal arguments stating economists and jurists allow deals where one party's core business is protected against adverse actions taken by another party -- in this case AT&T is saying VoIP would hurt their revenue from voice plans, so it's okay for Apple to protect AT&T from that hurt.

However, AT&T also says that while Apple agreed not to produce a VoIP app for the iPhone without AT&T's consent, they had no obligation to "take action against" a third party app.

So, presumably Apple is not allowed to make a VoIP app unless AT&T says okay, but Apple's just being kind to AT&T by not allowing Skype (for example) to use the 3G network?

And if AT&T is changing their mind and thinking of allowing a VoIP app, and the only VoIP app they say they're allowed to allow is one by Apple...

Conspiracy theorists, where does that leave us?

TruPhone let us know that they've updated their iPhone VoIP app to version 3.0 and called up some major enhancements along the way. Among them:

• TruPhone, previously a WebApp, has now gone native for better speed and performance
• It's new UI makes the app much slicker - specifically the integrated IM functionality
• Oh, and the call quality has been "radically improved"

Other highlights include:

integrated messaging tool unifies all IM communities in a single place, meaning users can manage all their IM communication from a single page within the application - eliminating the need to constantly jockey between different applications or even different pages within an application. IM services currently supported include Skype, MSN Messenger, AIM, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk.

TruPhone 3.0 is available, for FREE, via the iTunes App Store.

Drop us a note in the comments and let us know how it works for you!

UPDATE: Skype seems to be live now in the US App Store [iTunes Link]. If you find it in any other App Store's please let us know in the comments. [Thanks daveizzle for the tip!]

UPDATE 2: According to CBC News, Skype will NOT be available in Canada (though it will be everywhere else). The reason, a patent-license restrictions on Skype's end that they won't discuss. Apparently that means no iPhone Skype App for Canada and crippled Skype-to-Skype and IM only for the BlackBerry come may. Sort that out, will you Skype. Now? [via arcterex]

UPDATE 3: Important note for JAILBREAK users: if you're experiencing constant crashes, be sure to update MobileSubstrate via Cydia.

ORIGINAL post after the jump!

Skype for the iPhone (and second generation iPod touch), rumored last week by Om Malik, is now confirmed by the WSJ as coming to the iTunes App Store tomorrow.

Skype, the popular VoIP (voice over IP) service that sends telephone calls via the internet, will be WiFi only for calls, of course (carriers will protect their income by keeping it off 3G), but you can IM chat anywhere. How does it stack up to existing apps like Fring that already offer VoIP support? CNet, which has an early review up, quotes Skype a saying:

what the other apps use is a workaround that requires them to channel calls through a server and transcode audio, resulting in poorer-quality calls than Skype can do in its own app.

GigaOm seems pleased:

SkypeIn and SkypeOut, along with Skype Chat, are the key features of this new version of the Skype application. This is a native P2P application for the iPhone and the iPod touch. It allows group chats and conference calls and is tightly integrated with Apple’s Address Book.

Gizmodo, by contrast, thinks:

Third party apps like Fring picked up Skype's slack a long time ago, and lump in multiprotocol IMing, something which gives them a distinct advantage over this official client on the one-app-at-a-time-please iPhone.

[Thanks to John and Icebike for sending this in! And no, we'd have mentioned Om again anyway, even though it would be great if he'd yell at us over Twitter...]

Our own editor-in-chief, Dieter Bohn will be live at CTIA 2009, where the official announcement is expected, so if anything else breaks, he'll let us know. Meanwhile, anyone setting their alarm-clocks to download?

Today on the forums I wanted to point out our new setup. We have cleaned up the forums a bit and have made it even more friendly for everyone. Don't trust me? Take a look for yourself! If you feel so inclined and want to see something added or removed, start your own thread and tell us!

A lot has been said about the iPhone and tethering, heck even Dieter just jailbroke his iPhone to try out a tethering app called PdaNet. Mugunth wants to know why AT&T won't allow tethering and VOIP on the iPhone, chime in on the conversation right here.

Are you fed up so much with your iPhone or AT&T that you are considering getting rid of it and going back to your old phone? Well NMprofessional is seriously considering doing just that and for a few interesting reasons... Say it ain't so, NMprofessional! Head on into the forums and try to change his mind!

Rene let slip that we're going to have a great new contest coming to the TiPB iPhone Forums soon, so along with our fresh new look, it's time to get some fresh faces in there as well! Signing up is simple, I'll even get you started, head on over and I'll see you on the forums!

A VoIP company called iCall has developed a program for the iPhone that enables seamless switching of calls from GSM to WiFi. Meaning: iCall will prompt you to switch your phone calls, mid-call, to WiFi so you don't waste your minutes. Meaning: It's Free! Though the desktop version of iCall is only available for Windows (Mac Support is on the way) this will probably be one of the more useful VoIP clients for the iPhone.

People who are familiar with T-Mobile's use of UMA and HotSpot@Home technology will tell you that calls over Wi-Fi are not only free (with the right plan), but often times even better. Using VoIP instead of your minutes would help ease the drain for plenty of users who are always near WiFi and potentially offer international travelers free calls back home.

Currently, iCall is in private beta but plans for a public release very soon. In fact, you won't even have to jailbreak for this app because the folks over at iCall are confident it'll be a part of the App Store. 

ReadVia

Man, the wait for the iPhone 2.0 software update is getting rough for those of us who aren't keen to jailbreak our iPhones. The latest: Voice over IP from IM-maker Fring. Go on and check out their instructions page. Fring is actually a way to use all sorts of different Instant Messenger clients like Yahoo, AIM, etc. Another client it's compatible with: Skype. It will also work with a standard SIP for VOIP as well.

Anybody given this a shot yet? Reports around the web seem to indicate that it's better than expected -- as long as your WiFi connection is decent.

A UK voice-over-IP company by the name of Truphone has figured out how to use the iPhone's own software to make VOIP calls. The entire thing was witnessed by Oliver Starr:

Currently requires the use of terminal on the iPhone to tell the iPhone to use its on-board SIP stack to place the call over WiFi instead of via the SIM card. To use the terminal application, in turn requires that you first Jailbreak the phone using an application like iBrickr or iFuntastic. This is not an application for the inexperienced or the faint of heart.Instantitating the SIP Stack for TruPhone.

In other words, it's not ready to use yet. Though I can think of a worse fate for usability than dialing calls through the command line, I won't. There's no need for it anyway, as they reportedly have a GUI application in the works. They'll be beta-testing their software in perhaps a month.