Apple Approves 3G VoiP App : iPad To Support 3G VoiP Calling?

[nickhesson]

It appears Apple has officially lifted their ban on apps that make VoIP calls over 3G! Just as they leaked the iPhone 3.2 OS to Devs, they also approve an update to an app called iCall. iCall for the iPhone & iPod is a new product that lets you make and receive free (or low-cost) phone calls anywhere you have a 3G or WiFi access. The application, dubbed iCall, is the only one in the Apple App Store at this current moment that can allow for VoIP over 3G connections.

Apple’s newly announced iPad will be able to run AppStore Apps, have 3G Capability, Wi-Fi, a microphone, and speaker. Seems like an efficient set of hardware to make 3G VoiP calls to me. If this is the case, use iPhone users can pretty much say we have iPad Nanos. With iCall now being available, it's only conceivable that the iPad may have the ability to make and receive phone calls regardless of not being a phone.

The updated version of iCall is available now in the AppStore for FREE.

Apple Lifts 3G VoIP Restrictions, iCall with 3G Support Available Immediately

iCall VoIP services for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch are now available for use over 3G networks such as AT&T wireless.

GREENWICH, Conn., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Apple Computer, Inc. has updated the iPhone developer SDK to allow VoIP over cellular networks. iCall is the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod Touch over cellular 3G networks.

...Until today, restrictions imposed on developers prohibited VoIP functionality on any 3G network.

VoIP on the iPhone has been the source of many debates with companies such as Google being denied access to the platform and the FCC inquiring as to the restrictions in the Apple App Store; iCall is one of the few VoIP applications that has been permitted by Apple to operate on the iPhone platform.

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. iCall with support for VoIP over 3G networks is now available in the App Store for download. iCall is the first and only VoIP application available for the iPhone platform that allows use over 3G networks. iCall for the iPhone and iPod Touch may now be downloaded from the App Store here.

iCall CEO Arlo Gilbert is quoted as saying, “I applaud Apple’s decision to allow iCall to extend its functionality beyond Wi-Fi and onto the 3G networks. This heralds a new era for VoIP applications on mobile platforms, especially for iCall and our free calling model. I hope that now more developers will begin using our VoIP as a platform to integrate VoIP into their applications.”

[djarben]

Crap, does not allow outside Usa.

[monadzback]

10$ a month. Lol.

[confucious]

Again, most data plans specifically exclude VoIP

[JayWheelz]

If I was to buy one of these, I would just use Google Voice. No sense in paying them more money.

[aldech]

is that push notification for VOIP i see? hmm

[GrandMstrBud]

Is it true they will also approve Skype, Vonage, and Truephone to use over 3G? If so which one is the best VOIP application for the IPhone?

[JedixJarf]

BTW, they didnt leak the os, they seeded the SDK.

[DMT]

interesting....

[billchase2]

Cool, I'd use it except I hardly use any of my minutes as is. I currently have 2601 rollover minutes available... haha

[jayson9]

Sure seems like there is a catch to this somewhere.... Unless they finally came to their senses about having a iPhone that can actually make a call!

[k.nitsua]

Cool, I'd use it except I hardly use any of my minutes as is. I currently have 2601 rollover minutes available... haha

If 2601 minutes is a lot of rollover minutes, I should REALLY think about changing my plan....

Current Rollover Balance: 7,450

Man, I will I could sell them...

[southfrisco]

Even though Apple opened this up within their SDK doesn't mean cell carriers have to abide by it. Does ATT even allow Voip over 3G?

[confucious]

Certainly here in the UK VoIP is not allowed unless you pay (a lot) extra. I believe it's not allowed on AT&T - but I could be wrong on that.

Just because you can do something doesn't make it right - people say they have 'unlimited' data so should be able to be able to tether - even though it's specifically excluded. I think this might be similar.

People see 'unlimited' and believe it allows them to do anything - even if it says 'unlimited' web browsing on the phone.

I have a feeling a few high profile cases where people get bills in the $1,000s will change peoples minds - just as it has here in the UK.

I could, of course, be wrong...

[robbpell]

pretty sure i seen a vonage commercial saying you could make calls over 3g and wifi on tv yesterday.

[djarben]

Certainly here in the UK VoIP is not allowed unless you pay (a lot) extra. I believe it's not allowed on AT&T - but I could be wrong on that.

Just because you can do something doesn't make it right - people say they have 'unlimited' data so should be able to be able to tether - even though it's specifically excluded. I think this might be similar.

People see 'unlimited' and believe it allows them to do anything - even if it says 'unlimited' web browsing on the phone.

I have a feeling a few high profile cases where people get bills in the $1,000s will change peoples minds - just as it has here in the UK.

I could, of course, be wrong...

A small correction here, in uk it is free using 3 network, and you dont need the internet plan,not required absoloutly free over 3g,can call europe lanline numbers using skype for free,al i pay skype is for monthly service charge which is £4, get it unlocked and u have a voip that replaces you phone, switch to 3 mate.

[confucious]

I'm sure you can - if your data plan allows it, or even if your data plan doesn't if you don't mind a very large bill when they find out....

[GrandMstrBud]

I believe ICall is the only one that does push but correct me if I'm wrong.

[awtryau89]

Which one is the best between iCall and Fring?

[djarben]

I'm sure you can - if your data plan allows it, or even if your data plan doesn't if you don't mind a very large bill when they find out....

Do some research mate,even if you buy pay us you service you still get it for free as well as msn , i have been using it for 5 months now, payment plan is £10 a month, Look like you have been ripped off by ur provider