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Apple relents; allows VOIP over 3G on iPhone

Summary: Apple did an about-face today, reversing their stance on not allowing Voice Over IP (VOIP) calls from the iPhone while using 3G.

Jason D. O'Grady

By for The Apple Core |

http://gigaom.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/photo.jpgApple did an about-face today, reversing their stance on not allowing Voice Over IP (VOIP) calls from the iPhone over 3G. They must have cut a deal with AT&T to allow it.

Steve to AT&T

"Um, would you like the iPad data contract? Go fetch."

Sure, apps like Skype, Nimbuzz, Fring and their ilk allow the iPhone to make VOIP calls from the iPhone, but they were previously relegated to Wi-Fi only (see the old screenshot, pictured).

Today Apple updated its iPhone SDK to v.3.2 to allow VoIP applications to run over 3G data networks. Whee! The big question is how will AT&T's already suspect 3G handle the VOIP traffic, quality-wise. Your mileage may vary.

Props to iCall (App Store, free) for being the first app in the App Store to be able to make a VOIP call over 3G. I expect that Skype and the other VOIP app developers will follow suit, and that they'll also work on the iPad. The iPad has all the tools needed for VoIP calling—a built-in microphone, speaker, 3G, Wi-Fi, and apps.

Can Google Voice be far behind?

While the announcement is certainly exciting, it underscores my disappointment that Apple didn't include a camera in the iPad, eliminating the possibility of video conferencing on the device.

How long until someone develops a camera accessory for video calls? Will Apple block it?

Photo: GigaOm

Topics: Telcos, Apple, Hardware, iPhone, Mobility, Networking, Unified Comms, Wi-Fi

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18 comments
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  • If they had included a webcam in the iPad

    what else could they do to enhance the next version? You have to think ahead.
    Michael Kelly
    Reply Vote

    • ah yes .. good ole Planned Obsolescence

      Planned Obsolescence .. nobody plays that game better and faster than Apple .. bad for the consumer who spends hundreds on a half way decent product conveniently missing obvious applications only to be baited with something better a few months later .. good for Apple profits.
      gordonledbetter@...
      Reply Vote

      • dumb and dumber

        If people are dumb enough to take the bait and continue to
        take the bait time and time again... can you blame Apple?
        Masari.Jones
        Reply Vote

  • AT&T automatically locks you into data contract

    If you have an iPhone then AT&T automatically locks you into a data contract. Regardless of if you want or need it. Complete and utter BS!!!

    Even if you buy your own phone outright (full retail or outside of AT&T) they will still force you onto a data contract once they detect the phone.

    Just do a little googling and you will see a lot of unhappy folks complaining about it. Hopefully they will file complaints with the FCC as it is baloney.
    Keeping Current
    Reply Vote

    • It's not just the iPhone

      that requires a data contract - the Blackberry devices do as well as the other smartphones. And it's not just AT&T that does this... no matter if you buy a phone from the carrier, your best friend, or from ebay... and customers are told this up front when they buy a smartphone or add a smartphone to their line. This is really old news.
      athynz
      Reply Vote

      • Not Exactly True

        T-Mobile will require you to sign up for a data plan when you purchase a
        smartphone, but you can cancel the data portion of the service after the
        frist month with no penalties.
        Masari.Jones
        Reply Vote

    • Umm

      If you want a phone with no data plan get a regular phone. If you want something that mostly behaves like an iPhone and looks like it, but is not tied to a data plan get an iPod.

      Pretty much all "smart" phones require data plans, not just the iPhone.
      tikigawd
      Reply Vote

  • Where's FCC??? SOS

    That's crazy how AT&T and these cellphone company's force you into getting a data plan when you don't need it. Its bad enough they lock you into a 2 year contract. Yeah they let you use Voip applications on there network but are going to require a messaging plan mandatory whats up with that FCC needs to crack down on all this BS these cellphone company's are getting away with.
    watchme2
    Reply Vote

    • have you heard of Lobbyist?

      The FCC as well as every senator and congressman are pawns of lobbyist...
      AT&T, Verizon and other wireless providers spend millions of dollars every
      year on lobbyist and political campaigns to have laws passed in their favor
      or to keep government departments like the FCC off their backs.

      Campaign financing and fund raising is simply a legalized form of bribery.

      Legalized by the same people benefiting from them... "our" (I use that
      term very lightly) elected officials.
      Masari.Jones
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple relents; allows VOIP over 3G on iPhone

    Works in Canada as well. Nice touch. Just not sure how much data I use for the average call over 3G? Anyone have any idea?
    striker67
    Reply Vote

  • oh please with the Video Calls already

    Name one phone, ereader or smartphone that does, and
    think of it logistically, if there were a camera on the front
    of the ipad, sure you could make Video calls, but what
    happens if you wanted to shoot a video or take a picture,
    you Wouldn't be able to see what you were taking a picture
    of!!!! The lens and the screen would be on the same side
    of the device!!! Meaning that this device would need TWO
    cameras, one on each side!!!

    And please tell me one person who would make video calls
    in public. People skype at home or behind a closed door in
    their business.
    elCharles
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple relents; allows VOIP over 3G on iPhone

    Why is anyone surprised Apple didn't include obvious features
    like a Camers or Multitasking? This is what Apple does... next
    year they'll release version 2 with a camera(s) and maybe one or
    two other enhancements to get people to upgrade or buy one.
    They always hold back obvious and basic features from their
    products.

    The lack of a camera and multitasking is enough for me to
    pass on iPad 1.0....
    Masari.Jones
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple relents; allows VOIP over 3G on iPhone

    But I have to admit... its a good looking device.
    Masari.Jones
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple relents; allows VOIP over 3G on iPhone

    Actually there's USB ports on the ipad, so what's to stop
    someone from plugging a camera into one of them and using
    one of the many apps from the app store to take pictures
    with it? Nothing. DUH. Get over the disappointments people.
    The iPAD was never going to be a laptop replacement. It's a
    great way to do those things that people use netbooks for,
    only lighter, thinner, and with a prettier screen...oh and
    there's 140,000 apps to choose from. Not bad for something
    priced under a grand with wifi & 3g built in.
    docmurdock
    Reply Vote

    • Does it have a USB Port?

      The only thing I read from http://images.apple.com/ipad/specs/ is 30pin
      dock connector to USB Port on your PC/Mac or power adapter. I haven't
      seen any USB Port (Type A, B or any other) for iPad. Ok, bluetooth is
      available but how many good reliable, not expensive cameras are out
      there that would integrate with main system using Bluetooth?

      --Ram-
      Ram U
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple relents; allows VOIP over 3G on iPhone

    perhaps someone has already thought of this, but what if the
    ipad and the iphone worked together? then the camera from
    the iphone could work with the ipad via bluetooth to
    conference?
    stevekesselman
    Reply Vote

    • When you have iPhone, why do you need iPad

      for VOIP. Once Apple releases OS 3.2 that works with VOIP Over 3G, then
      it should work on iPhone. Buying iPad for VOIP is not a good idea when
      you have iPhone. You could do the same when you upgrade your iPhone
      to OS 3.2, i Believe. Ok, I am not sure whether Apple or AT&T would
      allow iPhone users to VOIP over 3G even if they upgrade their OS. That
      would be interesting.
      --Ram--
      Ram U
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Apple relents; allows VOIP over 3G on iPhone

    I use VoIP in my Iphone! I found great company and pay for 9$ month for simple 3G calls!
    Maybe someone search for company of VoIP providers, You can find it at <a href="http://www.voipproviderslist.com/">VoIP</a> directory of companies, I found great provider there for low price!

    Thanks for article!
    peter341
    Reply Vote
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