SDK Changes Open Door to VOIP Over 3G Networks... iPad Phone Calls Possible?

[MacRumors]

iCall announced today that Apple had made changes to iPhone SDK that makes Voice over IP (VOIP) over cellular networks possible.

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 claims to be one of the few VoIP applications that has been permitted by Apple to operate on the iPhone platform. This allows users to make telephone calls over AT&T's 3G data network without using their plan's minutes.

The no-VOIP-over-3G restriction had been in place since the launch of the iPhone SDK due to Apple agreements with AT&T. AT&T announced that it would allow such applications back in October and Apple promised to make the necessary changes.

The change comes with the launch of the Apple iPad which suggests that these same applications could be used to make voice calls on the new device. The 3G enabled iPad notably does not include any voice service with its $30/month unlimited data plan, but it does include a microphone and speaker. We're not sure if these iPad data plans will be somehow excluded from the VOIP apps, but it would otherwise offer an inexpensive contract-free way to make mobile phone calls.

Article Link: SDK Changes Open Door to VOIP Over 3G Networks... iPad Phone Calls Possible?

 

[offwidafairies]

does this mean we can use skype?

 

[Eidorian]

Now it's a waiting game for iPhone OS 4G and updated Touch hardware too.

 

[Jwalker9]

wow, now this could be a killer feature. THE DEATH OF THE HOME LANDLINE!

 

[Jwalker9]

think about it, most people pay like 20-30 bucks for a land line now as it is. if 30 dollars gave you unlimited voice and data from a mobile/home entertainment platform, that justifies paying for the 3g option.

 

[mavis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS (JB3.1, unlocked): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

does this mean we can use skype?

Not yet, but hopefully soon. Since Skype over 3G is the main reason I jailbreak, this could change things ...

 

[scottness]

Nice. I was so ready for this a year ago. Next up... Tethering.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

wow, now this could be a killer feature. THE DEATH OF THE HOME LANDLINE!

Home landline already dead for me.

 

[BollywooD]

why oh why did this thing not come with a camera.....

It would have been pretty close to being "perfect" for a 1st gen device....

bring on the 2nd gen with camera, and the ability to run more than one app, and im sold.

 

[Jwalker9]

Home landline already dead for me.

Us too, but this would really make a perfect replacement. If it had a front facing camera, iChat would actually be really usable from anywhere. This feature will def. be in a later upgrade.

 

[syklee26]

how is the call quality?

how is the VoIP call quality over 3G compared to WiFi?

 

[JoshBoy]

Nice. I was so ready for this a year ago. Next up... Tethering.

I cant get over that some locations still will not allow tethering, mine came for free no issues.

As far as Skype if they allow it over 3G I think it would be great to have a push notification to come up as you are trying to call, if not i guess you could "ping" them, wait for a response, open skype and call. A bit of a run around but I only use 300 meg of my 1 gig per month allowance.

 

[sishaw]

Us too, but this would really make a perfect replacement. If it had a front facing camera, iChat would actually be really usable from anywhere. This feature will def. be in a later upgrade.

People keep talking about a camera for video calling, and not without reason, but couldn't a camera be added as a dock accessory, now that those are allowed? I agree having one onboard would be more elegant, and it may take a while for a manufacturer to make such a device, but it's possible, right?

 

[NeuralControl]

Now if only Apple would allow the Google Voice app into the App Store. That would be tremendous.

 

[syklee26]

Now if only Apple would allow the Google Voice app into the App Store. That would be tremendous.

I heard you can now use G-Voice via Safari.

 

[Halopend]

I'm a little irked there's no multitasking but at the same time it looks to operate so fast the difference seems minimal in most circumstances.

As for the unlock of VOIP over 3G I just hope it carries to good ole Canada and that the data plans don't suck as bad as they do currently. Unlimited doesn't exist, the biggest plan available is 5 GB for $85 with rogers mobile internet!!!! If apple can strangle hold them to $40 unlimited (non-contract) and have VOIP the iPad is an instant buy for me (I don't have a cellphone and it would actually meet my cell needs even with it's size).

 

[sishaw]

I heard you can now use G-Voice via Safari.

Yes, that is correct. Seems to work well so far for me.

 

[s1lent.ey3s]

Blimey, I thought I'd never get to use one of them iPhones. Nice to hear there's something more fitting to my size.
- Hagrid

 

[Aadhil]

I think the ipad beats Chrome OS at it's own game. The OS starts up immediately and you can browse the web immediately afterwards. Also you've got the entire iworks suite at your disposal so that takes care of your word processing and spreadsheet needs

 

[budselectjr]

I enjoy calling 911 with no problems from my home so I will always have a landline.

 

[MNealBarrett]

the iPad has Bluetooth

It was pointed out that the iPad has a speaker and a microphone. Even if it didn't, I thought I'd point out that the iPad has bluetooth, so you could use any old bluetooth headset with it to make calls. Actually, a bluetooth headset would likely work much better than the internal microphone anyway. I can't really envision holding something as big as the iPad up and trying to speak into it, just doesn't seem like it would work well.

 

[corywoolf]

Perfect, just in time for the new Wallstreet sequel being filmed in NYC at this moment! Another giant phone for Gordon Gecko to talk on!

 

[BlasphemyCool]

Has anyone wondered whether Apple produced this subpar product on purpose to crush all expectations, so that when the next generation comes out, we have no expectations? Marketing ploy?

I'm not saying it's horrible. It's quite functional for what it does. I'll buy it when it has a number of features.
(1) 128GB Memory
(2) Better Aesthetics (Skinny Bezel, More Screen)
(3) A hybrid OS. This software resembles iPhone OS too similarly.
(4) 16:9 Screen Ratio. I will not have Apps that don't fit into the screen.
(5) Larger App Icons. Why are they the same size as those on the iPhone homescreen?

iBooks and iWork look insane however. I couldn't expect anything better, except for a sign that indicates subscriptions to Magazines and Newspapers. The new Mail, Photo, Calendar and Contacts looks superb. I'm not too sold on the resemblance between iTunes and the Tablet's iPod. Still looks good though.

Now that I think about it, the thing wasn't too bad. I think we were all expecting to be disappointed, subconsciously. How could a product match the months of hype?

 

[tjanuranus]

why would anyone vote negative on this news. isn't voip a good thing?

 

[syklee26]

why would anyone vote negative on this news. isn't voip a good thing?

They probably work for Ballmer.