Business News Holding

Tag: mobile-voip

  • fring Mobile VoIP Gets WinMo Approval


    Microsoft has awarded fring’s mobile VoIP application its “Designed for Window Mobile” certification.

    The approval is the latest for fring, which has been working to develop its popular IM/ VOIP application for different platforms.

    In October, fring was approved by Apple for use on its iPhone and iPod devices.

    The company has also released a new version of fring for Windows Mobile devices (version 3.34), including Sony Ericsson’s new Xperia multimedia device.

    New features include the ability to send files over IP to fring, Skype, MSN and Yahoo contacts at the touch of a button.

    Navigation has been improved with a new ‘Go- To menu’, ‘Privacy’, and ‘Joystick-In’ settings, while Add-ons have been extended and improved and can be managed more easily through a new Add-Ons Management screen.

    Fring for Windows Mobile also allows HTC users to use earpieces for extra privacy.

    The application is available to to download from fring now.

  • Skype Users To Get Access To Boingo Wi-Fi Network


    Boingo Wireless has agreed a deal that will allow Skype users to access more than 100,000 Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide, and pay using Skype Credit.

    The feature, called Skype Access, will be embedded into Skype as a core feature, first in the Skype for Mac 2.8 Beta software just released and then in versions of Skype for other operating systems sometime in 2009.

    The new application lets users connect to a Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot with a single click and to pay per minute only for what they use.

    Skype Access actively scans for available Boingo hotspots and presents a pop-up dialogue box displaying the price per minute to use the Boingo network using Skype Credit.

    Boingo’s Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy apply and access to all Internet services will be provided on a simple, per minute billing basis.

    Boingo offers Wi-Fi hotspots by combining more than 100,000 locations from more than 150 leading Wi-Fi operators into one worldwide network spanning 90 countries.

    Luis Alfonso Serrano, vice president of network strategy for Boingo Wireless, said the agrrement meant Skype users will be able to access hotspots around the world via the Boingo Network for their Skype calls.

    "Boingo provides digital nomads – no matter where they are in the world – with an easy and fast way to get online," he said.

    By sharing one authentication and enrollment process, one download and one payment method, the Skype-Boingo collaboration clears a path between one of the most popular communications platforms on the Internet with the world’s largest network of Wi-Fi hotspot operators.

    In addition to Skype credit and a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop, users must have Skype for Mac 2.8 Beta installed and running.

    Prices will vary based on location and currency. There are no connection fees or monthly charges for Skype Access.

  • Jaxtr Gambles On Free Mobile Calling


    Jaxtr has launched a new service called FreeConnect that allows subscribers to talk to each other for free on their mobile phones.

    The VoIP startup’s CEO, Bahman Koohestani, said he expected the service to attract new members, some of who will switch to the more convenient and feature rich premium services offered by Jaxtr.

    The free calls ploy has been used beforeby other VoIP companies – among them Rebtel and AOL – but has never proven to be a great success.

    A drawback to FreeConnect is its complexity. All users have to be members of Jaxtr.

    To make a call, the number has to be entered into Jaxtr, which then provides a local number for the caller to use.

    This is then dialled on the cell phone and Jaxtr sends an SMS message to the person being called with a number that’s local for them.

    They then dial this number and the two callers can then have a free mobile call for as long as they like.

    While the call set-up is long-winded, once doen the same local numbers can be used again in the future.

    What Jaxtr is hoping is that sufficient numbers of callers will tire of the process and make their calls on Jaxtr’s paid service.

    Koohestani insists that FreeConnect will not just be available for a trial period.

    That remains to be seen, especially as Jaxtr will incur overhead costs for the FreeConnect service.

    In June, the company completed a USD $10 million funding round but then had to lay off 13 staff.

    Its CEO Konstantin Guericke then resigned and Koohestani (VP Engineering) stepped up to be interim CEO.

  • Vyke Launches Mobile VoIP For Blackberry


    Vyke has released a beta version of its Mobile VoIP software and service for Blackberry devices using RIM software.

    The addition of the Blackberry software now means Vyke’s VoIP solution is available on the three most used mobile operating systems in the enterprise market – Symbian, Windows Mobile and RIM.

    Vyke says its Blackberry solution is unique as it uses a variation of VoIP which enables users to make VoIP calls over the Vyke network at any time their phone has GSM coverage, not only when the phone is in range of Wi-Fi or 3G mobile data coverage.

    The software supports most Blackberry devices dating back as far as 2003.

  • OnePhone VoIP Client Coming To Blackberry


    Devoteam is to release a Blackberry version of its VoIP client OnePhone that runs on mobile platforms enabling voice calls over an IP network.

    It is expected to be available for the RIM handset in the first quarter of 2009.

    OnePhone is a SIP-based, dual mode GSM-WiFi solution that is able to interwork with public and private WiFi hot spots, and with mobile networks.

    The application, which effectively turns mobile devices into extensions of employees’ desk phones, is also being made ready for Android and the iPhone.

    Christoph Wernli, business development manager at Devoteam, told voip.biz-news that legal requirements meant the application would have to be modified to comply with Apple’s legal requirements for services such as VoIP functionality.

    That aside, he said the aim was to expand beyond the current offering for Symbian and Windows Mobile handset to provide its clients – and in particular operators – with a wider choice of devices on which OnePhone can be used.

    "What we are aiming to do is create this same kind of convergence platform for all operating systems out there," he said.

  • Vyke Announces Mobile VoIP For Windows Smartphones


    Vyke Communications has announced a beta version of its mobile VoIP software and service for all Windows Mobile 6.0 and higher based smartphones.

    The solution is based on Vyke’s stand-alone proprietary mobile VoIP technology, which the company claims allows it to provide high quality voice service while circumventing any operator handset tampering issues.

    Jan Berger, chief marketing officer, Vyke Communications, said the mobile VoIP software addressed the significant portion of the enterprise market that is Windows Mobile based.

    "As this stand alone software is compatible with a wide cross section of business orientated mobile handsets, it adds significantly to our potential customer base and will be an important tool in helping our enterprise sales team reach its goals," she said.

    While primarily intended for the enterprise sector, Vyke said the beta software will also be available for consumers to download before the end of November.

  • World's First WiMax/GSM Mobile Supports VoIP


    HTC has announced the launch of the MAX 4G, the first dual-mode WiMax/GSM Windows Mobile device.

    Undoubtedly the best specced WinMo device so far, calls between MAX 4Gs will automatically be routed over the WiMAX airwaves using VoIP.

    Initially only being released in Russia by mobile WiMAX operator Scartel, which operates under the brand name Yota, the Max 4G supports GSM calls using a Sim card from any Russian network operator.

    When both callers are Yota subscribers, the call will automatically be routed as a VoIP call over the Yota mobile WiMAX network.

    The Yota phone service includes functions such as call holding, conference calling and video calling using the VGA camera on the front of the device.

    The handset features 8GB internal flash memory, a 3.8-inch 800×480 WVGA touch-screen display , TV out capability, a 3.5-mm headphones jack, integrated GPS, 5 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6.1 and HTC’s proprietary Touch Flo 3D user interface.

    The basic Yota Home package will provide access to online games, maps, messaging and file exchange applications while on the move.

    Users will also be able to view online films, video and TV programmes.

    With Yota Video, a full video-on-demand service, users can watch their favourite movies and videos from their personal Yota catalogue on the handset.

    Yota TV broadcasts 14 free channels, while Yota Music offers an online music catalogue of over 50,000 titles.

    Yota Yap-yap allows contacts to be synchronised and edited through the web, and video clips and phones data uploaded to yota.ru. Images taken with the camera can be geo-tagged using coordinates from the integrated GPS.

  • Truphone announces VoIP app for BlackBerry


    The VoIP mobile software developer Truphone has launched a beta version of its iPhone app for RIM’s BlackBerry 8801 and Curve devices.

    While Truphone Anywhere for Blackberry only works on WiFi enabled BlackBerrys at the moment it will be rolled out for 3G at some point.

    Offering similar services and features as found on Truphone’s Symbian S60 and Apple iPhone platforms, the free VoIP service provides discount calling around the world.

    Truphone doesn’t currently offer a Windows Mobile version but one is understood to be in development.

    The software can be downloaded via Blackberry’s built-in browser.

    It integrates with the handset’s address book and the newer version of the software routes calls via the cheapest network available to the handset, be it GSM or Truphone’s service over VOIP, but only if you select this manually.

    Geraldine Wilson, the new CEO of Truphone, said: "There’s no GSM business tariff that gets close to the prices we can offer BlackBerry users with Truphone for international calling."

  • iSkoot is First VoIP Application in Android Market


    iSkoot has announced that its mobile application, iSkoot for Skype, is launching in the Android Market.

    It is the first VoIP solution available on Google’s new mobile application store.

    Available immediately for download, iSkoot for Skype also runs on nearly all major mobile platforms, including J2ME, S60v3, UIQ, Palm, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry.

    iSkoot’s solution supports the Skype software, offering Android users on any cellular network the ability to make Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls on their mobile phone. Users can also receive Skype calls and use Skype text chat.

    Although the service offers greatly reduced prices, the calls are not free. See iSkoot’s website for pricing details.

    Jim Hudak, iSkoot vice president of business development, said: "iSkoot continues to work on delivering innovative products that give people a rich mobile experience so that they can cut the cord from their desktop."

    San Francisco-based iSkoot has built significant momentum during the past year with the recent acquisition of Social.IM, the social network IM client.

  • DeFi Offers Worldwide Wifi VoIP


    DeFi Mobile has launched a new service that aims to reduce international mobile roaming charges by substituting wifi VoIP for cellular calls whenever possible.

    DeFi Global Access lets customers use their dual-mode cellular/wifi handsets to make calls through international wifi hotspots.

    It costs USD $40 per month and gives users a phone number in the country of their choice – currently from a list of 40.

    This allows them to make and receive unlimited global wifi calls.

    For an extra USD $10 per month customers can have two more numbers in any of the listed countries, so that friends and relatives in those locations can phone them for the price of a local call.

    The flat monthly fee lets customers connect through the hotspots of a longlist of operators, including AT&T Wireless, FON, free-hotspot.com, Orange France SA, T-Mobile International AG and VEX.

    DeFi says it has arranged more than 50 partnerships that provide wifi access in upward of 75 countries, 15,000 hotels and 120 airports.

    Jeff Rice, CEO of DeFi, said to ensure call quality customers would have direct connections with hundreds of telecom carriers through a colocation center in a major undersea cable landing station.

    Users download client software to their handset – currently it’s available for Nokia Symbian handsets, with other versions coming.

    The software automaticaly makes a connection when the handset is in range of an accessible hotspot, and routes calls over the DeFi network rather than the cellular network.