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Apple Now Accepting iPad Apps, Planning “Grand Opening” of iPad App Store

Apple is now accepting iPad apps for a “grand opening” of the iPad App Store, according to an email just sent to registered developers.
“iPad will begin shipping soon and your opportunity to be part of the grand opening of the iPad App Store starts today,” the email says.
There’s no details about when the store’s grand [...]

Security Expert: “Mac OS X Is Safer, But Less Secure”

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Tech site H-Online has an interesting story today, quoting security expert Charlie Miller about his forthcoming talk at the CanSecWest conference next week.
He says OS X is full of security holes. There are lots more than in Windows, he claims.
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Apple Devotes Entire Home Page To Jerome York Obituary

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Coming Soon: Steve Jobs, the Sitcom

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Did You Know Your iPod Touch is a Phone?

With the arrival, finally, of Apple’s Premium earphones with remote and mic, you can now use your iPod Touch as a telephone through the magic of free software from the VoIP pioneers at TruPhone.

Actually, that’s somewhat inaccurate. You’ve been able to partake of TruPhone’s magic previously using a microphone adapter that plugs into the dock connector, or a headset with built-in mic like the one that ships with iPhones, but now that Apple’s new headsets are on the way, TruPhone’s app seems much more interesting.

Once you’ve installed the software, you can make free calls—no matter where you are in the world—to other iPod touch owners, to customers of Truphone’s Internet telephony service and to users of Google Talk™ instant messaging service. Support for low cost calling to landlines (PSTN) is on the way, according to company reps, as is support for calling and instant messaging to Skype and MSN (free) and free check and set facilities for both Twitter and Facebook.

The software uses the iPod touch’s Wi-Fi connection to carry VoIP calls over the Internet to its destination. There is no monthly line rental, no subscription or other hidden charges, but it should be noted calls are not handed off to the cellular network if you move beyond or lose your WiFi connection.

Still, when you bought that iPod Touch, I bet you didn’t think you were getting a telephone, too.

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About the author

Lonnie Lazar

Lonnie Lazar is a writer, musician, web designer attorney. He writes about Apple for Cult of Mac and Mac|Life, and about VoIP and telecommunications for Voxilla. Follow Lonnie on Twitter @LonnieLazar, join the Cult of Mac on Facebook, and find Lonnie's photos on Flickr.

Email the author | Read more posts by Lonnie Lazar.

12 comments

    Well, I can not install TruPhone on my iPod touch…

    had quite a delay on it when I tried

    Does this work with the first generation iPod Touch? It doesn’t have any microphone capabilities that I’m aware of.

    This only works with second gen iPod Touch. With a first gen it would be “Hello,.. Hello.. HELLO !!!” as that don’t support the mic on the premium headphones.

    [...] to makeVoIP calls over the Internet. I am going to try that for sure. It’s awesome! Via: CultOfMac Cell Phone [...]

    I own an ipod touch first generation… Is there any way for me to use truphone??? Please help me out in this regard….

    @Vicky – I think you are out of luck. The Truphone app requires a microphone and if I’m not mistaken the 1stG iPod Touch is without one.

    [...] Did You Know Your iPod Touch is a Phone? [...]

    [...] reported last week on internet voice service provider Truphone’s mobile app that enables Voice over IP phone [...]

    look.. I have a first gen iPod touch and I want to find out abt how to make free phone calls across the world.. the earphones I use are an iPhones so they have a mic too.. please tell me abt wat I can do..

    Actually, you can get a mic for the first gen ipod touch. i have a first gen with a mic and i have a working shazam on it too. you have to have a dock mic ( like the iVoice )
    So is there anyway to get truphone for the 1st gen?

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