Did You Know Your iPod Touch is a Phone?
3:49 pm, December 3rd, 2008, Lonnie Lazar
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.
Posted by Lonnie Lazar in News, Software, iPod, iPod Accessories | Comment on this article
Well, I can not install TruPhone on my iPod touch…
bowreality, on December 3rd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
had quite a delay on it when I tried
Stuart, on December 3rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Does this work with the first generation iPod Touch? It doesn’t have any microphone capabilities that I’m aware of.
AppBeacon, on December 3rd, 2008 at 6:34 pm
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.
Gomem, on December 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
[...] Via: CultOfMac [...]
Touch telephone: Talk on your iPod!, on December 5th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
[...] to makeVoIP calls over the Internet. I am going to try that for sure. It’s awesome! Via: CultOfMac Cell Phone [...]
AT&T to Cut 12,000 Jobs, on December 6th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I own an ipod touch first generation… Is there any way for me to use truphone??? Please help me out in this regard….
Vicky, on December 7th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
@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.
Lonnie Lazar, on December 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
[...] Did You Know Your iPod Touch is a Phone? [...]
My Next Wi-Fi phone? Apple iPod Touch | LucaFiligheddu.com, on December 9th, 2008 at 5:39 am
[...] reported last week on internet voice service provider Truphone’s mobile app that enables Voice over IP phone [...]
iPhone India, India iphone, iphone news and iphone prices, on December 10th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
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..
venu, on February 15th, 2009 at 4:55 am
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?
me, on March 3rd, 2009 at 5:50 pm