FreeCalling
Latest
NetTalk updates Android application with fresh UI, new in-app features
Some members of the Android crowd have been able to happily make gratis calls throughout the US and Canada with NetTalk's app offering for a while now, and today the calling service is pushing out a new version in hopes of improving the all-around user experience. For starters, NetTalk's stuffed a revamped UI inside v2.1.1, while there's also the addition of a couple of in-app features that let folks buy credit to make international calls and sign-up for an account straight from within the application. As NetTalk's CEO, Anastasios Kyriakides, assertively points out, the Android app's "the perfect complement to the NetTalk DUO" -- which, if you recall, touts itself as being the one to help you Fire Your Phone Company. All talking aside, the NetTalk freebies are yours to grab now from Google Play, link is just down below.
100 million smartphone owners in China getting free VoIP through messaging app Weixin
If you're in China and use a free chat app called Weixin on Android or iOS, you're about to get no-charge VoIP as well thanks to an imminent update. The company is set to join the likes of Skype, Viber and Korea's Kakao Talk in providing free cellphone calls to the nation and ought to make a huge splash given the massive 100 million user install base. The Tencent-owned service is also adding Bluetooth support, a matching VoIP web service and a complete redesign of its site, according to TechNode. There's no release date yet or word on whether the English version WeChat will get it, but if so, it might make those pricey cellphone calls to friends and family overseas a lot freer.
Gmail's free voice calls will be available through all of 2011, still only in the US
While the rest of the world has yet to taste the sweet elixir of free voice calls from its email supplier, US-based Gmailers are having their fun extended for a whole new year. Back in August, Google made it possible to dial up voice numbers in the US and Canada for free, and now, in the true holiday spirit of keeping users happy and advertising dollars flowing, Google promises to keep that service free through all of 2011. And if it decides to extend it into 2012, we could have free calls until the end of the world.
Charges for Skype 2.0 calling on iPhone put off until 2011
When Skype 2.0 for the iPhone was released, our first reaction was: "It supports free calling over 3G, hooray!" That was, of course, followed quickly by: "It's only free until August, boo!" However, there's some slightly good news on that latter front, with free calling receiving something of a stay of execution. You can now stick it to the man until the end of 2010, at which point the whole "mobile subscription" thing comes into play. Why the delay, and what will you be paying for the privilege when the new decade really starts rolling? That we just don't know.
3 UK launches Nokia N97, Skype calling's a go
3 UK has thrown the N97 up on its site, so let the Nokia N97 orders begin. Of course, 3's "free calling" is plastered all over the N97's order page, so if you're a Skype fan, or an existing customer enjoying all that free calling, you'll still feel at home. Pricing on this do-it-all bad-boy is £free as long as you're willing to fork out £35 plus per month for the privilege. If you're more of a pay as you go type, fear not, you can still grab the N97, but it'll cost you somewhere in the £319 range. The website lists July 3rd as the earliest shipping date if you grab at it today, so quit reading and start ordering.[Via Unwired View]
Talkster brings free ad-funded worldwide calling
Talkster is -- or rather, hopes to be -- set to steal some Skype thunder in the free phone service world. Using ten second ads at the beginning of each call to fund the service -- which is already supported in some 25 countries and growing -- users can call a single person or set up conference calls for nothing. Calls are set up via a web interface -- accessible by mobile or workstation -- by simply entering your number and the number you wish to call (notice the lack of signing up?) Talkster then sends you and the person you want to call an SMS with each other's local number. Call the number you received -- which can be saved to a contact as it does not change -- when they pick up tell them to hang up and call you back on the Talkster number they received -- yeah, this bit is odd -- and voila, your numbers are bridged and you're set to talk the evening away for nothing. Talkster has already added a Facebook application for its service which'll give you anonymous and free calling to those dodgy old friends on your Facebook friend list.
Gizmo Project makes all VoIP to landline calls free. Forever.
Skype ruffled some feathers in the internet telephony world earlier this year when they announced they'd be offering free SkypeOut calls to the US and Canada for the rest of 2006. We weren't too interested since it came off as little more than a promotion, and we typically skip over promos (for obvious reason). But we're kind of left wondering how Skype -- deep eBay pockets and all -- intends to compete with archrival Gizmo Project's latest tactic: free Gizmo-to-landline calls anywhere, anytime, any amount, forever. We'll probably be spending a while trying to make heads from tails of their business plan which pretty much totally gives away the shop, but who's really going to be reeling here is the rest of the VoIP telephony industry that's currently clawing desperately to monetize on landline phone replacements. Not everything's free with Gizmo Project, however; even though you can all over Europe, Asia, and the Americas (to 60 countries and counting), if you want your pals to call you on Gizmo from their landlines, you're going to have to buy a Call In number. (Fret not though, since those cost as little as $3 a month.) Also, in order to call them up they need to have a number registered to an active Gizmo account, which increases the barrier to entry by a bit. But what started with Captain Crunch's 2600Hz whistle may now end with Gizmo Project's capture of the biggest voice trunk of all time; if this is any sign of things to come, we'd say the free voice revolution may finally have a proper flagbearer. So let the free phone wars begin.
