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Sidecar comes out of beta, reinvents phone calls

Myriam Joire — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

Smartphones have revolutionized how we communicate and the way we create, share and consume content. Yet there's one aspect of using these devices that remains stuck in the last millennium, and that's the calling experience -- yes, apparently some people still make phone calls. Sure, there are plenty of VoIP and video calling apps out there, but few are simple and beautiful.

Enter Sidecar, a free app which aims to reinvent the way we make phone calls by adding messaging as well as real-time video, photo, location and contact sharing to that antiquated calling experience. It achieves this through an intuitive and polished user interface plus a handful of standards such as SIP and XMPP. Phone calls between Sidecar users are free anywhere in the world -- the app even supports free WiFi calling to any number in the US or Canada.

While Sidecar's been available in beta on Android for several weeks, it's launching on iOS today with support for the iPhone and iPod touch. We've been using the app on and off for a few days on several handsets, including a Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ and an iPhone 4S and it works exactly as described. Looking for additional details? Check out the demo video and full PR after the break.

Gallery: Sidecar for iOS

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Sidecar comes out of beta, reinvents phone calls originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sounder launches, we go hands-on (video)

Myriam Joire — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:00:00 EST

We don't know about you, but most of us Engadget editors live in a perpetual state of inbox insanity. Keeping on top of voicemails, text messages, emails, IMs, Twitter DMs, Facebook and Google+ messages -- to name just a few -- is a herculean yet unavoidable task. As a result, personal messages often get drowned out in a sea of work-related correspondence.

Sounder is an app that aims to ease the inbox pain a little by providing a simple and immediate way to speak with those people that matter. Pick a few important Facebook friends and the app lets you talk to them directly at the push of a button via VoIP. The goal is to keep you connected to the folks closest to you. Sounder -- which launches today for free -- supports the iPhone and iPod touch, with iPad, desktop and Android versions in the works. A $0.99 in-app upgrade enables a super slick "flip-to-talk" feature which lets you reply without waking your phone -- just turn it over and speak.

After meeting founders Nancy Broden (of Twitter fame) and Michael Fortson (former Qik Director) at SXSW, we got the chance to take an early prototype of Sounder for a spin and came away impressed with how simple yet effective it is. Since our demo in Austin, the company's been busy fine tuning the app and putting in the final touches -- like that "flip-to-talk" functionality. Want to know more? You'll find some screen shots in the gallery below and our hands-on video after the break.

Gallery: Sounder hands-on

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Sounder launches, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Invoxia NVX 610 desktop VoIP phone for iPhone and iPad hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:43:00 EST

If we're going to spend $599 on a phone, it needs to offer unparalleled audio quality, absolutely seamless device integration, and a drop-dead gorgeous design. Invoxia, a new entrant to the world of VoIP telephony, claims to have created just that, with its NVX 610. The desktop unit uses an iPhone (or iPod touch or iPad) app as its control interface -- the hardware itself includes only touch-sensitive volume, mute, speakerphone, and voicemail keys. With the exception of accessing your iOS device's address book, however, all of the phone's hardware is self-contained. Calls are processed using the built-in ARM Cortex-A8 processor, and can be made via Skype or any third-party SIP. You can also take incoming iPhone calls using the handset or speakerphone, but all outgoing calls are processed using VoIP, not your iPhone's mobile network. We took a peek at the NVX 610 at IFA, and definitely liked what we saw. Jump past the break for our initial impressions, and a (somewhat noisy) intro video from Invoxia CEO Serge Renouard.

Gallery: Invoxia NVX 610 Desktop VoIP Phone for iOS (hands-on)

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Invoxia NVX 610 desktop VoIP phone for iPhone and iPad hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook Messenger iPhone app gives you yet another VoIP option, Zuckerberg yet another good idea

Darren Murph — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:04:00 EST

Think Facebook chat is cool? How's about a billion Facebook chats... with your voice. A company by the name of Crisp App has just pushed out an iOS program that may or may not be pulled at any time. You see, the app essentially enables iPod touch and iPhone users to call their Facebook friends (even if they're logged on via the web) using a VoIP protocol, but there doesn't appear to be any affiliation with Zuckerberg and co. It also allows chatters to shoot over pictures, browse message history, view a friend's wall, use emoticons, receive instant replies with Apple Push Notifications and setup sound notifications. Naturally, it supports background operation, but according to GigaOM, there's still a significant amount of lag present while calling. Still, if you spend more time on Facebook than digging through your standard contact list, you may want to part ways with $2.99 now and pray for a fix in the future -- we get the feeling that time's ticking on this one.

Update: As of April 27, 2011, this app has been renamed "fone." It's available in two flavors: a free build, and a $0.99 version.

Facebook Messenger iPhone app gives you yet another VoIP option, Zuckerberg yet another good idea originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Voice app now supports iPad and iPod touch, brings Click2Call

Darren Murph — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:29:00 EST

So, how exactly does a voice app work on devices without any cellular ties? Glad you asked! Google has just updated the iOS Google Voice app to include support for the iPod touch and iPad, but neither of them can make cellular calls directly. Instead, you can use the app to initiate GVoice calls with a nearby phone. The process is known as Click2Call -- users simply click any 'Call' button within the app and then choose which of their phones they want to ring. It's probably more time consuming than just grabbing your phone from the start, but hey, there it is. In other news, the app now disables text forwarding when you enable Push Notifications (to avoid double alerts), and there's a new Do Not Disturb option in the Settings tab for those who'd prefer to disconnect. Hit the iTunes link below to get your download on, and let us know how things shake out in comments.

Google Voice app now supports iPad and iPod touch, brings Click2Call originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Savant stuffs iPod touch into multifunctional Touch Remote, includes VoIP and FaceTime promises

Vlad Savov — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:52:00 EST

That's no render we're looking at, Savant assures us, it's the most recent photograph of the company's Touch Remote prototype. This crazy do-it-all peripheral comes with an embedded fourth-gen iPod touch -- no word on whether you'll be able to remove it, though it looks unlikely -- and mirrors the abilities of Savant's iPad home control and automation app. That means that once you get your lights, climate control, network cameras, and home cinema hooked up to Savant's control hub, you'll have yourself a neatly streamlined remote to save you doing anything yourself again. Or so goes the theory, anyhow. Savant augments the offering with promises of VoIP and FaceTime integration by the time the Touch Remote ships to retailers in the first quarter of next year. MSRP is set at $399, which may or may not be feasible given that the iPod touch by itself costs at least $229. We shall see. For now, you can see the prototype device on video after the break.

Continue reading Savant stuffs iPod touch into multifunctional Touch Remote, includes VoIP and FaceTime promises

Savant stuffs iPod touch into multifunctional Touch Remote, includes VoIP and FaceTime promises originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Peel 520 coming to US shores shortly for an undisclosed amount

Darren Murph — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:09:00 EST

Build it, and they will come. We suspect the same is true with shipping papers. Go Solar USA most certainly hopes so, as it has just inked a deal with Chinese developer Yosion to bring the much-hyped Apple Peel 520 to the US of A. For those unaware, this slip-on case effectively turns your iPod touch into an iPhone, as it equips your PMP with a SIM card slot and the software needed to make / receive calls and texts. Granted, it's not without its flaws, but for "around $60," it's not a half-bad alternative to handing over your cellular soul to AT&T. Both companies have reportedly agreed to work together to distribute it in the United States, but it's unclear when those shipments will start and how much it'll retail for once it arrives. Oh, and don't hold your breath for compatibility with the latest and greatest touch -- just sayin'.

Continue reading Apple Peel 520 coming to US shores shortly for an undisclosed amount

Apple Peel 520 coming to US shores shortly for an undisclosed amount originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 07:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple Peel 520 gets reviewed: turns your iPod touch into an iPhone, but quirks exist

Darren Murph — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:38:00 EST

No one expressly said that the Apple Peel 520 would change your life, but if you play your cards right, that's not entirely out of the question. The mysterious doodad -- which wraps around your iPod touch and holds an extended battery and SIM card -- has caused quite the stir since being revealed late last month, and now it has undergone a full review overseas. Put simply, the device does work as advertised, turning one's iPod touch into a device fully capable of making / receiving calls as well as texts. 'Course, you'll need to jailbreak your device first, and you'll have to deal with a static (read: impossible to adjust) call volume, quirky SMS delivery and blanked messages for missed calls, but hey -- a small price to pay for the upgrade, right? Hit the source link for the full skinny and a video to boot.

Apple Peel 520 gets reviewed: turns your iPod touch into an iPhone, but quirks exist originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vonage Mobile iPhone and BlackBerry apps available for download

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:33:00 EST

You remember Vonage right? The trailblazing VoiP company is still around and appears at first glance to have instigated a bit of coup in the battle for VoiP calls over AT&T connections. Unfortunately they haven't, at least not yet. See, the free Vonage Mobile app just added to the iTunes App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch has been approved for making international calls over AT&T's cellular network (take that Skype) in addition to WiFi. Unfortunately, we're not talking about SIP calls over EDGE/HSDPA data. Like the rejected Google Voice app, if you're out of WiFi range but still have voice service then Vonage Mobile will redirect your international call (entered directly into the App or selected from your address book) to a local access number in the US -- you're then using your AT&T minutes while being charged Vonage Mobile's discounted worldwide calling rates. The app is strictly pay-as-you-go for the moment and will not give free global calling to those who subscribe to Vonage's $25 per month Vonage World plan -- Vonage says that will come before the end of the year. The Vonage Mobile app for BlackBerry only works over your carrier's voice network while the iPod touch app only works over WiFi, naturally. Also, BlackBerry users will revert to Vonage's lower rates anytime they make an international call whereas iPhone users must launch the Vonage application first.

[Thanks, Ricky B.]

Filed under: Software, iPhone OS, BlackBerry OS

Vonage Mobile iPhone and BlackBerry apps available for download originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vonage Mobile iPhone and BlackBerry apps available for download

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:33:00 EST

You remember Vonage right? The trailblazing VoIP company is still around and appears at first glance to have instigated a bit of coup in the battle for VoIP calls over AT&T connections. Unfortunately they haven't, at least not yet. See, the free Vonage Mobile app just added to the iTunes App Store for the iPhone and iPod touch has been approved for making international calls over AT&T's cellular network (take that Skype) in addition to WiFi. Unfortunately, we're not talking about SIP calls over EDGE/HSDPA data. Like the rejected Google Voice app, if you're out of WiFi range but still have voice service then Vonage Mobile will redirect your international call (entered directly into the App or selected from your address book) to a local access number in the US -- you're then using your AT&T minutes while being charged Vonage Mobile's discounted worldwide calling rates. The app is strictly pay-as-you-go for the moment and will not give free global calling to those who subscribe to Vonage's $25 per month Vonage World plan -- Vonage says that will come before the end of the year. The Vonage Mobile app for BlackBerry only works over your carrier's voice network while the iPod touch app only works over WiFi, naturally. Also, BlackBerry users will revert to Vonage's lower rates anytime they make an international call whereas iPhone users must launch the Vonage application first.

[Thanks, Ricky B.]

Vonage Mobile iPhone and BlackBerry apps available for download originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype App coming to iPhone on Tuesday, Blackberry in May

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:50:00 EST

It's legit; Skype is coming to the iPhone on Tuesday, BlackBerry devices in May. While we've seen plenty of Skype-capable apps on the iPhone, the poor, often echo-infected calls should be easily bested by the official Skype App that doesn't need the extra audio transcoding workaround required by the existing crop of unofficial apps. The Skype app works over WiFi only (not over EDGE or 3G data) and supports calls to SkypeOut contacts in addition to many of the other features you've used from the desktop client. iPod touch owners will require earphones with an embedded mic to talk. CNET has a hands-on preview of the App just as long as you can muster the energy required to hit the read link below.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Software, Apple

Skype App coming to iPhone on Tuesday, Blackberry in May originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype App coming to iPhone on Tuesday, Blackberry in May

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:50:00 EST

Filed under: Cellphones

Skype App coming to iPhone on Tuesday, Blackberry in May originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPod touch gets microphone for VoIP via modded dongle

Joshua Topolsky — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:58:00 EST

Now that the startling mystery of VoIP has been cracked wide open on the iPod touch, it was only a matter of time before other, related mysteries were broken apart and inspected. One such case involves the process of getting the sound of your voice into the formerly-audio-out-only device, which must be accomplished via the use of some type of audio-in microphone dongle, which now -- thanks to one clever man -- has been hacked for VoIP-on-touch purposes. Using the hideous, yet cheap, Macally iVoiceIII audio recorder add-on for 5G iPods, and the simple soldering of a jumper to the board, you can be chatting away like a madman (provided you've got some WiFi) on your touch. Check the read link for the simple steps, and get ready to stick it to the man (his name is Mr. Steve Jobs, by the way) once again.

Filed under: Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video

iPod touch gets microphone for VoIP via modded dongle originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Touchmods SIP VoIP client for iPod touch is out tonight

Ryan Block — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:38:00 EST

Got an iPod touch? And some audio input hardware? Want to make some VoIP calls? If you answered yes to all of the above, you'll want to check out the Touchmods site later tonight, when they'll supposedly be releasing their full-on SIP client for the touch. Hopefully by now it's a little more prettied up than the last time we saw the thing above. If those last videos are anything to go by, though, it looks like it will be.

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Networking

Touchmods SIP VoIP client for iPod touch is out tonight originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPod touch SIP-VoIP application videoed in action

Darren Murph — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:21:00 EST

Sure, there's less than 24 hours before everyone and their grandmother can hop online and grab 'hold of the SIP-VoIP application, but if you won't be bothered with it unless there's proof that it works, you're in the right place. The crafty folks over at touch mods have videoed "the first VoIP call" made with an iPod touch, the aforementioned software and their own microphone appendage. Granted, the dialogue is about as uninteresting as it gets, but trust us, that's not what's important here. Check out a couple of in-action videos after the jump.

[Thanks, Tyler]

Continue reading iPod touch SIP-VoIP application videoed in action

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

iPod touch SIP-VoIP application videoed in action originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPod touch SIP-VoIP application: free on New Year's Day

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 08:21:00 EST

Remember that VoIP hack for the iPod touch. Right, the one that requires an external mic. Well, mark your calendars Jailbreakers, the software will be available for download on New Year's Day. SIP-VoIP is free, but your donations will gladly (and rightfully) be accepted.

[Thanks, RadicalxEdward]

iPod touch SIP-VoIP application: free on New Year's Day originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VoIP said to be working on iPod touch

Donald Melanson — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:58:00 EST

We've already seen a microphone rigged for use with the iPod touch, and it now looks like that hack could soon be about to get a whole lot more useful, as the iPod Touch Mods blog is reporting that an enterprising individual known only as "eok" has managed to get VoIP working on the device. According to the blog, eok used the SIP-based SvSIP application originally developed for the Nintendo DS as the basis for the hack, although there's unfortunately few other details at the moment, let alone the recompiled version of the app itself, or even a screenshot of it in action. Given the history of these things, however, we wouldn't expect it to take too long for those tidbits to trickle out, assuming the hack lives up to its promise, that is.

[Thanks, RadicalxEdward]

Filed under: Portable Audio

VoIP said to be working on iPod touch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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