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Turn an iPod touch into an iPhone with its own packaging
Here's a nice bit of ingenuity. Lifehacker reader Kevin explains how he used a VoIP app (Viber and Line 2 are two nice options) with his iPod's packaging and earbud speakers to create a DIY handset. After smoothing the edges of the plastic backing and wearing a groove to hold the earbud wire, Kevin used a Dremel to place a hole in the back of the plastic, sealing it with a rubber washer to prevent the hole from slicing the wire. Next, he threaded it through and pulled the wire tight to hold it in place. The result is a functional and decidedly geeky iPod touch phone. Well done, Kevin! You'll find additional photos here.
Viber VoIP app for iPhone updated and improved
An update to Viber has hit the App Store today. I was impressed with the original release of this free VoIP client when it came out early last month. I especially liked the voice quality and the notifications. Since the review, Skype with video finally made it to the iPhone and attracted a lot of attention, but I still prefer the audio quality of Viber, and unlike Skype, it doesn't have to be running to get a call notification. Of course, everyone you want to call must be running Viber, but that is the only requirement. Most of the update to Viber is for bug fixes, and there is also an update to the privacy policy, which some users found confusing or objectionable. Viber servers get a copy of your address book names and phone numbers so that the app knows which of your contacts are using Viber without seeing your contact notes or email addresses. You can now read the privacy policy from within the app. New or improved features include a call quality monitor, better Bluetooth support and fixes to international dialing. Viber is also coming to BlackBerry phones and Android. I don't think Viber is ever going to threaten Skype, but in some ways, I like it better. If you are a frequent caller, especially if you call internationally, it's worth a look. Viber is voice only, so no video calling.
Viber VoIP iPhone app: 3G calling, no registration, and totally free
You know those voice minutes you've been coaxed into buying for, like, ever? Now would be an awesome time to bid 'em adieu. Out of nowhere, Viber has swooped in to crush the dreams of Skype and every other VoIP provider out there, and if these guys can reach critical mass, avid iPhone users will certainly be able to buy a mobile plan with fewer minutes. It works as such: install the free app on your iPhone, provide just your phone number (no "registration" is necessary) and then fire it up. Viber uses your existing contact and favorites list, and you can make Viber or standard voice calls from within the app; naturally, a Viber logo pops up beside any contact who is also a user, making it easy to see who you can VoIP call for free. As our brethren over at TUAW point out, there's simply no catch to be found -- well, except for those of you counting your kilobytes on AT&T's newer, metered data plans. Call quality was said to be excellent over 3G and WiFi, and potentially best of all, gratis SMS and an Android version are both on the way. Head on past the break if you need any additional convincing, and tap that iTunes link to get your download on. So, AT&T, what's the value proposition on those "rollover minutes" again?
Viber for iPhone could give Skype a challenge
Viber is a new free VoIP app for the iPhone. It allows you to talk using the AT&T data network, rather than the cellular network. I kept looking for a catch, but there isn't one. Works on WiFi and 3G. Check. You don't need to create a friends list. Check. Alerts you to incoming calls without the app being open. Check. No ads. Check. International and domestic calls between 2 Viber equipped iPhones are free. You aren't burning your voice plan minutes, and soon there will be an Android version. Of course, if you have a metered data plan, you may have to watch out to make sure you don't exceed the limit, but many long-time iPhone users are still hanging on to their unlimited data contracts. In my tests, voice audio quality is terrific. It makes you realize how bad the AT&T wireless voice audio quality really is. Registration for Viber is completely pain free: you give Viber your phone number, and then they text you with an access code. You enter the access code into the app, and then you are on your way. The Viber interface looks just like the built-in iPhone dialer. You can see your regular contact list; the difference is that friends who are on Viber are marked so you know who you can call for free. You can even call out to non-Viber equipped phones, but you'll use your regular minutes. %Gallery-108766%
