“Customers tell us they want three things: simplicity, quality and a good deal. Those principles drive our innovation, and Truphone 3.0 delivers on all three. We’ve dramatically improved our UI and account management tools. We’ve eliminated the need for compression by utilizing new advances in signal processing, making calls crystal clear. And, just as we always do, Truphone 3.0 sets a new benchmark in terms of quality and performance that competitors will have a tough time matching”, said Geraldine Wilson, CEO Truphone.

“Millions of people around the world already have an iPod touch in their pocket. With JAJAH’s solution, any company can turn their customers’ iPod touch into a fully functioning mobile phone,” said Trevor Healy, CEO, JAJAH. “The device is particularly popular amongst students, who live in a world where Wi-Fi access is always available and, like everyone, they are looking to save costs, so this is a perfect solution.”

JAJAH’s next generation IP communications platform gives its partners everything they need to launch the service immediately. This includes the application itself, plus the entire suite of management services, from termination of the calls and quality control, right through to billing and processing payments in 200 countries around the world.

Anyone with the latest version of the iPod touch will be able to download the service from the Apple App Store. With a microphone headset (available from Apple), users will immediately be able to make calls and send SMS messages from their device from any Wi-Fi network in the world. Calling costs will be up to 98 percent cheaper than existing rates on mobile networks, and in many cases could be free.

Truphone also announced the availability of well full two-way instant messaging over MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk on the iPhone, which would be available on the week of January 12th. Customers can also make and receive voice calls on Google Talk; calling functionality will be added to MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger in the coming weeks.

“The introduction of Skype calling and instant messaging represents yet another breakthrough for Truphone,” said Geraldine Wilson, Truphone CEO. “What this means for Truphone’s customers is that they can now call or message all their Skype friends using their iPhone or iPod touch. This allows iPhone and iPod touch users to have a choice in how they stay in touch with friends and colleagues around the world-all within the one application.”

[via iphonebuzz]

Alec Saunders started the thread:

2008: The Year that VoIP died

It seems highly likely to me that at some point in the future we’ll all look back and say that 2008 was the year that the VoIP industry finally died.  With all due respect to my very good friends Jon Arnold, and Andy Abramson, it’s about time.

Voice over IP is just a transport and signalling technology. It’s plumbing.  It may come as a surprise to some of you to know that in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s there was a TCP/IP industry as well. TCP/IP is inarguably plumbing.  As the IP stack became common on all computing devices, TCP/IP went from being a differentiator to a commodity.

Jeff Pulver left a response:

VoIP is NOT Dead!

Today is December 31, 2008 and I find it real interesting some of my friends have declared 2008 as the year that VoIP died.

On the eve of 2009 the promise of VoIP is alive and well and living in the hearts of many people who believe in the future of innovation in communications. Ask many of my friends including: Vint Cert, Henry Sinnreich, Joe Rinde or Daniel Berninger and they would agree with me that one day the vision and the promise of end-to-end IP based communications WILL happen. The Internet communications revolution is STILL happening. In fact, we are living in an Internet Communications Continuum.
….
And when I refer to the Internet Communications Continuum, I am referring to how I envision the continued evolution of the IP Communications Industry. In my case, this continuum represents all forms of IP Communications, including: VoIP, Instant Messaging, Presence, IP Signaling, Internet TV, Unified Communications, Social Media and more

Meanwhile, Ken put another perspective: beyond the  dead or alive idea.

VoIP – Is it dead or alive? Or simply boring?

VoIP is not disruptive. It’s over ten years old. It isn’t innovative today. VoIP is a tried and true technology. It’s tested and proven. It’s been carrying massive volumes of voice calls for a long time now. It’s almost what I’d call a legacy technology at this point.

The failing of the unified communications industry segment has been that solution providers aren’t selling comprehensive integrated solutions yet. They’re still selling technology widgets. VoIP is a technology widget that is simply part of the established infrastructure. It’s not new. It’s not sexy. It’s not disruptive.

VoIP is neither alive nor dead. It’s like air or water. It simply is. It’s time to quit kicking that particular dead horse because nobody cares. Yesterday in another post, I likened Cisco to vanilla ice cream – boring.

My take? It’s so simple. I still like to use some VoIP-based applications to communicate with friends in my PC or cell-phone.  Since I can enjoy it with the reliable services and affordable prices (even free of charge beyond the normal network/GPRS charges), so I think I still need it. How about you?

Anyway, thanks for the great and insightful debates!

Last year, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has included the South Korea’s WiBro technology as one of its 3G communications standards. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics were currently unveiling diverse WiBro devices.

KT are expected to start mobile network business by itself with its Wibro network. If KT will provide mobile network business with Wibro, the cost will be cheaper than other MNOs’ operating cost. KCC decided to assign the remaining frequency for Wibro, 2360 ~ 2400 MHz, to new operator preferentially. KCC is also considering to assign 2.5 GHz to new Wibro operator. Due to this, Cable TV operator and other company could begin mobile network business through Wibro.

Today, KCC will allow to use 010 access code, mobile phone prefix in Korea, for Wibro operator. That means Wibro operators can provide mobile network service like existing MNOs. If more companies are coming with Wibro network, more various mobile services would be available for Korean customers.

LG's WiBro-capable device

[via 3Gweek]

Truphone for BlackBerry smartphones is available to download for free from www.truphone.com/blackberry. Alternatively, Handango users may also download Truphone from www.handango.com.

Truphone Anywhere works in 33 countries worldwide. “There’s no GSM business tariff that gets close to the prices we can offer BlackBerry users with Truphone for international calling,” said Geraldine Wilson, new CEO of Truphone.

This client is available to download for free from www.truphone.com/blackberry or www.handango.com for Handago users. There are no monthly subscriptions or other charges.

fring is a free, downloadable mobile phone application enabling free mVoIP (mobile VoIP) calls, real-time presence and live chat with multiple IM providers. fring users or “fringsters” mVoIP communicate with other fring users, landline or cellular phones using SkypeOut and SIP providers as well as PC contacts through Skype, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, Twitter and ICQ, all through one integrated contact list.

You can download fring here

http://www.fring.com/download

via [symbian-freak]

Here is a list of features in details

• Can call directly using iPhone to another person with iPhone running Fring
• Call MSN or Skype users that are using their computer
• Call using Skype account, which allows you to have your own Skype number and at a discount rate for international calls
• Receive phone calls using Skype with your own custom Skype number
• Basic chat functions with most chat platforms, such as AIM, Yahoo and ICQ

Click here to view the embedded video.

via [macrumors]

The DesignCentre wrote:

No software installation required, and no buttons – this Hulger phone is as sleek as it gets, as the functions of the computer interface replace the buttons and phone-screen menu. Each phone is handmade to order from one piece of wood. The design has been conceived to “wear in” not wear out, so this phone will only get better with use.

Specifications:

• Plugs directly into MAC + PC.
• Plug-and-play, no need for software installation.
• Works with all VoIP services (Skype, iChat, GoogleTalk, Vonage, Yahoo, etc.).
• Handset Cord Length 1.5 metres.
• Original Design by Hulger, handmade by Furni of Montreal.