"SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
news:4806296c$0$36383$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> Todd Allcock wrote:
>
>> While the Fring service itself is not particularly popular, if you can
>> only have one VoIP app available, it might as well be Fring's, given that
>> versatility.
>
> It's a good service, which has been available for Symbian and WinMo based
> handsets for a while. I agree with 4phun that it's about time they added
> the iPhone to their supported devices. However to call fring a leading
> VOIP provider is a stretch of the truth that only 4phun could manage!

It's Apple Fanboy-speak. If Wendy's Hamburger restaurants offered free WiFi
for iPhone users, they'd be the "leading fast food restaurant chain."

> Note that fring only works on unlocked iPhones, "All you need to start
> enjoying the pre-release fring for iPhone is an “opened” iPhone with the
> Installer and a WiFi access." So for most users, unwilling to hack their
> iPhones, fring is not an option.

True, but that's a necessary evil to having this as a true VoIP app rather
than a "Talkety" like dial-around service, which is more complicated, yet
essentially no better, than using a calling card.

> For now, those that want VOIP on a mobile platform should stick with
> Symbian-based, or Win-Mo based devices.

True, but frankly I doubt many people choose their phone based on what will
work well with VoIP. Even if you travel overseas often, you could always
tote a dedicated WiFi VoIP handset for those uses. VoIP on my mobile is a
convenience for the few times I need it (it came in handy in Mexico a few
months ago- $0.02/min. VoIP beat hell out of $1.49/min. roaming!) but I
certainly didn't choose my phone solely based on VoIP capability. (But it's
VoIP and remote terminal capabilities did allow me NOT to bring a laptop
along.)

> For the iPhone, until it catches up with the other mobile platforms in
> terms of capability, stick with something like Voicestick or OneSuite for
> low-cost per-minute VOIP worldwide long-distance, but you use up your peak
> minutes on your plan.

Which is fine domestically, but this will allow jailbroken iPhone users to
call via WiFi overseas, reducing roaming charges or the need to deal with
the hassle of local prepaid SIMs.

> I particularly like OneSuite's expansion of local access numbers onto
> other continents.

Which is a great thing, particulary for those planning to use payphones or
local SIMs, but if WiFi is available, VoIP is still preferable, IMO. For
short trips, buying a $30 SIM to avoid $30 in roaming charges is a false
economy. My week in Mexico, for example, was a vacation- even with
practically-free VoIP I probably used less than 20 minutes of call time all
week- I (briefly) returned a couple of important work calls and chatted a
little with family. For high volume use, of course, a local SIM and call
forwarding (from the US cellphone number to the local SIM via a VoIP like
Voicestick) would've made more sense, but I wasn't anticipating any
significant usage.