Turn your iPod touch into a phone

Described by Apple itself as the ‘funnest’ iPod ever, the iPod touch may now be the ‘useful-est’ too thanks to the release of Truphone for the iPod touch, which effectively turns one into a mobile phone.

The application is free to both download and use, just in time to save precious cash when making those Christmas calls to friends and family.

Once installed, and with the addition of microphone adaptor (which you can get from the Apple Store, or from us very shortly), an iPod touch owner can make free calls - no matter where they are in the world - to other iPod touch owners, to customers of Truphone’s Internet telephony service, and to users of the Google Talk™ instant messaging service.

Truphone for the iPod touch will become a one-stop-shop social hub with the following features coming soon:

·        Making and receiving calls to and from landlines (PSTN) at low cost (simply set yourself up with a Truphone account)

·        Instant messaging to Skype and MSN (free)

·        Calling to Skype users (free)

·        Calling to MSN users (free)

·        Check and set facilities for Twitter (free)

·        Check and set facilities for Facebook (free)

Truphone for iPod touch is easily downloaded from Apple’s App Store in exactly the same way as any other iPod touch application.

The application uses the iPod touch's Wi-Fi connection to carry calls over the Internet to its destination. There is no monthly line rental, no subscription or other hidden charges.

So, what type of calls can you make?

·        iPod touch to iPod touch

·        iPod touch to Truphone (some Nokia handsets)

·        Truphone (some Nokia handsets plus iPhone) to iPod touch

·        iPod touch to Google Talk PC user

And what do you need, to make these calls?

·        A second generation iPod touch (i.e. current model)

·        A headset and microphone like those for the iPhone.  These may be bought at high street electronics retailers or from an Apple Store

·        Friends also using Truphone!

So, if you want to start impressing people by calling them without using a 'real phone', why not download Truphone for the iPod touch now. We look forward to hearing what you think of it.

Comments

[Justan Ross]

Hello Everyone,

I just got this for my 2nd gen ipod touch. It works well and I don't think the cost is not that bad. But here is my deal. I'm using my ipod mainly for work purposes. I like how truphone has voicemail. I would like to know, can I set it up so I can receive calls from cell phones and landlines? I don't mind if I have to pay a small monthly fee. I've emailed truphone but no one will get back to me.

[Tru]

Justan - glad the app is working well for you so far. As for your wish to receive calls, we are a little restricted in what can be done given the iPod is not actually a phone. Definitely would be something we would like as well!

[Justan Ross]

Well, actually it can be done. With Fring and using voipstunt and getting a number from didww.com I can receive calls. But no voicemail. But I see you will have skype set up soon and I can recieve calls on it.

[Tyler]

http://www.macally.com/EN/Product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=171

will this mic work with truphone on the 2nd gen touch??

[Tru]

Tyler - we haven't tested this, so can't say yes or no. It looks like this device only has voice recording functionality though, rather than the ability to receive voice calls or have an actual phone conversation.

[Petes]

Tyler - I have used this mic on a 1st gen Touch using Fring to make voip calls via Voipstunt. It all works really well and cheap too.

Can anyone tell me why Truphone cannot work on a 1st gen Touch while using doc mics such as the Macally? Fring and NimBuzz can so why not Truphone? What is the problem?

[Sam]

I just tried Truphone with my Ipod Touch and apple headset, it works really fine. Gives you 0.50$ to try it few times. Nice app, Thx!

[Frank Anderson]

I'm trying to install Truphone on my Touch, i have it on my BB, When i get to he screen that say's "new customer or existing customer" I fill in my information that I used to register with Truphone and press enter and get an error message almost all the time. The times that is has not returned and error message it logs me into the Truphone website, on my Touch, the app does not install. Has anyone else had this problem??

Thanks, Frank

[Tru]

Frank - to set up an account on your iPod, you have two options:

- open a second account (so register as a new customer)

- close your BB account (at this stage, you can only have one account)

If you need any further help, please contact support@truphone.com.

[Frank Anderson]

I tired to set up a new account on my touch but keep getting the same error message. i won't install, is really the problem.

[Frank Anderson]

what I meant to say was, It won't install is really the problem.

[Tru]

Frank - I suggest you email support@truphone.com with a screenshot of the error message you receive, so that they can investigate your issue in full.

[Ben]

Its a really good app I think :)

But I have a 1st Gen Ipod Touch so it wont work lol.

My cousins says she loves it :P

[Karl]

I'm trying to figure out how people are supposed to call me on truphone? Do they dial 883 + the 12 digit number after that? Or how is it done? I've tried calling it from my cell phone, and Verizon says the number doesn't work...

[Jeff]

Please get this to work on 1st gen ipod touch!!!! Thanks, Jeff

[vickie]

Hi

me and my sister both got 2G ipod touch so that i could use truephone to call her when i am working away we installed the application yesterday and were able to make test calls but when we call each other it rings but then there is nothing - no sound and nothing in the microphone? can you give me any idea what is wrong?

thanks

[Sam]

Hi vickie, personnaly I tried it few times to get it to works. First and second time, there was no sound, but after, I've just tried again and again until it works. I didnt spend more than the free 0,50$ account to make it works. Did you try it when you were close to your sister? were you both in wifi area? is the app were loaded both way?

keep trying, I do have a 2G ipod touch and it works great!

Sam

[Tru]

Good answer Sam! Vickie, if you still struggle to set up and use the application, please comment back.

Karl - to receive a call, you need to be connected to Wi-Fi, have the Truphone application open, and the person calling you needs to call your Truphone username (your Truphone number). Feel free to contact support@truphone.com if you need further assistance.

[Petes]

I am using Truphone on an iPod Touch.

What has happened to Skype? Until a few days ago there use to be Skype icon under 'Service List' that basically said 'coming soon'. Now this and the Skype icon have vanished from my Service List. Is Skype coming to Truphone or not?

[Tru]

@Petes - yes, Skype will soon be available on Truphone. But we have removed the icon for now because Apple don't like applications to have 'coming soon' features on them - which is understandable.

[Petes]

@Truphone - excellent! And many thanks for your quick response. It is appreciated.

[esh]

hey guys, so i've made sure i've downloaded the app for the ipod touch (yes its a 2nd generation model) and heres where i'm facing a problem, i followed all the steps that TRUPHONE laid out in their email/website but when i finally enter my details for 'SKYPE' all it does is continue to process my information, i.e. the green progress circle just keeps going and going and theres really no end to it unless i quit the application.

i'd appreciate any help on this!

[Tru]

@esh - we have not released Skype just yet - stay tuned.

[adam]

Hey i really want u guys to make this for 1st gen. i really want it

[KC]

Hi, is it possible for apple to create a firmware update for the iPod touch 1G that would enable the support for mics?
If so, will you be creating a truphone app for that?

Thanks. KC