The Truphone Blog

Truphone Slashes Mobile App Calling Rates

As from 1^st September, we're cutting our prices in a big way to offer you Truphone’s most incredible calling rates over Wi-Fi and 3G to date.

International calls from just 1.3p/2.1c per min!

We looked at our 37 most popular calling destinations and have reduced those call rates by at least 50%, which means you'll be able to talk for longer, for less.

So now you can call USA, UK, France, Australia, Canada and many more countries, for just 1.3p/2.1c* per minute!

And of course, you'll still be able to call Truphone, Skype and Google Talk users for free over Wi-Fi and 3G, anywhere in the world, from supported devices.

Upgrade to TruUnlimited and never worry about the time again

We've also reduced our TruUnlimited bundle to just £7.99/$12.95 per month which lets you call 38 countries for as long as you like, without having to worry about how much it's going to cost...

We're also saying goodbye to our TruSaver tariff as it's no longer the same great value it used to be. TruSaver customers will receive an email informing them about the changes.

Find out more about our new pricing now

Happy chatting,

The Truphone Team

p.s. If you have any questions, you can visit our support page within your app or by going to www.truphone.com/support 

* A connection fee of 3p/4.8c applies to each call made. Charges to premium rate numbers may vary.

Background calling on iPhone & iPod 4.0

Recently we released Truphone for iPhone 4.0 & iPod 4.0, which performed in background mode, allowing you to receive calls regardless of what other task you were performing at the time. We believe it’s a great feature that really expands the way you can use Truphone and make calls for free or next to nothing - but a few weeks into it, we are not happy with the way the app has been performing in background mode.

So, we’re doing something about it. We just pushed a new version into the App Store that has all the features you know and love from Truphone, but temporarily it doesn't have the feature that allows people to call you even when the app isn’t open. We’ll add this great feature back in as soon as we’re satisfied that it’s performing properly. You will however still be able to surf the internet and write emails whilst on a call – only the incoming call feature is affected.

If you've been experiencing any issues with the new app, we encourage you to download the new updated version of Truphone for iPhone or iPod and hope you like the results.

We’ll keep you updated with any future developments to background calling.

3G and background calling now available with Truphone v4.0

Unless you have been living in a cave over the past few months, you would have heard about iPhone 4, Apple's latest and greatest phone, which went on sale overnight.

To celebrate, we are all very excited to announce that we have just upgraded our iPhone and iPod touch applications to take advantage of some of the great new features with this launch.

So what’s new with these updates?

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3G Calling

You can now place and receive calls over 3G networks! This means that you have the option to make calls as part of your data package even when out of Wi-Fi range.

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Background calling

This has been one of most requested new features from users of our iPhone app, so one we are very excited about. Thanks to Apple iOS 4’s multi-tasking feature, you can now be on a call and running another application at the same time. You also won't miss incoming calls when running another application and you can place a call while surfing the Internet or checking email.

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Truphone Instant Messenger

We have now added a new feature called Truphone Instant Messenger. For the first time, you will be able to chat via IM with other Truphone users as well as contacts on several of the most popular social networking sites, including Facebook, Skype, AIM, GoogleTalk and MSN – all in one place, without having to open up multiple IM applications.

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Both are now available to download for free from the App Store, or via iTunes.

To download Truphone for iPhone v4.0, click here

To download Truphone for iPod touch v4.0, click here

If you already have either application, you can upgrade now via the App Store to get all of these new features (you will need to have upgraded to iOS 4 first).

Worry about your team, not your phone bill in South Africa.

The preparation is almost complete, the hard months of training are nearly over and the big event is just one day away… Now you just need your team to win!

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa is going to be an incredible event and with many fans travelling thousands of miles to watch their team, what better way to stay in touch with loved ones back home than with Truphone.

With a free Truphone application, you can make low cost calls over Wi-Fi to any local or international number. You can even make free calls to other Truphone, Skype or Google Talk users over Wi-Fi. Check out our rates to the 32 World Cup countries.

So when you arrive, check if your hotel has Wi-Fi and use Truphone to avoid expensive roaming rates. We’ve also got a list of Wi-Fi hotspots which can be found by visiting our special Truphone World Cup page.

Enjoy the World Cup and good luck!

Happy chatting,

The Truphone Team

Troubled voice over 3G

A few things have changed over the last month in the voice-over-internet arena since our last post about why there’s still no VoIP over 3G on the iPhone. Apple has finally given the green light for voice apps that use 3G mobile internet connection, and some of the developers have immediately jumped on the bandwagon. However, we’d like to remain cautious.

Even though it’s now technically possible to have an app for 3G voice calls, we still believe a lot has to be done both from operators and developers to improve quality of internet calls. Truphone is by no means ignoring this new iPhone functionality, yet unless we have something that offers a top quality Truphone experience, we’ll keep working on it.

And we’re not alone on this – in a recent article The Boston Globe says that even though the ‘concept is darn near irresistible’, according to them until the next generation 4G phone network is available, voice calls over mobile internet remain dubious.

In the meantime, we provide a solution in our apps that allows you to make calls outside a Wi-Fi zone – use Truphone as usual and your call will be routed via a local phone number in your home country, it still costs fraction of a usual international call price and the quality is superb.

(image via wikihow)

New Twitter features added to Truphone for iPhone and iPod touch

Version 3.3 of our iPhone and iPod touch (2nd Gen) applications has just been released in the App Store, with some fantastic new Twitter add-ons to give all Twitterers an even better experience when using Twitter on Truphone.

The upgrade includes:

• Integration with yfrog and Twitpic, so you can post photos to your Twitter account
• Integration with bit.ly, so you can shorten links you want to tweet about
• Full Twitter search tools
• The ability to view direct messages as complete conversations
• The ability to follow and unfollow, and read the profiles of other Twitterers
• The ability to change your location, add map links and geotag tweets

This adds to the long list of great features already available, including free calls to Truphone, Skype and Google Talk users, and low cost international calling on the iPhone even if you aren't connected to Wi-Fi.

Upgrade now to take advantage of all the new features, or download if you don't have the application already, via one of the following.

Download Truphone v3.3

Download Truphone for iPod v3.3

New Truphone app for iPhone, enhanced

Truphone is happy to announce that our new enhanced Truphone iPhone application has just gone live in the App Store!

We’ve done a lot of work in response to all of your feedback, notably installing a new speakerphone function and an easier user sign up and sign in process.

We also heard that many of you weren’t aware of how much you could actually do with the Truphone app, so we’ve developed a step-by-step User Guide, taking you on a tour of all of the app’s features.

Other new enhancements include a new look and feel, as well as improved IM allowing you to easily switch between chats, and full Twitter integration.

If you haven’t downloaded the app yet click here to download and let us know what you think!


WHAT'S NEW IN THIS VERSION?

• New look and feel
• Streamlined sign-up
• In app guided tour
• Tru Friends presence
• Speaker phone support
• Improved IM and chat with multi-chat switcher
• Full Twitter integration

Get Truphone from iTunes App Store on your computer or directly on you iPhone.

Truphone OS 3.0 now available, with voicemail notification

With the recent, and much-anticipated launch yesterday of the iPhone OS 3.0 software, we are delighted to announce that a new, OS 3.0 compatible version of Truphone for the iPhone is now available.

'Truphone OS 3.0 for iPhone' uses the new push notification technology in iPhone OS 3.0 to provide Truphone users with a great new feature - Truphone Voicemail with Message Waiting Alerts.

Truphone Voicemail with Message Waiting Alerts allows you to receive a real-time alert whenever another Truphone user leaves a message on your Truphone voicemail, even if you don't have the Truphone application open on your iPhone.

Truphone Message Waiting Alerts gives you:

• On-screen Message Box - tells you who has called and left a message
• App Icon Notification - tells you how many messages you have waiting
• Real-time alerts - gives your callers confidence their message will reach you quickly

This new feature is completely free, as is receiving calls, and retrieving and listening to your voicemail message.

To personalise your Truphone Voicemail Welcome Message, or retrieve your waiting messages, dial 1571 from the Truphone keypad, or click on the Voicemail contact in TruFriends.

How do I get Truphone OS 3.0?

Truphone OS 3.0 is only compatible with iPhone OS 3.0, so you will need to upgrade to iPhone OS 3.0 first (find out more here).

For new users, once you have done this, you can get Truphone OS 3.0 from here for free.

For existing Truphone for the iPhone users, please follow these instructions:

• STEP 1 - Delete your current version of the Truphone application (touch and hold the Truphone application icon until all icons shake, then select the 'x' that appears on the Truphone icon) and restart the iPhone
• STEP 2 - Go to the App Store and install 'Truphone OS 3.0 for iPhone' (not 'Truphone OS 2.0 for iPhone'). Select 'Existing customer' and tap 'Go'. You may be prompted for your account details. If you can't remember your password, you can reset it here

Please note, if users don't upgrade to the iPhone OS 3.0 software, then there don't have to do anything. Truphone will continue working as normal. Users who upgrade to iPhone OS 3.0 but don't install Truphone OS 3.0 for the iPhone may experience some quality issues though.

What about Truphone for the iPod touch?

The latest Truphone for the iPod touch application (v3.0), which launched on May 31, is already compatible with the OS 3.0 software, so users who have downloaded or upgraded the app since May 31 will not be affected. Download the iPod Touch OS 3.0 compatible version here.

Truphone 3.0. Our best app ever!

Today marks the launch of Truphone 3.0, the major new upgrade of our Truphone application for the iPhone.

And we think it is our best app EVER!

Here's a few reasons why:

• Superior Voice Quality. We have greatly improved the voice quality, making the app even clearer than before
• Simpler Instant Messaging (IM). See all of the your Skype, Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo and MSN IM friends on a single page with our more integrated IM section.
• Enhanced User Experience. Ease of use has increased, as have speed of function response, intuitiveness and simplicity – all of which are designed to enhance the user experience.
• Improved Account Management. You can now view your call history, real time, and more with our enhanced account management tool.

To find out more, check out the website.

If you have Truphone for the iPhone already, simply go to the App Store and update the application to take advantage of this great new upgrade.

If you need to download Truphone, you can do so for FREE from here.

Here are some words on Truphone 3.0 from our CEO, Geraldine Wilson.

“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 through 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."

"With these improvements, we believe Truphone 3.0 is the best application on mobile for our customers’ international calling needs as well as staying in touch with all of their IM communities, in or out of Wi-Fi.”

Similar improvements to Truphone for the iPod touch will be announced soon.

AIM launches on Truphone's iPhone and iPod touch apps

We are excited to announce the launch of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), into the iPhone and iPod touch applications.

Now Truphone customers on both devices can reach their AIM friends via their AIM identity.

With the addition of AIM Truphone customers can now keep in touch with over 800 million addressable accounts for free.

The integration of this messaging service reinforces Truphone as the “all-in-one conversations hub” for iPhone and iPod touch users.

Truphone has already integrated Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger into its applications for these devices, blending a combination of voice and Instant Messaging across multiple IM platforms within one application.

“Our goal is for mobile phone users to be able to reach any contact in their address book or on their buddy list, in a low cost way, at any time, using just one application,” said Geraldine Wilson, Truphone CEO. “Today’s announcement means that Apple iPhone and iPod Touch users gain a great way to stay in touch with AIM users. We will continue to integrate further services and functionality, on other platforms too, giving people everything they need to stay in touch all within the Truphone application,” she stated.

Using Truphone to communicate with any of the supported IM services is free over the Internet. When not in Wi-Fi, Apple iPhone users can also make and receive calls and messages to and from Google Talk for the cost of a local call*, using the Truphone Anywhere feature.

You can download Truphone for the iPhone for free from here, and Truphone for the iPod touch for free from here.

 *Operator roaming charges will apply if users are abroad.