It’s one major thing that sets the iPhone apart from the iPod Touch: the ability to make phone calls. However, with the help of a fantastic application, phone calls can be made from the iPod Touch. Best of all, this application is free (but the phone calls may not be free).
This application of which I speak is called, Fring. Visit the Fring website to learn all about what Fring is and what it does. You will also find a link to download the app through the iTunes App Store. You may also search for “Fring” in iTunes, and you will find the app.
Before you begin, you will need to fulfill some prerequisites.
- You need an iPod Touch (or iPhone) with the 2.0 Software Update
- You need an account with a compatible VOIP service, such as Gizmo or Skype. (Account setup is free, but callout services carry a minimal fee. Prices vary.)
- You will need the iPhone Stereo Headset with a microphone ($29).
- Of course, you will need Fring installed on your iPod Touch (free download).
- Finally, you must be connected to a wi-fi access point with Internet access to be able to use the VOIP services.
Connect the Apple Stereo Headset to your iPod Touch. Then, launch Fring.
When you launch Fring for the first time, you will be asked to create an account. Like the app, the account is free to set up.
After you set up your account, tap on the More button in the lower-right corner. Then tap the Add-ons to add your services. Choose the VOIP service you signed up for in the list and provide your credentials for that service. After that, your VOIP service should be set up for use with Fring.
Finally, tap the Dialer button (bottom-center) to begin making a phone call. (In order to make phone calls to land lines (P.O.T.S.) or cell phones, you will need to purchase callout credits from your VOIP service.) Once the dialer appears, dial the number you wish to call. Before you place your call, pay attention to the buttons just below the number pad. You will want to select the proper calling method. For example, if you are using Gizmo, you want to choose SIP. If you are using Skype, you will choose Skype Out. If all is well, you will be making a phone call from your iPod Touch.
If you have any trouble, please refer to the Fring user manual (PDF Download). You may also want to make a visit to the Fring support page.
After some testing, I have found Fring to be an awesome application for the iPod Touch. I have been able to make successful phone calls and carry on a decent conversation with someone using a cell phone. The fact that Fring is free is amazing. But add the fact that it not only allows you to make phone calls on your iPod Touch, it also allows you to utilize major IM protocols (i.e. Gtalk, Yahoo!, AIM, MSN, etc.) and even Twitter. That makes for a fantastic application. As long as Fring exists it will be one of my top recommendations for anyone with an iPod Touch.
The following comments are not as a result of Fring, but the service I use through Fring. This is just to give you an idea of the experience of making phone calls on the iPod Touch.
The audio quality was quite clear. Of course, audio quality will largely depend on your Internet connection speed and the traffic on that connection. I use Gizmo for my VOIP service and it works just fine on a rather slow Internet connection of 512kbps download and 128kbps upload. I occasionally experience lags, which can either be frustrating or amusing. There is about a 1-second delay from the time I speak to the time the person on the other end hears my voice.
One very important thing to keep in mind is that you cannot make emergency (i.e. 9-1-1) calls with these VOIP services. Therefore, this should not be a home phone substitute. In the event of an emergency, you will need to use a normal land line (P.O.T.S.) or a cell phone.
Get fed!
