Well, looks like the VOIP (Voice Over IP [internet protocol]- basically the ability to talk in real time over the internet) revolution really is taking over. And why not? Cheaper prices, easy to use, sometimes even free, and now you can use it on your normal handsets! I have a Nokia N80 (see my previous post on the Nokia N80) which is great because as I mention, it has WiFi. Which means in a hotspot, it costs me absolutely nothing to connect to the web. Using the Nokia Phone Software (aka Firmware updater) I recently updated my firmware, and for some odd reason, I was updated to the Nokia N80ie (internet edition) firmware for free! Normally, an N80ie is more expensive and harder to get hold of than the regular N80. Therefore, I found this update as quite a pleasant surprise. What this firmware adds is an “Internet” folder in the menu and a nicer browser, but more importantly, VOIP support. The Nokia N80 runs on Symbian OS 9.1, meaning that it is completely expandable and lots of nice apps can be installed. Now, I am not quite sure what this “VOIP support” really means, as before performing this update, I was able to install an excellent app called Fring. Fring allows you to connect to your Skype client and use your Skype contacts, Google talk, MSN and SIP- and it’s free! This means that combining WiFi connectivity and Fring gives me free calls to computers and much cheaper calls to other phones using SkypeOut credit. You can call mobiles, text, landlines and even set up voicemail! So, Fring is very much recommended for Nokia S60 users.
Now the only major disadvantage I found with Fring was that bandwidth wasn’t quite enough, and sometimes the connection became dodgy and voices got choppy. But, I really have nothing to complain about, it was free, and is still in early stages.
So, when I updated my N80 to N80ie, I was able to install Truphone, another VOIP client for phones. Truphone works in much the same way and does many of the things Fring does, but I didn’t find it quite as functional as Fring as it did not connect to Skype contacts, and in the end the installation was so painful I gave up. I tried it on a friend’s phone, but still, the connection was dodgy so it really wasn’t any better than Fring. So Fring wins out of the two. But, things will probably improve, both services are still in BETA.
Both apps are free and are for S60 phones mainly, but are beginning to support other phones aswell. Both now support 3G aswell, but unless you are on a contract, this would not be free. Both companies are in close competition, and as I said, they are beginning to support more phones, but Fring definately wins with the support for Windows Mobile phones and more from the Nokia range. VOIP- the future of mobile phones?
Fring website: click here.
Truphone website: click here.
*Edit* Truphone voice quality after having re-tried it was I have to say much more impressive, and I am told by a commenter on this post that this is thanks to Truphones use of the AMR-NB codec.
*Edit* After having many problems with Truphone installation, the help desk contacted me and I have to say, they have to be one of the most resourceful and helpful helpdesks I have ever come across. I believe the problems I was having were due to problems on my own handset and with the WiFi infrastructure in my house, and so therefore these problems should not affect other people. As a few commenters have pointed out, and I have to agree, Truphone integrates perfectly with the OS, rather than being a standalone program like Fring, which tends to be more of an AIM kind of program rather than a VOIP client. Truphone calls are free to landlines (I am not commenting on tariffs or offers that may be available in the States, or anywhere else, as I live in the UK) and some mobile phones (some? I have not found any specification of what this some might be) untill December and if you sign up now you are given £2 credit. Voice quality is excellent although I have found once or twice that the voice has become choppy for about 30 seconds, then sorts itself out.
Taking all these points into account, I have to name Truphone the outright winner of this review, what with complete integration with the handset’s OS, great call quality pretty much all the time and cheap/free calls.
Hi Seb,
First of all, sorry to hear that you had trouble installing Truphone. May I suggest that you drop a line to support@truphone.com to get their help? It would be well worth the effort: Truphone has just released version 3 of its software and, while it’s still a beta service, it now shows presence and sends SMS over IP. Visit http://www.truphone.com for more info.
What you got when you upgraded to N80IE ’status’ was a SIP stack as part of the phone’s firmware, which wasn’t there on the vanilla N80. Truphone is designed to integrate as deeply as possible with handsets as this provides certain benefits – voice quality, no separate user interface and better battery life among them – and this means using this inbuilt SIP stack.
On voice quality, Truphone should work very well even with low bandwidths, thanks to its use of the AMR codec – this is about data compression. You can see more discussion on this at this url: http://www.henshall.com/blog/archives/001190.html
I hope that’s useful and that you get Truphone up and running.
Cheers,
Tim.
I have used Truphone for a week now, and I love it!!! To me: Fring is more like an IM client, and Truphone is truly integrated in the phone, I use it on N95, but I don’t think it makes any difference. With Truphone, all you have to do, just dial the number, and press the green button. It is simple and powerful. I can’t use 3G on N95 in States, but I think Edge could handle the bandwidth…….. or maybe not….
Bottom line:
Truphone is best for (real) VoIP, as it was intended on your phone.
Fring great for messaging and VoIP with IM interface.
Been using truphone for some time now.
voice quality is superb. a few disconnections on initiation of calls, but far better than fring.
the cool thing about truphone is seemless integration with phone- ie, when browsing your contacts, you can click the middle button and choose between regular call, video call, internet call. amazing.
Users give comments that TRUPHONE is better than FRING for voice quality. I’d like to know if compare to integrated SIP client of Nokia E71, which one is better ?
Seb, I am new to Truephone.I am currently using Voip, my friend told me about this site http://www.voipreview.org, it help me a ton when choosing which service to pick. . What is the difference between Voip and Truphone??? Do you suggest Truphone??
Jen