Truphone, which I recently awarded a TMC Labs Innovation Award, has just released Truphone 3.0. The latest release adds a suite of advanced features to its beta VoIP service for mobile phones, and simultaneously extended until the end of 2007 its offer of free calls to 40 countries. The new SMS over IP capability brings unlimited free SMS messages between on-net Truphone users and a flat-rate tariff of GBP0.07/USD0.15 to all other regular mobile numbers worldwide.
James Tagg, Truphone's CEO, said:We were the first company to demonstrate SMS-over-IP in our preview version at the beginning of June and we've been delighted at the feedback we've received. People love free and low-cost text messages. Today, the new Truphone service is ready to download for everyone.
The ability to see presence - to know a contact is online and callable for free - has particular significance for mobile users, because there are far greater savings to be had. Now you know for sure when that mobile call to your uncle in Australia is free.
The introduction of these new IP-enabled services gives a glimpse of the potential for pure IP mobile telephony and demonstrates the clear benefits of true IP telephony over bridging solutions. We envisage a world where content-rich, location-based services and much more will be possible via Truphone.
Here's a summary of the features:
- Presence functionality enables users to know exactly when they can make a free call or send a free text message to another Truphone user.
- Smart log-on means a Truphone-enabled handset now 'takes care of its owner' by automatically connecting to previously used Wi-Fi access points.
- Truphone over 3G is made available at the request of customers with suitable 3G tariffs. While this allows low cost VoIP calls from many more locations, Truphone still recommends VoIP over Wi-Fi as being of higher call quality and less susceptible to high charges data charges.
- Multi-SIM capability means Truphone supports travelers who take international SIM cards with them abroad. Calls to their Truphone number will reach them whichever SIM they're using at the time.
- Truphone 3.0 also brings compatibility with a greater number of routers, reducing the likelihood of port-blocking; a simplified, more intuitive installation process; and a significant number of bug-fixes. I wonder if "reducing likelihood of port blocking" helps solve the issue where T-Mobile UK is blocking Truphone? I doubt it since I believe T-Mobile is doing much more than simple port blocking.
Existing Truphone customers and anyone signing up for Truphone before September 30th can make free Truphone calls to 40 countries until the end of 2007.
Finally, anyone can get Truphone by sending a text message with the word 'Tru' to +44 7624 000000. Do it now and Truphone will credit your account with £2 or US $2. Hey, free money, sounds like a sweet deal to me!
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Not so sweet, Truphone is well known for causing problems. for instance it's a real hassle for me to connect to use my browser now, because it says my phone is already connected, damn truphone... And that's not the half of it.
I have uninstalled truphone and tried some of the others, onefone and fring are pretty good, I'd say onefone just pips it to my pick. If you want hassle free mobile voip calls go to wifimobile.com
Amit
Amit, I tend to agree with you.
When I first starting using Truphone, I was in my glory! But as time went on, I had nothing but problems. Nothing was wrong with Truphone itself... is was the negative impact it had on other features of my phone.
I now use wifimobile (onefone) and it works flawlessly. I've never tried Fring, but as a Skype user I'll give it a shot.