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In this posting, I would like to discuss Gizmo and iSkoot. If you miss my previous posting, here is the link to the first posting and second posting.

Gizmo

Web site: http://www.gizmoproject.com/

Technology: SIP, Jabber (for IM)

IM support: Skype, MSN, Yahoo! Messenger

What I like:

• It is integrated nicely into the built-in S60 Contacts application. No need separate application. Since it is integrated into S60 Contacts application, synchronization is not needed.

What I don?t like:

• It takes too long initiate a voice call. Sometimes, the call cannot be even initiated.
• Setting up the IM services is very complicated. It uses text console. Some end users may find it very difficult to use.

Update (07-Sep-2007): The latest version of Gizmo has shown improvements. I don’t see the problem with “initiating a voice call takes too long”.

iSkoot

Web site: http://www.iskoot.com/

Technology: VoIP over cellular

IM support: Skype

What I like:

• Since it uses VoIP over cellular technology, we do not need WiFi connection to make a phone call. Again, this solution is not suitable for us who are in a roaming area.
• The user interface is pretty simple. This has drawback too because it does not support many features, such as call log.
• Suitable for a Skype user. You don?t need to setup another ?call-out? account. Simply use your SkypeOut.

What I don’t like:

• No support of popular IM services, such as Yahoo! Messenger, MSN, Google Talk or Jabber.
• Cannot import contacts from the phone book.
• No caller ID support. Although it uses cellular to make a phone call; the caller’s number does not show up on the callee’s phone.

Bonus Link

• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part I
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part II
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part IV
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part V

This is the fourth part of my posting about VoIP applications. You can see the first part here, the second part here and the third part here.

Now, I would like to discuss Truphone only. I was planning to discuss barablu; unfortunately I couldn?t make a single call using barablu. The application crashes very often on my phone.

Truphone

Web site: http://www.truphone.com/

Technology: SIP

IM support: Google Talk (limited)

What I like:

• The application is integrated into S60 Contacts application. No need separate application. It also means contacts synchronization is not needed.
• Initiating a call is very fast, compared to other VoIP applications.
• The call is free to many countries, including US, UK and Singapore. I am no sure until when they will offer the service for free.

What I don’t like:

• No support to IM services.

Update (29-Jun-2007): One of barablu representatives just contacted me. They said that they are going to release a new version of their application, which supposed to be more stable, some time next week. Besides that, they said that they are experiencing technical problem last Tuesday.

Bonus Links

• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part I
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part II
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part III
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part V

VoIP on mobile phone is booming right now. There are so many applications that enable VoIP on our S60 phones. There are so many companies jumping into this business.

As an S60 user, we may ask, which VoIP application to use. I have tried several VoIP applications for S60. Unfortunately none of the really satisfy me. The problems are mostly usability or quality. Hope that this situation is getting better in the near future.

In the next two postings, I would like to share my opinion about several VoIP applications for S60, i.e.:

• barablu
• EQO
• fring
• Gizmo
• iSkoot
• Truphone

There are some more VoIP applications for S60, SoonR; but I won?t cover them.

There are basically several technologies for mobile VoIP, i.e.:

• VoIP over cellular. This technology utilizes standard cellular network, such as GSM or CDMA, to make VoIP call. The idea comes from the fact that many mobile phones do not have enough processing power. Besides that, not so many phones have WiFi yet. EQO, iSkoot and SoonR are examples of application that use VoIP over cellular.
• SIP. SIP is the most popular standard for VoIP. There are a couple of S60 devices that support SIP, for example Nokia E61 and Nokia N80. We can expect more and more S60 phones will come with SIP support. Gizmo, fring and Truphone are examples of client applications that use SIP.
• Proprietary protocol. Skype is probably the most popular technology in this area. Although there have been rumors saying that Skype is coming to S60, it is still not available yet. However, there are already some applications that support Skype-like technology, for example barablu. fring can even make a call using Skype network.

Bonus Links

• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part II
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part III
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part IV
• Which VoIP Applications To Use - Part V