VoIP

AT&T announced recently that they will be allowing VoIP applications to run over their 3G data network, but Skype says they will wait until they can offer high-quality audio over the data network. They are, however, planning to offer an iPad app in the very near future, which would make calling over 3G on the iPad a likely possibility.

With Apple's pockets bulging with cash and rumblings of an impending end to the recession, 'tis the season for companies like Apple to do their holiday shopping for smaller companies to gobble up. One unnamed source says the next one on Apples list is VoIP company iCall in a deal valuing between $50-60 million.

Fringland yesterday released an updated version of their VoIP application, Fring [App Store, Free], which now includes support for video calls. The new addition requires you to be connected via WiFi and only works one-way, due to the iPhone's back-facing camera. The company will supposedly support two-way video calls once the iPhone supports a front-facing camera, as they do on several Nokia phones. Oddly enough, the update does not show that audio calls can be made over 3G, in spite of the fact that Apple and AT&T have lifted the limitation of WiFi only for VoIP calls.

Fringland has also released a video to promote the new feature:

Following AT&T's recent announcement that the carrier will now allow iPhone Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services over its mobile network, Apple and VoIP provider Skype have issued public statements reacting to today's announcement. Per the Associated Press, Apple announced that "We are very happy that AT&T is now supporting VOIP applications," said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris. "We will be amending our developer agreements to get VOIP apps on the App Store and in customers' hands as soon as possible."

AT&T has announced that they will now be allowing apps like Google Voice and Skype to run over their 3G cellular data network on the iPhone 3G and 3GS. The company recently informed Apple and AT&T that the network is now "ready," meaning all that's left is to put the capability into some iPhone apps. AT&T had previously not allowed applications to use the 3G data network for VoIP phone calls, presumably to keep users from using VoIP instead of their voice network.

Apple has approved an official Vonage VoIP application to give users the ability to make voice calls over WiFi, as does the Skype app for iPhone. The restriciton to WiFi only is part of an agreement with AT&T to not allow customers to use their network to initiate VoIP sessions.

In an unexpected twist, Apple has published their statement to the FCC regarding the alleged "banning" of Google Voice from the App Store. As it turns out, they say they haven't denied the official Google Voice app submitted by Google yet, and that it hasn't been approved because it is still being reviewed.

Apple says that the app hasn't been approved because:

Truphone has launched the next version of their VoIP app Truphone 3.0 for iPod touch. The new version, which they describe as a major update, adds things like better ease of use, responsiveness, and simplicity. Sound quality has also been improved, and they have added instant messaging within the app. You can get it in the App Store as a free download.
[via Macworld]

When Skype for iPhone was announced back in January, we knew it would be one of the most highly anticipated apps in the App Store. We were right, with the app reaching over one million downloads just two days after it was released earlier this week. Now, however, the app has sparked a great deal of controversy, resulting in a war between carriers and consumers.

GigaOM claims to have word from a "very reliable" tipster that Skype for iPhone is nearly ready for launch, and may even be released as soon as next week's CTIA Wireless show. Skype COO Scott Curschlang revealed that Skype for iPhone was in development back in January. There's still no word about Skype for the iPod touch, or how AT&T and other iPhone carriers feel about the app.