Viber - Free Mobile Phone Call App

[nikster]

This is potentially a disruptive technology: Viber, a new iPhone app which is a bit like Skype, except:

- You can make free calls over any 3G network, which means it actually works anywhere your phone works

- It integrates with your address book and works based on phone numbers, which means there is no sign up, no adding "buddies", none of that stuff.

I've tried this a bit, and I have to say it's amazing - this is the first step of turning mobile operators into dumb pipes.

The app looks like the phone app on the iPhone, but when you select "contacts" it highlights those contacts that have Viber installed. Those you can then call via Viber. Others you can call via a normal phone call.

Even when Viber is not running on the recipient's phone, it's started automatically via a network notification.

The app is exceptionally well done - hard to describe but it instantly feels natural and doesn't have weird hiccups like the skype app.

All in all - it just works, just like a normal phone call. Except it's free. The app is free too. Now I have to get my European relatives to get iPhones so we can make free mobile to mobile calls - this is pretty amazing because as it is, calling into mobile networks in Europe is ridiculously expensive still, even using SkypeOut, I pay close to 15 baht / minute (50 US cents)...

Honestly, this is a major shift in how cell phones work. It's conceivable that mobile operators would seek to block this, but unlikely at this point - the cat's out of the bag, 3G cannot be rolled back (except in Thailand of course, but it does work on True 3G for what it's worth)... years ago, this would simply not have been possible but with new unlimited data plans there's now no way to stop it.

Edit: Viber is definitely coming to Android and others too.

Edited January 6, 2011 by nikster

[Digitalbanana]

I've been using it on Android and find it a far easier alternative to Skype when video not required. It also saves costs on international sms. One thing on the SMS I find rather annoying is the overly subtle location switch for the SMS messages right next to the send button! You have to be very careful with that! Not that I have been caught out yet but must be a lot of stories out there?

[lomatopo]

Viber's been on Android for ages, Line and Tango are similar. Obviously you need a data connection, 3G if mobility is a requirement. In the case of 3G then the user is obviously paying for typically capped data, so not free per se. And interoperability is an issue, i.e. Viber to Viber only so everyone has to use the same app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.viber.voip&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.naver.line.android&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sgiggle.production&hl=en

For text replacement I still find WhatsApp! to be the best offer, but again, everyone has to be using it. This used to be the paid, default messaging app. on iPhones but Apple stole it and then introduced their own proprietary app. iMessage. Brilliant product naming, who comes up with these great names.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.whatsapp

While not the same application, I have been using GrooVeIP with my Google Voice number for free calling to/from the U.S./Canada. I got the paid version which allows for use on 3G. This is a brilliant application, IME/O.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gvoip&hl=en

Edited June 15, 2012 by lomatopo

[Sam Drucker]

Yes, I recently read an article where an AT&T executive was predicting data-only plans in the next few years. AS it already says, they see the writing on the wall.

http://www.androidau...ly-plans-92242/

The problem with these various competitors such as ooVoo, Tango, Line, What'sApp, Viber, GrooVeIP, etc. is that none of them has hit a critical mass yet, so you pretty much might need to have most or all installed on your phone to be ready to call or receive a call from anybody.

For everything except voice calls, I like What'sApp. One of the cool features on it is the "send my location" function. Imagine (especially with Thai-English language barriers) trying to figure out where somebody is to meet them. Sometimes they might use Thai names for places and streets you're not familiar with, etc. So using the "send my location" function ties into the smart phone's built-in GPS and Google Maps, and sends a Google Map message with the location on it. Or, any other location you desire.

What'sApp also has functions for sending photos, video clips, songs, and voice messages.

My problem is that I want to try out these various apps, and explore their functions so I can understand their strengths and weaknesses better. But it's early in the game and I don't have anybody else with a smart phone and the patience to play around with these features a bit with me.

[lomatopo]

The problem with these various competitors such as ooVoo, Tango, Line, What'sApp, Viber, GrooVeIP, etc. is that none of them has hit a critical mass yet, so you pretty much might need to have most or all installed on your phone to be ready to call or receive a call from anybody.

Agreed, but GrooVeIP is a completely different solution - it is a front-end for your Google Voice telephone number, which is a real, free ten digit telephone number. So it inter-works with the traditional telephone network, and there is no requirement for called/calling parties to have this app. I got my Google Voice telephone number a few years ago, in my old area code and local exchange. So when people call that telephone number it connects via GrooVeIP, in this case my SGS2 on WiFi or 3G, wherever I might be. And I can call any ten digit number, fixed/mobile, for free, It really is brilliant.

Google Voice offers a whole host of features and functionality - including true SMS which means that someone, or let's say a Bank sending a OTP, can originate a true SMS to your 10 digit telephone number, and it gets relayed via Google Voice, GMail, and even sent to my SMS in-box on my phone. They also offer speech to text, so if someone leaves you a voicemail you get an email with the speech to text. Absolutely brilliant.

The other apps listed do offer some integrated directory services which make it easy/ier to identify those in your contact list who are using a particular service.

[Sam Drucker]

THanks for the further details. I was not aware of GrooVeIP until the earlier post in the thread today.

[lennois]

I feel like whatsapp has hit critical mass. Almost everyone I know uses it. Hopefully they will incorporate calling functionality going forward.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect App

[lomatopo]

I feel like whatsapp has hit critical mass. Almost everyone I know uses it.

As if RIM needed another nail on their coffin.

It's the top paid app. on iStore (non-game). http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/the-top-iphone-and-ipad-apps-on-app-store-1.3777480

An older article but gives you feel for the message load: http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2012/04/04/whatsapp-founder-to-operators-were-no-sms-killer-we-get-people-hooked-on-data/

The Korean messaging service is doing ~ 1 billion messages per day! http://www.kakao.com/en

And people are building apps. on top of these messaging services.