iPad with the back removed... Ah ha!

Line2 has the most professional options. (My Review of Line2) I like that you have a dedicated number with mailbox, redirect, quite times, and can support calling in as well.  HOWEVER, the app has to be running for you to get an incoming call. I think that will be sorted once jailbreak is in place and we can run that app in the background.

There are plenty of other options; Skype, TruPhone; Fring, Google Voice (requires jailbreak)  I have a list posts on VoIP here, so you can read and choose the best app for you.

You may also want to invest in a good wire or bluetooth headset. Holding that big iPad to your head is optimal and it makes you look plain silly.

Lets the VoIP wars begin!

Get even more value from Truphone with an Unlimited calling plan (find out more)To help your money go even further, we have just introduced two unlimited calling plans:

• TruUnlimited Landlines and Mobiles: Unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles in 69 countries for just $40 a month
• TruUnlimited Landlines: Unlimited calls to landlines* in 38 countries for just $17 a month

With Truphone you are always in control; there are no long-term contracts and you can cancel your monthly charge at any time.

In fact, all you need to do is decide which plan is right for you!

*As a bonus we’ve included top mobile destinations in our Landlines plan, such as the USA, Canada, China and Hong Kong, at no extra charge!

When you read at the end of the email, they caution that although its free now, they may charge in the future.  Fair enough.  Just keep your eyes open as you use it.

Set up was pretty easy, but make sure you are on wifi when you do it, it does take a bit for some reason.

Here is what I got from truphone today..

We are excited to announce that from today, Truphone for the iPhone and the iPod touch can now let you stay in touch with all your Skype friends.

You can now:

1. Instant Message (IM) your Skype contacts

1. Make calls to Skype users on your contact list*

1. Receive calls from other Skype users

It’s easy. You don’t need to update or download anything.

1. Go to the IM screen in the iPhone application (the IM/More screen in the iPod touch application). If you cannot see this screen, select it from within the More screen.
2. Select Skype (from the Setup screen)
3. Sign in using your Skype account details

When you visit your ‘Friends List’ you will now see all of your Skype contacts and you will be ready to start.

If you are in Wi-Fi then all calls and instant messages will be completely FREE.

And for the iPhone application, even if you are not in Wi-Fi you can still make Skype calls and send Skype instant messages using Truphone Anywhere. We don’t charge anything for you to do this, but it will use your data package to connect the call or send the instant message.

We offer Skype on Truphone as a free service, and should this change in the future, we will let you know straight away.

Step1
Turn on your iPhone and make the first call.

Step2
Hit the “Add Call” button on your phone’s screen. The first call is put on hold temporarily. This allows you to speak with the second line privately before the calls are merged into a conference call.

Step3
Call the other conference call participants using the same process. If other participants are calling you, put the other calls on hold. Choose “Answer” and then select the “Merge” option.

Step4
Merge all of the calls into one conference call. To do this, select “Merge Calls.” At this point, you may start the conference call.

Step5
Drop a call from the conference. Tap the “Conference” button and then select the red phone symbol next to the person you want to drop from the call. Choose “End Call” to drop them from the conference.

Step6
Talk one-on-one with someone in the conference. Select the “Conference” button and hit “Private” next to the person you want to talk with. Press the “Merge Call” button to return to the conference.

(note: only the person who placed the original call can manage the conference)

The reason for VoIP is clear enough, cheaper international calls (or local calls if you use too many minutes.  BTW, check this app out for tracking minutes!   The app I came across iconference on Cydia, offers VoIP w/ conferencing, but this will only work if everyone is on the jailbroken iphone, so this is out. There are a number of apps and web services out there for VoIP on the iphone.  I have truphone and Fring myself, however neither offer conference calls (that I know of.. correct me if I’m wrong)  However, Talkety does!  But, you have to have the pro account.  The site is down right now so I can not get the price, but I have a feeling that unless you do a lot of international calling, you may be better off just sticking to the iphone.

We are writing to you to let you know that in the next 24 hours, your Truphone for the iPhone application will be automatically upgraded with some exciting new features*!

These new features are:

1. Instant Messaging (IM)
IM will be added, meaning that you can have two-way IM conversations with MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk users.

2. Google Talk Calls
You can now make and receive calls using Google Talk.

3. Twitter Integration
Recently launched, if you have a Twitter account you can tweet to your heart’s content, and see your friend’s latest tweets.

Interesting. With Gtalk and skype, I think this will push Truphone and ‘THE’ VoIP app for the iphone.  Here is the rest of the email.

And that’s not all. We also plan to introduce Skype calling and IM on the Truphone for the iPhone soon.

You can start using IM by following these simple steps:

a) Tap the ‘IM’ or ‘IM/More’ screen in the Truphone menu bar

b) Select ‘Setup’

c) Select the type of IM account you want to setup (GTalk, MSN and Yahoo!)

d) Enter your account details and sign in

e) Press the ‘Back’ button on the top left of the screen

f) Select ‘Friends List’ and then tap the required IM tab

g) Check that the friend you wish to chat to is online (their icon will show as green in the display), and start chatting away

You only have to do steps A to E once for each type of IM account. Entering the ‘IM’ or ‘IM/More’ screen after this will sign you in automatically.

To make Google Talk calls, select Google Talk, select your Friend from the Friend List, and then select the call icon.

Instructions on using Twitter can be found by selecting the Twitter ‘t’ icon in the ‘Tru Friends’ screen.

Just read in TechCrunch about a new itouch app by UK-based Truphone that allows you to make phone calls on your itouch if you have WIFI access. Sounds pretty good. Calls are free to other itouch users as well as other supported mobile devices and low rates to those outside the system, much like Skype. What is interesting to me here is idea of taking an itouch and getting near iphone capabilities.

Still missing is GPS, but check out this project adding GPS to the itouch and the first iPhone…

Past write up on iGPS and xGPS.

Now Truphone is not your only option.  There is Jajah and my favorite, Fring.

Past write up on Fring and saving money calling overseas.

So, between being able to make call, plugin GPS, all we need now is a way to connect a 3G card and we have all but incoming call iphone!