Using an ipod as a phone?

[MotionMan]

Some mentioned Google Voice for texting. I was under the impression the "new" iMessage or whatever it's called does texts fro free. What is the difference in iMessage and GV?

iMessage only works between iDevices.

GV texting works with all mobile devices like regular texting.

MotionMan

 

[Pretty Cool]

I am actually in the process of trying this as well for a preteen. So far I have found the following apps that allows free calling to regular phones. Skype does not seem to do this. Not sure about Skype specifically, but it seems to me like a headset should not be required because the Touch has a mic and speaker built-in. Anyway, my guess is that none of these will be a perfect replacement for a phone. Instead, it is whether one can live with the limitations and/or glitches.

Talkatone (uses Google Voice and Gtalk)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/talkatone-free-calls-sms-texting/id397648381?mt=8

Whistle Phone (has ads & 20 min limit per call)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whistle-phone/id322326573?mt=8

netTALK (Change that. Cannot receive calls & limited to 30 min per call.)
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/nettalk/id397090127?mt=8

FREE Calls with magicJack (hard to receive calls)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-calls-with-magicjack/id463926997?mt=8

 

[ew915]

I am actually in the process of trying this as well for a preteen. So far I have found the following apps that allows free calling to regular phones. Skype does not seem to do this. Not sure about Skype specifically, but it seems to me like a headset should not be required because the Touch has a mic and speaker built-in. Anyway, my guess is that none of these will be a perfect replacement for a phone. Instead, it is whether one can live with the limitations and/or glitches.

Talkatone (uses Google Voice and Gtalk)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/talkatone-free-calls-sms-texting/id397648381?mt=8

Whistle Phone (has ads & 20 min limit per call)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whistle-phone/id322326573?mt=8

netTALK (hard to receive calls)
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/nettalk/id397090127?mt=8

FREE Calls with magicJack (hard to receive calls)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-calls-with-magicjack/id463926997?mt=8

Talkatone is nice but the only problem i see is that it requires a subscription if you want to get rid of the banner.

 

[sygyzy]

There will come a day when you have been a member here for more than 5 months and have made more than 1,358 posts when you will realize how foolish you just made yourself look.

Then again, you may never realize it.

MotionMan

His trolling comment was uncalled for, but to be fair, you were wrong. Everyone mentioned Skype. That's not cool for you to attack him.

 

[mammador]

You guys are really no help. I ended up googling and found a program called "Skype". Thanks for nothing.

:biggrin:


OK, seriously. Couple followup questions. Some mentioned Google Voice for texting. I was under the impression the "new" iMessage or whatever it's called does texts fro free. What is the difference in iMessage and GV?

So, to use skype does the receiver of the phone call also have to have skype? I've googled a bit and see mention that to use skype you have to either have a headset or always talk on speakerphone. So, I guess the ipod touch doesn't have a built in speaker similar to the iphone?

Thanks for the help.

Skype is a properitary Voice over IP software and can also call numbers on the public telephone network. But to call a normal landline/cell, you have to buy credits. Skype/VoIP calls are free though.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

His trolling comment was uncalled for, but to be fair, you were wrong. Everyone mentioned Skype. That's not cool for you to attack him.

:whiste:

 

[MotionMan]

His trolling comment was uncalled for, but to be fair, you were wrong. Everyone mentioned Skype. That's not cool for you to attack him.

I was not wrong and it was cool for me to attack him (again 😉).

MotionMan