Just Duke - Mostly Tech Ponderings

When I posted last week about using Talkatone to make and receive phone calls on my iPad, I also  received some reactions from persons who basically said, "I didn't think that was possible." Not only is it possible but it's just a little more complicated than going to the iTunes App store and installing the appropriate app.  Of all the apps listed here only Skype utilizes both the WiFi and Data Connections. All other apps use VoIP technology,  which means that this only works over a WiFi connection. and not the 3G/4G data streams widely available. I wouldn't recommend that you hold your iPad up to your ear either. If you are hard of hearing, and need to invest in a BlueTooth headset, by all means, do. Personally, I have found the iPad's built in speaker and mic to be more than enough for communicating here at the house. If you are needing an ability to use your iPad as a device to make and recieve phone calls, then there are more than a few options out there. Let's start with some of those:

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• Skype - Good and reliable Technology for PC's and Macs. To use it as a phone to call and recieve calls from other phones requires a subscription however. Still, as I have documented in the past, this is reliable, and somewhat dependable to use a phone. Skype doesn't currently offer an App to utilize the display of the iPad, but sets itself apart from the pack by offering the ability to utilize an iPad's data connection. Link
• Fring - Another app that works across several platforms! Like Skype, you can dial out or receive calls, and this too will require a subscription. You can basically call any phone anywhere in the world for 1 cent per minute. And you can pay for those minutes in the iTunes App Store.  Unlike Skype, Fring also supports popular IM clients such as AIM, MSN, ICQ, Skype and more. Link
• Tru - A very attractive looking app but also requires a subscription. $50 gives you a number and 12 months worth of service. Link
• Whistle - Download the app, and activate the service. You get a free number based upon your local area code upon signing up! The service is free for US calling, however calls are limited to 20 minutes per call. Still, this is a very well put together app and my personal experience with it has been very positive. Link
• Talkatone - This one is my choice! Not because it's attractive as an iPad app, but because it's designed to use your Google Voice Number over WiFi. Something that Google itself doesn't offer in a mobile platform. If you have an iPad, and a Google Voice number, your choice is a no-brainer.  The ability to take Google Voice and use it over WiFi, is a different approach than all the apps mentioned above. Since I use Google Voice across several devices already (Phones, PC, iPod) the ability to integrate this functionality in my iPad was a huge plus for me. If you don't know what Google Voice is, then check out their web site. The service is currently free, and allows you to send and recieve calls anywhere in the USA and Canada. The Voicemail feature is unique in the fact, that Google Transcribes the message into Text. The service also allows you to send and receive SMS messages through the number. Talkatone doesn't offer an iPad specific App, so it's not necessarily as pretty to look at like Whistle or Tru, but I can overlook that because the bottom line: It works awesome using Google Voice. Link

So to do it, simply pick your poison. Or look around a little harder, as the list above is not necessarily an exclusive list. There's probably other options available that I haven't explored. To be able to call from your iPad to an actual phone will require a service that offers you a phone number and in most cases, a subscription. If you just want to try it out, then I would recommend that you start with Whistle. If you are looking for one number to use across multiple devices, then start on Google's Voice web site, and spend some time configuring it. Once you have everything in place, then grab Talkatone (free) in the iTunes App Store and enjoy! If you are interested in more of my thoughts on Google Voice, head here.

NOTE: I have only used Whistle and Talkatone on the iPad and have found both services to work really well across my WiFi connection. I've used Skype and Fring on other platforms.