VoIP for iPhone through new Java app?

Stan Beer
Thursday, 19 March 2009 04:47

Opinion and Analysis

A new web-based telephony application is being touted by its developer as a soon to be released VoIP application on the iPhone App Store. The application has already been submitted and is awaiting approval according to the developer.

The Java built application, called FriendCaller, from German company C2Call, appears to be similar to Skype except that it is not peer-to-peer but entirely web-based and based on social networking principles.

The FriendCaller prices don't appear to stack up well against Skype.

It enables registered users to place calls from the website www.friendcaller.com to other registered users for free or to landlines and mobiles from 2 Euro cents a minute but often significantly more expensive, depending on the location.

SkypeOut charges for a large number of countries start at about 1.5 Euro cents a minute.

According to C2Call, it is currently trialing a a beta version of the system developed specifically for the iPhone and iPod.

"The iPhone app has been submitted for Apple’s approval," C2Call wrote to iTWire in an email.

"Website and app work seamless (sic) together, you can use your FriendCaller account on iPhone/iPod, you can import contacts from your webmail or from iPhone contacts."

The issue with web-based voice calling applications like FriendCaller as opposed to peer-to-peer web applications like Skype is scalability.

Unlike Skype, web-based voice applications require massive amounts of server power at the back-end if they are to support large numbers of users.

Skype in comparison, which requires a software download, is able to support hundreds of millions of users by co-opting the power of the personal computers in its network.

C2Call is currently conducting limited beta trials of its iPhone app and is inviting applicants to apply online through its website at www.friendcaller.com.