Whats the best internet caller? - Off-topic

Hello,
I have so many relatives in out of countries. I have to call my relatives in every week. so I want to ask that What is the best Internet caller? I am using Skype for the international call.
Is skype the best for making calls over internet? Also is there anything device for free land-line calls?

umm i'm not much of a internet call user but sometimes i do though to prank on my frens! I use 'Gizmo (Project)' on Ubuntu and 'MediaRing Talk' on Windows, both give free-call services to a few countries..
u can do a search on them, their sites should pop right up (lazy me )

Related

Cell phone call over internet.

Yeah, I've searched. I've used Google to search the site, and the site's native search.
Still can't find it.
I'm looking at leasing a place for at least a year that has land-line access, and cable high speed internet, but no cell service whatsoever. Not even with a Wilson Cell phone range extender.
I've been using my cell for 4 years now, and I want to be able to make and receive calls from my cell, on my cell phone number over the cable high speed internet. Is this possible?
I'd rather free... but a small fee might be acceptable. For work, and personal , in SoCal, most of the calls I make are out of area code. I'm worried about cost/minute if I can't get my cell with its free long distance to work at <potential> home.
Links, thoughts, etc?
Thanks.
Skype perhaps?
Anyway if you're looking at making calls from home just use your pc and voipdiscount - it's free for making calls to US landlines and mobile phones.
cell phone over internet
from what I know,
you could try the german betamax services. They have lots of services under other names : like nonoh.net, voipdiscount.com. THey usually offer great prices, much less than skype, the quality is ranging from good enough to (mostly) very good.
As to using it from your cellphone directly, can be done.
Usually you set a connection between 2 cellphones from the web page, easily done. you can alwasy connect to this page from your cellp. and establish the connection.
there is also some new thing - you call a normal tel. number and then you give the other numeber you wanted to call. Look it up -
nonoh.net
voipdiscount.com
I need to be able to receive calls on my cell phone, at my cell phone number, and need to be able to send calls and have them show up with my number on caller ID at the other end.
It doesn't look like either of those services provide that.
something like this?
http://www.t-mobile.com/promotions/hotspotathomelearnmore.aspx
over2land said:
I need to be able to receive calls on my cell phone, at my cell phone number, and need to be able to send calls and have them show up with my number on caller ID at the other end.
It doesn't look like either of those services provide that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, the Betamax VOIP services (like VOIPStunt.com) DO at least some of those things. If you use the phone-to-phone method, you can make a call to someone and it will show your phone number as the caller ID.
I use lowratevoip, havent used it for about 3 weeks, but they are pretty cheap and good when it comes to calling countries in Asia.
I use the [email protected] from Tmobile and its a lifesaver for me.
My gf is a stay at home mom and was able to rack up decent bills/minute usage in the past, all gone since I have hotspot @home
too bad you need a specific phone for it, would be great if they started to support windows mobile.
XtreMe_G said:
something like this?
http://www.t-mobile.com/promotions/hotspotathomelearnmore.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

What do I need to receive calls to tilt via voip?

I've seen discussions here about running a voip client on the tilt, but I've not yet found exactly what kind of service provider is needed for this.
I have packet8 voip service at home. Can I configure a tilt client to make/receive calls over that service? If so, what info do I need from packet 8 to do so?
Or, I have a gizmo account that my grandcentral forwards to. Gizmo only seems to have a java based client for the phone, which isn't working very well for me.
Basically what I'm wanting is calls from my grand central number to get to my tilt via wifi, since I work underground where cell signal isn't available, but we have solid wifi coverage. I'm not worried about being able to make calls.
What's the best way to accomplish this, and can I do it without having to pay for another provider?
VOIP, Voice Over I P, requires an internet connection. As far as I know you don't need a provider. You need an internet connection and a client. Skype is pretty popular but there are others. Check out the SEARCH link in my signature, below. Search for Skype, VOIP, and similar terms and you will get the answer to your question.
kimtyson said:
VOIP, Voice Over I P, requires an internet connection. As far as I know you don't need a provider. You need an internet connection and a client. Skype is pretty popular but there are others. Check out the SEARCH link in my signature, below. Search for Skype, VOIP, and similar terms and you will get the answer to your question.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How could you not have a provider? Something has to transfer calls from the POTS network where the call originates to VOIP. Last I knew, skype charged for 'skype-in' to have a phone number associated with your skype account for calls to come in to.
I have already searched for and read VOIP related posts, as I indicated in the OP. None that I found addressed configuration of packet8 service, which is what I'm ideally looking for. Hopefully someone else will be able to help answer the question, rather than suggesting something I've already tried without success already.
it bugz me nuts when someone who doesnt know what theyre talkin about replies w/nonsense assuming that youre just a little dumber than them..
obviously, these ppl just dont understand what the need is And that they arent qualified to reply...
many times this makes a thread grow beyond the point of management. the mods are hard pressed to clean up irrelevant posts--- such as this..
thankfully, this thread wont reach those numbers..
i aint hating, im just saying :: you all just spit out the words "search" and often a thread you spout off is hundreds of posts long and most are irrelevant--
impossible for someone who has a life to wade all the way thru..
thanx for the space-- feel freee to delete this post.
BTW, i would like to know how you solve it.. please post when you find it
amkaos said:
BTW, i would like to know how you solve it.. please post when you find it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That I will!
gai-jin said:
I've seen discussions here about running a voip client on the tilt, but I've not yet found exactly what kind of service provider is needed for this.
I have packet8 voip service at home. Can I configure a tilt client to make/receive calls over that service? If so, what info do I need from packet 8 to do so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Packet8 is a non-standard VOIP provider. I believe you will need to download, install, and use their client. And that'll cost you over and above your existing service. Worse, I don't think it will get you what you want. Appears that you can make calls, but I'm not sure if you can receive them. I'm not a Packet8 user so I'm not certain of that. But since you are, I'd recommend contacting them to find out what's possible with their service using a mobile device.
gai-jin said:
Or, I have a gizmo account that my grandcentral forwards to. Gizmo only seems to have a java based client for the phone, which isn't working very well for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Gizmo5 mobile client is Java based. It will run like crap if it all on your device. More bad news, it's primarily an IM app and it does not do pure VoIP.
gai-jin said:
Basically what I'm wanting is calls from my grand central number to get to my tilt via wifi, since I work underground where cell signal isn't available, but we have solid wifi coverage. I'm not worried about being able to make calls.
What's the best way to accomplish this, and can I do it without having to pay for another provider?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Voipstunt, and I'm able to make and receive calls on my device. However you do have to pay for the service. And typically it will cost a little more if you want a dedicated number so you can receive POTS calls. In many (most) cases calls between SIP devices / VOIP software are free. Skype is probably the most common example of this.
I'm sure you're busy, as we all are, but as you have time you really should peruse this INCREDIBLY long but educational thread on VOIP. In a nutshell here's what's needed to do get what you're asking about. You will need a VOIP provider (probably NOT Packet8, I'm afraid), a soft phone application for Windows Mobile (I like SJPhone or X-Lite), and if you want to receive from a POTS line you will also need an incoming number from your VOIP provider (usually called a VOIP-In number). Hope this helps you a little. Good luck!
VOIP or not to VOIP
I use FRING http://www.fring.com/ It also handles other thinkgs such as Skype. I had a previous Skype account which is free obviously. Then all you do is load Fring and then you can put in your Skype account and it will upload all your Skype contacts. You can then select one of these and hit call. You are now making a VOIP call over your phones data stream to your friends computer. But if you are wanted to make VOIP calls to landlines actual home telephones or cell phones then that will cost you money and you will have to load skype credits an what not. But if you have an unlimited data plan (which most people do if you have a pocket pc) then you can just call people on your buddy list like if you were talking from your desktop. This way if your friend is online you can talk all you want and not use any of your regular minutes cuz its all working off your data plan. You must have a 3G connection though or it will not be fast enough.
FREE softphone/BYOD
Simply put, http://www.nch.com.au/talk/:)
hotmail said:
The Gizmo5 mobile client is Java based. It will run like crap if it all on your device. More bad news, it's primarily an IM app and it does not do pure VoIP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, THANK YOU for your very detailed post. It is on point, and addresses my questions, and that's very much appreciated.
I did want to elaborate just a bit on the Gizmo option though. The only reason I specifically mention Gizmo is because that's the provider that grandcentral says it works with. Is it possible to use a good windows mobile voip client with gizmo service? If so, that would be ideal, since I could continue to receive calls to grand central, without having to pay for a seperate sip /voip-in service.
http://www.google.com/support/grandcentral/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=79951
I use Voipstunt, and I'm able to make and receive calls on my device. However you do have to pay for the service. And typically it will cost a little more if you want a dedicated number so you can receive POTS calls. In many (most) cases calls between SIP devices / VOIP software are free. Skype is probably the most common example of this.
I'm sure you're busy, as we all are, but as you have time you really should peruse this INCREDIBLY long but educational thread on VOIP. In a nutshell here's what's needed to do get what you're asking about. You will need a VOIP provider (probably NOT Packet8, I'm afraid), a soft phone application for Windows Mobile (I like SJPhone or X-Lite), and if you want to receive from a POTS line you will also need an incoming number from your VOIP provider (usually called a VOIP-In number). Hope this helps you a little. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, thanks for the info. I'll definitely check out that thread. I'm fine with using a different provider if need be, but somewhat hesitant just because calls would be going from pots to grandcentral to pots dialing the voip number, back to voip to get to my phone. (at least, I assume since GC only supports gizmo voip numbers, that they are actually forwarding to pots for any other calls outbound.) That just seems like a lot of transitions, which is why the gizmo would be my first choice if it can work with a better voip client.
Thanks again!
asofiker said:
I use FRING http://www.fring.com/ It also handles other thinkgs such as Skype. I had a previous Skype account which is free obviously. Then all you do is load Fring and then you can put in your Skype account and it will upload all your Skype contacts. You can then select one of these and hit call. You are now making a VOIP call over your phones data stream to your friends computer. But if you are wanted to make VOIP calls to landlines actual home telephones or cell phones then that will cost you money and you will have to load skype credits an what not. But if you have an unlimited data plan (which most people do if you have a pocket pc) then you can just call people on your buddy list like if you were talking from your desktop. This way if your friend is online you can talk all you want and not use any of your regular minutes cuz its all working off your data plan. You must have a 3G connection though or it will not be fast enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, 3G isn't available around here, but as I said, I'm really looking for this to work over a wifi connection anyway, which should definitely be fast enough to handle the calls.
I'll check into fring, hopefully it can support the gizmo service as well!
hotmail said:
Packet8 is a non-standard VOIP provider. I believe you will need to download, install, and use their client. And that'll cost you over and above your existing service. Worse, I don't think it will get you what you want. Appears that you can make calls, but I'm not sure if you can receive them. I'm not a Packet8 user so I'm not certain of that. But since you are, I'd recommend contacting them to find out what's possible with their service using a mobile device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen ads for the Mobiletalk service form packet8 before, but unless I'm mistaken it's intended for getting voip rates on international calls, not for everyday voip use for domestic calls. I'm downloading the app now to see if it can be used in that way, but if it does what I need I'll be surprised.
Whoops, looks like my initial understanding was correct:
Mobiletalk FAQ said:
How does MobileTalk work?
MobileTalk is a small software application that monitors your international calls and redirects it to the Packet8 service. When an international prefix is dialed (starting with 011, + or 1), MobileTalk intelligently redirects the call to an access number in the same area code as your mobile phone number, and connects the call over the Packet8 VoIP phone service network. To sign up click here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously?
Did you not read my post? It is a free pocket pc softphone that you can use with any SIP/VoIp service, as long as you can get their network settings. As with the post earlier in the thread, VoipStunt provides a very reasonable service, and they provide settings for BYOD(bring your own device). You will find it here http://www.voipstunt.com/en/sipp.html But mainly you need a windows mobile softphone, http://www.nch.com.au/talk/index.html From there you have many more options on what service you use. Also try http://www.broadvoice.com/ they have many flavours of service.;-)
I am not sure this will do the job for you but google wengophone. They have a soft phone that will work on your Tilt. I have used it to make outgoing calls and works good. I have not tried it for incoming as I think my ATA would pick the incoming up first. All you need is your login, PW, proxie and domain server name. If you have those for Gizmo it should work.
Let us know if it does.
FWIW, I'm 75 or so pages into the 'log educational thread' mentioned above. Anyone who's starting on that thread, feel free to read from the beginning, but don't start installing stuff or mucking with settings until you've read all the way through. There are multiple revisions of the cabs and files needed, and it seems that the original posts don't get updated with the new info.
So far, my voip is working, using the windows mobile 6 client, with gizmo, so yes, it can be done, but it's only working on speakerphone currently. Still reading for more info.
I've just summarized a bit of what I've gathered so far from that long 'educational' thread pointed out by hotmail, on page 135 of the same thread. Hope that helps others!

Internet Calling

Anyone know of program that can call landline/mobile phones using wifi and is inexpensive/free other than skype?
Google voice...
Google Voice doesn't use the data connection for the call though, it still routes it through the same as a normal voice call. I have heard of using a few separate programs to route everything around to use Google Voice, but I have not tried any of them, nor do I know off hand where to point you other than here, ppcgeeks, or the google voice forums.
You could try Fring, it allows you to use other services such as skype/sms/etc. I haven't used it in a long time, but when I did, you wanted at least half of your full signal strength or the quality of audio would drop along with delays in text. It has been said to have gotten better since, but I haven't tried it. They are the first to have the first mobile video call using it with skype on nokia/iphone and the first free voip call using it with skype on android devices.
Hope some of this help
Just curious why not just use your phone? Not enough minutes? If your carrier allows free favorites, you can make your google voice # one of the favorites and call for free.
Im also interested in this, cuz when im out of the country i wanna route my calls through an IPBX
There is no free ip phone service that I know of. It costs money to run a service like that and I don't see anybody giving it away. Skype is not free when making actual phone calls. It is only free to other skype users. So unless the person has a Skype number it's still costing you.
It is actually possible.
You need a google voice number and a gizmo5 account. You can forward your google voice number to a gizmo5 SIP account - thus you get free incomming calls. You can use the mobile google voice webpage to make outgoing calls - thus you get free outgoing calls too.
As far as I know Google voice from the web site only connects your existing phone number(the one being forward to) and the number your wanting to call. So you are still going to be charged for an incoming call if your service does so. If you get free incoming calls then yes. As for the Gizmo5 option it has been acquired by Google Voice and no longer excepts no members accounts or on-line numbers. I have made a GV account and linked it to a Skype account. It only costs my $3 a month for unlimited calling through them outbound and another $6 a month for an on-line number. So for $9 a month a can make unlimited calls and texts. Pretty close to free or as close as it can get for now. I'm sure in a few months GV will have their own on-line service since purchasing Gizmo5. This will hold me over for now.
Try fring. It is pretty good.
i used fring on my old nokia 5800 it worked great the betas and the early and final versions ofit.
How much did your fring end up costing?
I tried multiple VOIP clients and ended up using SJ Phone (free) with google voice and gizmo5. It sounds really good. Fring and the others all gave me trouble or had poor sound.
surprising why no one has tried SPOKN...

[IDEA] USING VOIP OF NEXUS ONE from OTHER PHONE

Hi guys i got idea here, hope its possible, as android is open source, anything can be routed to anywhere, only if i had that talent to do programming on ANDROID i would have tried it. Look at picture and you would understand
why not just use the access number for your SIP provider? that way you can make a VoIP call for the cost of a normal phone call to the access number.
Callwithus is a good SIP provider for this purpose as it has reliable access numbers to use. I think Callcentric and voip.ms do as well.
what if i dont have local call number for my sip providers? only thing i can hope for best is this. Think of calling to USA while living in INDIA, when u dont have local access numbers nor do have internet.??
bhanvadia said:
Hi guys i got idea here, hope its possible, as android is open source, anything can be routed to anywhere, only if i had that talent to do programming on ANDROID i would have tried it. Look at picture and you would understand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm probably missing something obvious, but why can't you just use the N1 to make the VOIP call directly?
all someone has to do is incorporate sip and stuff into a single program.
well nexus one is my primary phone and its always connected to internet, but my gf dont have nexus, nor do she got smartphone with voip, so if she wants to call there, and i m in office, i wanted something that can make that possible.
Almost free kind of calling, she call my NEXUS, and make my nexus dial her wanted number using SIP over WIFI, so virtually she talking through my NEXUS but speaking in her phone.
bhanvadia said:
what if i dont have local call number for my sip providers? only thing i can hope for best is this. Think of calling to USA while living in INDIA, when u dont have local access numbers nor do have internet.??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case, Callwithus has a feature.. they have a special access number that doesn't actually pick up (so that you will not be charged). the system will then call you back and prompt you to enter the number you want to dial, routes it over VoIP, and you're connected. check it out.
it wont work. it would cost like double for me. and one more thing, its not that what i want or what i can?
its just IDEA so that XDA community can make it possible. Its like exploring possibility of Android OS, to make it as a SERVER to forward calls received in GSM, through VoIP.
Its something thats never been done, or never even tried by anyone.
The basic is
1st person calls nexus one phone [local number so it be cheap]
NEXUS pick up call automatically {developed server software running}
NEXUS beeps[this mean sipdorid active][so can now enter number (international, which could have been deep hole in pocked if called direct)]
1st person, enter desired number as DTMF, and press # to confirm.
NEXUS dials that number though VoIP SIPDROID. Phone connected. And join that VoIP call with GSM call.
bhanvadia said:
it wont work. it would cost like double for me. and one more thing, its not that what i want or what i can?
its just IDEA so that XDA community can make it possible. Its like exploring possibility of Android OS, to make it as a SERVER to forward calls received in GSM, through VoIP.
Its something thats never been done, or never even tried by anyone.
The basic is
1st person calls nexus one phone [local number so it be cheap]
NEXUS pick up call automatically {developed server software running}
NEXUS beeps[this mean sipdorid active][so can now enter number (international, which could have been deep hole in pocked if called direct)]
1st person, enter desired number as DTMF, and press # to confirm.
NEXUS dials that number though VoIP SIPDROID. Phone connected. And join that VoIP call with GSM call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem with the idea--there is currently no way to bridge the SIP call with the GSM call. Even call recorder apps (post-Donut) are not possible because Android does not allow access to the incoming audio. Even if somehow you compiled your own custom kernel and ROM to accomplish that, your problem would be that neither Sipdroid nor 3CXPhone allow bridging calls other than SIP (as they are native SIP clients that do not interface with GSM). Perhaps if Gingerbread gives access to incoming audio, something could be done.
as for the callback approach "costing double," that's just not true. Termination to India (landline and mobiles) is only 1 US cent. Plus, you will not be using any of your airtime credit because it will be an incoming call for you, so in the end you save quite a bit of money since you will only be paying the usual rate + 1 cent per minute. (So, a call to the U.S. would cost you a total of 1.9 cents/min, for example.)
That's the practical solution to your issue.
its not issue, and there are no number in that website for india. and one more thing, google allow us to control audio, thats how AUDIO mod came out, and also thats how A2DP bluetooth started to work on desire roms with FM. Plus if we see, sipdroid as opensource, and someone developes way to do that, i m sure sipdroid team will do it possible to use sip with that.
bhanvadia said:
its not issue, and there are no number in that website for india. and one more thing, google allow us to control audio, thats how AUDIO mod came out, and also thats how A2DP bluetooth started to work on desire roms with FM. Plus if we see, sipdroid as opensource, and someone developes way to do that, i m sure sipdroid team will do it possible to use sip with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, as I said, Android does not expose the incoming audio stream from a GSM call.
That has nothing to do with FM radio or A2DP, since those are not related to GSM calls.
And you can indeed use Callwithus from India by using either the caller-ID based callback feature as I explained before, or by using their web callback feature. Either way, their system will call you and then connect the call and you will not have to use up any of your airtime credit since it would be an incoming call for you. You would pay the usual termination rate (plus the 1 cent/min charge for terminating your end of the call to your India number)

CalLiberate - a new way to communicate

Can communication be free? I mean, really free?
Since the history of humans two things have been free, Thinking and Talking. Someone began thinking about talking and started charging others for it. Now Talking is Free Again!
So you remember it has been a while since you haven’t called your grandparents and you know they would love to hear you. Or maybe you need to talk to your girlfriend who is doing some shopping and tell her you’re out of shampoo. Or maybe make an order from your favourite pizza delivery. In either case, you need to make that phone call. And Internet calling, as awesome and free as it is, is not going to help you.The pizza guys won’t give you a Skype address, your girlfriend might have the Viber app but the local shop is probably not having free WiFi and your grandparents...well, your they still loves their simple feature phone and you’re not going to change this. Whenever you want to talk with anyone, you don’t use Skype or Viber. You just call on their mobile or landline number. We have to face it, the old fashioned calls (which are known as PSTN calls) are here to stay. You use it everyday and you’re still having to pay for it.
But why can’t an awesome technology like Internet calling be enough to make you reach anyone anywhere and not pay a cent? Well, there are at least 3 big reasons for it:
First, obviously, not everyone uses Skype or Viber. The adoption of smartphone apps that allow Internet calling has grown hugely but is still limited. Skype has a number of daily active users of around 5 million, while there are billions of users that talk in PSTN every day. Looks like there the pain of changing the standard way is too big.
Calling on Skype and Viber is not spontaneous. You as a caller have to think if the person you want to call is online or not, will be on wifi or mobile network, if on mobile network then on 2G, 3G or 4G, and then whether he/she has enough data to talk with you. And most of the times you will have to schedule a time to talk with people on Skype & Viber. It is not as easy as you would’ve called them directly on their mobile number i.e make a PSTN call.
Not everyone has access to an Internet connection which is also powerful enough to allow a good Internet call quality. Your WiFi is usually at home and some people may not have a 3G/4G data plan or the speed may not allow for a decent voice call (like, for example 2G).
So if you want to reach most of your contacts, your only hope is to to still use the old fashioned phone call which requires you to call a mobile or landline number, but your mobile carrier won’t give away the chance to take your money so easily. Seems like no solution. Well, not really! Because now, there is CalLiberate.
CalLiberate allows people to make unlimited & free, local & international calls to their friends and family on CalLiberate. Users can call any person straight from their contacts list or just dial mobile numbers with country code You can basically call anyone you would otherwise call with your regular phone dialer. Only for free.
But how can this be possible? It’s simple. CalLiberate pays the call cost for you.
CalLiberate is an Android app which released it’s 0.9.4 BETA version on 17th March 2015. CalLiberate’s mission is to provide unlimited and free calling worldwide. Unlike other applications, CalLiberate does not charge their users for calling directly to mobile numbers.
The current list of countries that CalLiberate supports where you can directly call mobile numbers (PSTN calls) are India, United States, Canada, Germany UK & Romania. More countries will be added to this list. While CalLiberate to CalLiberate calls can happen worldwide.
Play Store: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.calliberate.app
Website: calliberate.com
Please, pretty please add support for Australia. This is exactly what I've been looking for.
Hi Jesse,
We will soon add Austraila in our list of supported outbound countries.
Jesse72 said:
Please, pretty please add support for Australia. This is exactly what I've been looking for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
calliberate said:
Hi Jesse,
We will soon add Austraila in our list of supported outbound countries.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet! How long is 'soon'? Could you give a rough idea of how long it will be?
Maybe within 2 Weeks, or much earlier. We are also looking to support France and Spain as well.
Jesse72 said:
Sweet! How long is 'soon'? Could you give a rough idea of how long it will be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Categories

Resources