I used Vonage as my main home phone service for a bit of time a number of years ago. I’ve since moved on to other solutions (Ooma), but I took note when the company released their new iOS app the other day. I know what you are thinking, “Another phone app for iOS? Who needs it?”
Well think again, because I just made a call to Coach using my iPod touch and a headset, and here is what he had to say:
“Sounds better than when my wife calls me on her iPhone and you are using an iPod touch. This is clearer than anything I’ve heard.”
The app’s interface will seem familiar to you if you have ever used an iPhone; it’s the same dialer, same access to contact, but even more is available. There is also an option for looking up a country or accessible account information. It is all quite simple, and that’s the idea.
Coach and I kept talking, and there wasn’t even the slightest hiccup on the call. I could hear him perfectly and he could hear me so clearly that, at one point, he interrupted himself to say, “Yeah this is definitely the best quality call I’ve gotten on my iPhone. Definitely.”
And then, shock or all shocks, his iPhone dropped the call. Yes, my iPod touch was working just fine, but his AT&T PHONE couldn’t hold the call. Go figure. What? You’re not surprised? Well, me neither.
Let’s talk pricing. The app charges PER CALL. Interestingly, the calls are considered In-App purchases and the charge is simply taken from your iTunes account.
A fifteen minute call from a device in the US to a US number is $.99.
A call to Israel is $1.99. Want to call Afghanistan? That will be $6.99. Aruba? $3.99.
Sure, if you use it a lot the bills could add up quickly, but this is a great option. The calls are crystal clear and, going into it, you will know exactly what the call costs. There won’t be the slightest surprise. That’s a good thing.
Other features include the ability to use WiFi or 3G in the US and Canada, there is no need to be a Vonage customer and, for the time being, if you make a call and there are unused minutes you can use them for additional calls.
The Vonage Time-to-Call app is available HERE in the App Store.
What I Like: Clear calls; WiFi and 3G supported; You know the price of the call up front; Works great on the iPod touch; No need for a contact
What Needs Improvement: At $.99 a call it can add up quite quickly. While unused minutes can be used for additional calls it is a great deal but when that ends the price would need to drop a bit before I would use it on a regular basis
Don’t forget that Vonage has just begin a massive ‘Time to Call’ promotion, and they are giving away 75 iPad 2s on 75 sites — Gear Diary’s giveaway will start on August 14th! =)