I have been a frequent user of Truphone since it launched its mobile VoIP service over two years ago. What started as a simple VoIP client for Nokia Symbian S60 devices is fast becoming a unified client that does it all. You can make low-cost calls using Wi-Fi networks, utilize the wireless networks for call-back services and send SMS messages on the cheap.
The company is now taking a big step toward becoming an all-encompassing service by announcing support for Skype and other instant messaging. If you have Truphone installed on your iPhone or iTouch you can make (and receive) Skype calls and send instant messages to other Skype users by downloading the updated software on Jan. 12. So far, accessing Skype on an iPhone/iTouch has been hard. (According to our commenters, you can use Fring for iPhone or Nimbuzz iPhone apps to access Skype.)
I had tried to wrestle Skype CEO Josh Silverman on when he was going to release a client, but failed to get an answer from him. So, from that perspective, this is a welcome upgrade by Truphone. The company is also adding support to other messaging services as well. You can also access Twitter using the Truphone client. The offering is exclusively for iPhone and iTouch for now.
Geraldine Wilson, who was recently appointed as the chief executive of Truphone, told me in a conversation earlier today that Truphone wants to “offer our users a comprehensive communications experience. We started out as a voice app but now we are broadening it to other applications.”
By doing so, Wilson and Truphone founder James Tagg believe that they will give Truphone users a reason to stay insider the application longer, creating more opportunities to make phone calls and bringing in much-needed revenues. “In a mobile environment it is hard to switch between different applications, and that is why we are creating a single application environment,” Tagg says.
As we have noticed previously, iPhone and iTouch have been saviors for Truphone. Wilson told me that the company has more than 100,000 subscribers who use an iPhone, and iTouch has started to see an quick ramp as well. “Since the iPhone introduction, we are seeing our subscriber base double every month,” she said. In Fall 2008, I spoke with Truphone’s CTO, Alistair Campbell, who told me:
Truphone for iPhone now accounts for about one-half of the total number of Truphone users. And while he wouldn’t disclose the total number of downloads, he did say that the company is focusing more of its resources on Apple’s platform.
OK, now I have another reason to use Truphone.
You hitting CES this year Om? Bet Skype announces iPhone and Blackberry clients at their press conference.
Dave thanks for the comment. No plans for me to hit CES. am letting the team from jkOnTheRun do our bidding at CES. They are likely to file a lot of stuff from CES. I hope Skype announces something for Blackberry and iPhone. it is a long time since they did something exciting.
I’ve been using Fring to make Skype out and skype/skype calls for a month now. Does MSN im and voice as well I believe. And twittrd. And google talk voice and Im.
Om:
That’s an interesting feature to support. Fring, Mig33, Eqo and bunch of other startups have been supporting multi IM and VoIM for quite sometime. I’m not sure how companies can make money from multi IM and VoIM feature. Maybe, VoIM via PSTN may fetch them some revenue. Not sure if this is gone be sustainable revenue. My arguments might partially apply to truphone as they do have some revenue generating features. I think the market will consolidate this year for such apps and we will hear some good and bad news.
Wish you happy New Year OM.
Cheers,
Ravi(Omfut)
I think it would be good to access Skype on Truphone is great. I have to say amongst all the VoIP services, Truphone is the one that has proved its utility to me personally. Also thanks for your wishes.
also note that nimbuzz on the iphone supports skype calls and IMs.
Nice, but Fring is much better and complete : not only Skype but Google / Yahoo IM, MSN and Twitter !
Om,
Happy New Year! I’ve never gotten Fring for iPhone to work when it comes to Skype.
If someone could get Skype voice and messaging to work on the iPhone, that would be a phenomenally successful application. I hope Dave is right that Skype will announce just such a thing at CES.
Regards,
Cynthia
I totally agree with Geraldine and James from ((truphone)), consolidating more apps I am using everyday into the Voice feature at ((truphone)) will make me use it even more. Also I am a heavy truphone addict since years I must say I cannot live without the app anymore. It is totally business essentials in day to day calling, in particular calling international but more and more also calling within a country.
I just installed truphone on my i-pod touch. In the IMMore options there is a Setup which shows a Skype icon. Selecting the Skype option displays a message which reads: “SKYPE Coming soon. Skype is almost ready. Watch this space!” Therefore, you can imagine my disappointment after having read this thread. Anyhow – if you’re thinking of downloading and trying this app – it is free and it does look like a genuine attempt to get Skype onto the ipod Touch. I will make a point of posting another message here if/when it ever happens.
Dear Om!
Many thanks for your work. I was searching on Internet for a good journalist writing about Skype functionality on mobile and discovered “Truphone Brings Skype To iPhone & iTouch” atricle.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Elena and I am working in Business Development Team in SHAPE Services Company. You may be aware of our IM+ All-in-One Messenger and IM+ for Skype which are the top selling products for all mobile platforms for years.
We have developed IM+ for Skype for iPhone and iPod Touch and it is recently available in App Store.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=301184235&mt=8
Maybe you will be interested in writing your new article about IM+ for Skype for iPhone? We will be glad to provide you all information about the application and a version to try.
Hope for your positive decision.
With kind regards,
Elena
Yeah OM,
Try Shape’s IM+ for Skype on the iPhone and discover the WORST app ever. The thing does not work, has no dial keyboard, and after waiting days NO answer from their lousy support! Maybe if the spent sometime reading their support emails and working on the app, instead of reading about other iPhone apps they might have something. IM+ for Skype does not even belong in the App Store, it is trash!
As far as Truphone goes. It is an excellent app, BUT still no Skype support! Fring work with Skype. Hopefully soon Skype will have their own iPhone app.
Elena, your app sucks. Skype support should have simply have been added to IM+ and NOT be a separate app, for an unjustified money grab.
just tried skype on truphone on my iphone
works but with very bi delay and therefore cannot be used
for normal conversation
its more like a old walky talky
Fring for iphone connects for free to skype and other fring users, also uses true skype out to call regular phone numbers and therefore has MUCH better rates and voice quality is excellent! It is available in the Apple store. Truphone is an inferior product, and more expensive, that has received, unfortunately, more publicity.
i wonder if Truphone is planning to be the part of social networking sites – as it has already embedd Twitter – plus while surfing i found another VoIP service Vopium has recently introduced mobile sync – a phonebook service which can take backup of your mobile contacts and calendar – i think soon Truphone will provide these features of running your social life while playing your mobile data and twitter using Truphone 🙂 The low call rates and perfect call quality is still the best among all other sevices 🙂
My truphone does not have skype icon where I can make skype call. is my truphone is not updated. Please help
Wow! Thank you! I constantly wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I implement a portion of your post to my website?