We have been seeing a lot of VOIP iPhone app solutions lately. Some notable ones include Tango iPhone app, Viber iPhone app, etc.
Talkatone is essentially another free VOIP iPhone app that is also an instant messenger for GTalk.
In fact, this is the first app I have seen use our Google Voice number hooked upto GTalk to make phone calls over 3G or WiFi without using cell phone minutes. If you have used Google Voice on iPhone before, it normally uses your carrier voice plan to connect you on phone calls.
Talkatone is an interesting solution where it uses GTalk’s ability to make free voice calls in US and Canada. So, this requires you to have a Google Voice number and have it integrated with your GTalk account.
You don’t need a Talkatone account. You just use your Google Account and even Google Apps accounts work. Here is the detail from the app description
? Making calls to regular phones requires an existing Google Voice? account integrated with Google Talk? and is available for U.S. users – please read below (Google Talk is available worldwide).
? Login using your GMail account directly to Google Servers over a secure connection.
? Portrait and Landscape modes supported.
? Voice Calls over 3G and WiFi with advanced codecs for superior voice call quality.
? Share your location in real time with your peers.
? Unique double-side coverflow navigation with support of swipe gestures for quick switching between open windows.
? Basic Bluetooth headset support.
? Double-tap top status bar to show the "Quick Menu".? To setup Google Voice to Google Talk integration you have to have Google Voice registered with your GMail email address.
? Login to your GMail account on Mac or PC and sign in to chat there
? Make at least one phone call from there using "Call phone" button. If you don’t have "Call phone" you may need to install Google Video chat plugin first.
? Optionally: To receive your Google Voice calls in Talkatone as VoIP you may login to your Google Voice account and click "Forward to Google Chat".
Google Voice to Google Talk integration is available for all U.S. based GMail accounts and Google Apps accounts transitioned to the "New Architecture".
Another unique aspect of this app is that it lets you share your location easily with another person with the same app while you are chatting or talking.
Some of the features I am looking forward to with this app are video chat, group chat, an Universal app for iPad too. Plus, it would be nice to have some of the messaging features in the official Google Voice app or the popular GV Mobile app.
The voice quality was pretty decent and I think I will use this app when my minutes run low at the end of the month. I am interested in hearing how one of you who uses Google Voice extensively find this app on regular use.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Availability: App Store
Price: FREE
Reviewed at version: 0.9.3
Developed by: TalkMe.IM, Inc
