Comments on: Apple to buy iCall, worrying times for other providers?

By: zahadum

zahadum — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:07:59 +0000

first, voip fails EPICALLY on the iPhone/itouch

no amount of bandwidth (10mbps) will allow upstream audio to be transported smoothly on the i* platforms (across a variety of different ISP’s).

… at least for the SIP-based clients: Fring (A TOTAL LOST CAUSE), truphone, etc.

So it is sad that the only voip that might work is a proprietary one like skype

second, most of the voip VAN’s for the i* do not have local access numbers (to/from pstn) for most parts of the world – so voip is, in effect useable, in only a dozen major cities (mostly USA, and maybe two or three in EU).

All round, one prays that apple does buy a voip platform & integrates it into the core i* package — just as one also hopes it buys a hotpsot platform (eg boingo) & integrates it into a revolutionary mesh internetwork (cisco & apple inter alia did make an announcement about a mesh-like grid recently – which would be a perfect wimax-enhanced companion to apple’s thin-server productline, atv, timecapsule, airport).

if Apple wants to retain its momentum as thecmarket leader, then it needs to EXPLODE the revenue models of the dinosaur carriers.

voip is a vital step in that direction.

(just as buying Twitter & facebook would consolidate its position in media).

the

By: Gerard Brandon

Gerard Brandon — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:50:55 +0000

The only way to compete for mobile carriers is to make inroads themselves into the VoIP business and offer it as a budget package. Ignoring the Elephant in the room is not going to eliminate it. Bringing VoIP into the mix in what Apple is doing is bringing VoIP into the mainstream. That is taking a big slice of the $692 billion mobile carrier market, soon rather than later.

If mobile carriers don’t do it they may end up like Blockbuster, big in their day but lost to the new markets of Netflix and Lovefilm.com and they losing control, especially they are not willing to participate. With 800+ mobile carriers there is nothing to stop Apple doing deals, or even taking over some of the mobile carriers to ensure continuation of service.

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:26:54 +0000

Interestingly, iCall has no Mac OS X desktop App.

I currently use Skype on my Macbook and Touch, and love it.

By: Pat Phelan

Pat Phelan — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:26:02 +0000

@js
iphone is in wifi cover work/home 70% of the time

@timeseditor
truphone have raised more than the retail price of iCall so that one is out I think

By: TimesEditor

TimesEditor — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:12:51 +0000

I persoanlly think Truphone is better than both iCall and Skype – so thats my preferred option … perhaps apple should buy them.

By: JS

JS — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:59:51 +0000

Ummm, what if there isn’t a wifi network around? Wouldn’t you still need a carrier? I don’t see how this would affect the system that exists as far as paying for coverage goes. Apple would have to build a worldwide wifi network in order for you to drop carrier support.

By: RattyUK

RattyUK — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:57:11 +0000

“I’m afraid Apple will be likely to be a tad pricey on the WiFi carrier front and thus won’t represent VFM”

Way to go Ian. You make assumptions and then use those assumptions to slag off Apple. Why not wait and see how little value for money this actually represents and then slag it off?

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:16:07 +0000

Very interesting development; but I’m afraid Apple will be likely to be a tad pricey on the WiFi carrier front and thus won’t represent VFM – also, if they play silly sods again by blocking other apps, the competition commission will likely bitchslap them, so I can’t see myself moving away from Skype on iPhone/Pod – nor anyone with sense.

Will appease the apple fanbois no end though.