IPhone App to Sidestep AT&T - GoFuckYourself.com

Barefootsies · 03-25-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

For a little $1 iPhone app, Line2 sure has the potential to shake up an entire industry.

It can save you money. It can make calls where AT&T's (T) signal is weak, like indoors. It can turn an iPod Touch into a full-blown cellphone.

And it can ruin the sleep of cellphone executives everywhere.

Line2 gives your iPhone a second phone number -- a second phone line, complete with its own contacts list, voice mail, and so on. The company behind it, Toktumi (get it?), imagines that you'll distribute the Line2 number to business contacts, and your regular iPhone number to friends and family. Your second line can be an 800 number, if you wish, or you can transfer an existing number.

To that end, Toktumi offers, on its Web site, a raft of Google (GOOG) Voice-ish features that are intended to help a small businesses look bigger: call screening, Do Not Disturb hours and voice mail messages sent to you as e-mail. You can create an "automated attendant" -- "Press 1 for sales," "Press 2 for accounting," and so on -- that routes incoming calls to other phone numbers. Or, if you're pretending to be a bigger business than you are, route them all to yourself.

The Line2 app is a carbon copy, a visual clone, of the iPhone's own phone software. The dialing pad, your iPhone Contacts list, your recent calls list and visual voice mail all look just like the iPhone's.

(Let's pause for a moment here to blink, dumbfounded, at that point. Apple's (AAPL) rules prohibit App Store programs that look or work too much like the iPhone's own built-in apps. For example, Apple rejected the Google Voice app because, as Apple explained to the Federal Communications Commission, it works "by replacing the iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls." That is exactly what Line2 does. Oh well -- the Jobs works in mysterious ways.)

So you have a second line on your iPhone. But that's not the best part.

Line2 also turns the iPhone into a dual-mode phone. That is, it can make and receive calls either using either the AT&T airwaves as usual, or -- now this is the best part -- over the Internet. Any time you're in a wireless hot spot, Line2 places its calls over Wi-Fi instead of AT&T's network.

That's a game-changer. Where, after all, is cellphone reception generally the worst? Right -- indoors. In your house or your office building, precisely where you have Wi-Fi. Line2 in Wi-Fi means rock-solid, confident reception indoors.

Line2 also runs on the iPod Touch. When you're in a Wi-Fi hot spot, your Touch is now a full-blown cellphone, and you don't owe AT&T a penny.

But wait, there's more.

Turns out Wi-Fi calls don't use up any AT&T minutes. You can talk all day long, without ever worrying about going over your monthly allotment of minutes. Wi-Fi calls are free forever.

Well, not quite free; Line2 service costs $15 a month (after a 30-day free trial).

But here's one of those cases where spending more could save you money. If you're in a Wi-Fi hot spot most of the time (at work, for example), that's an awful lot of calling you can do in Wi-Fi -- probably enough to downgrade your AT&T plan to one that gives you fewer minutes. If you're on the 900-minute or unlimited plan ($90 or $100 a month), for example, you might be able to get away with the 450-minute plan ($70). Even with Line2's fee, you're saving $5 or $15 a month.

Line2 also lets you call overseas phone numbers for Skype-like rates: 2 to 5 cents a minute to most countries. (A full table of rates is available at toktumi.com.) As a handy globetrotters' bonus, calls home to numbers in the United States from overseas hot spots are free.

All of these benefits come to you when you're in a Wi-Fi hot spot, because your calls are carried by the Internet instead of by AT&T. Interestingly enough, though, Line2 can also make Internet calls even when you're not in a hot spot.

It can, at your option, place calls over AT&T's 3G data network, where it's available. Every iPhone plan includes unlimited use of this 3G network -- it's how your iPhone sends e-mail and surfs the Web. So once again, Line2 calls don't use up any of your monthly voice minutes.

Unfortunately, voice connections on the 3G network aren't as strong and reliable as the voice or Wi-Fi methods. Cellular data networks aren't made for seamless handoffs from cell tower to tower as you drive, for example -- there's not much need for it if you're just doing e-mail and Web -- so dropped calls are more likely. Fortunately, if you're on a 3G data-network call and you walk into a hot spot, Line2 switches to the more reliable Wi-Fi network seamlessly, in midcall.

Whenever you do have an Internet connection -- either Wi-Fi or a strong 3G area -- you're in for a startling treat. If you and your calling partner are both Line2 subscribers, Line2 kicks you into superhigh audio-quality mode (16-bit mode, as the techies call it).

Your calling partners sound as if they're speaking right into the mike at an FM radio station. It's almost too clear; you hear the other person's breathing, lip smacks, clothing rustling and so on. After years of suffering through awful cellphone audio, it's quite a revelation to hear what you've been missing.

Now, this all sounds wonderful, and Line2 generally is wonderful. But there's room for improvement.

First, as you've no doubt already concluded, understanding Line2 is complicated. You have three different ways to make calls, each with pros and cons.

You miss a certain degree of refinement, too. The dialing pad doesn't make touch-tone sounds as you tap the keys. There's no Favorites list within the Line2 app. You can't get or send text messages on your Line2 line. (The company says it will fix all this soon.)

There's a faint hiss on Line2 calls, as if you're on a long-distance call in 1970. The company says that it deliberately introduces this "comfort noise" to reassure you that you're still connected, but it's unnecessary. And sometimes there's a voice delay of a half-second or so (of course, you sometimes get that on regular cellphone calls, too).

Finally, a note about incoming calls. If the Line2 app is open at the time, you're connected via Wi-Fi, if available. If it's not running, the call comes in through AT&T, so you lose the benefits of Wi-Fi calling. In short, until Apple blesses the iPhone with multitasking software, you have to leave Line2 open whenever you put the phone to sleep. That's awkward.

Still, Line2 is the first app that can receive incoming calls via either Wi-Fi or cellular voice, so you get the call even if the app isn't running. That's one of several advantages that distinguish it from other voice-over-Internet apps like Skype and TruPhone.

Another example: If you're on a Wi-Fi call using those other programs, and someone calls your regular iPhone number, your first call is unceremoniously disconnected. Line2, on the other hand, offers you the chance to decline the incoming call without losing your Wi-Fi call.

Those rival apps also lack Line2's call-management features, visual voice mail and conference calling with up to 20 other people. And Line2 is the only app that gives you a choice of call methods for incoming and outgoing calls.

All of this should rattle cell industry executives, because let's face it: the Internet tends to make things free. Cell carriers go through life hoping nobody notices the cellephant in the room: that once everybody starts making free calls over the Internet, it's Game Over for the dollars-for-minutes model.

Line2, however, brings us one big step closer to that very future. It's going to be a wild ride.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home...o-sidestep-att

fatfoo · 03-25-2010, 08:29 PM

$1, that's the millionaire price.

$1 iPhone app - very good, very cheap.

The cheaper the price, the more people will pull out their wallets.

Waddymelon · 03-25-2010, 08:31 PM

Well, fuck AT&T.

And fuck fatfoo as well. Weird fucker.

Barefootsies · 03-25-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddymelon

fuck fatfoo as well. Weird fucker.

Juicy D. Links · 03-25-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddymelon

And fuck fatfoo as well. Weird fucker.

sandman! · 03-25-2010, 08:46 PM

no blackberry support ?

LiveDose · 03-25-2010, 08:46 PM

Sounds awesome.

NetHorse · 03-25-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddymelon

Well, fuck AT&T.

And fuck fatfoo as well. Weird fucker.

LMAO..

Bird · 03-25-2010, 09:32 PM

I use google voice and sms on my unlocked prepaid android phone, I pay like $150 a year.

96ukssob · 03-25-2010, 09:45 PM

Already removed from the iPhone store?? Lame!

BIGTYMER · 03-25-2010, 09:51 PM

Toktumi.com:
Toktumi and Line2 are currently experiencing a denial of service attack. We are trying to isolate the attackers and restore service. Please stand by.

96ukssob · 03-25-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossku69

Already removed from the iPhone store?? Lame!

where did my sig go? because i posted from my phone?

hypedough · 03-25-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGTYMER

Toktumi.com:
Toktumi and Line2 are currently experiencing a denial of service attack. We are trying to isolate the attackers and restore service. Please stand by.

The attackers call themselves "ATT".

pamon · 03-25-2010, 11:24 PM

yeah, kind of ironic. they get all kinds of huge press today and they get attacked. tried it and liked it a lot in the past. david pogue from the NY Times did a piece on it and liked it as well.

SomeCreep · 03-25-2010, 11:29 PM

Earth should be renamed to Apple. One day they will own it.

NemesisEnforcer · 03-26-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandman!

no blackberry support ?

There web site say, "Now Get the Power of toktumi On Your iPhone or BlackBerry with the new Line2 App."

RazorSharpe · 03-26-2010, 05:17 PM

Can only get this at the US Itunes - shame! Same goes for a speech to text app i wanted to try a while ago - think it was naturally speaking? Sounds like a good app though; if it does what it says on the tin.

CamTraffic · 03-26-2010, 05:27 PM

that s the reason why i never got a iPhone, ATT sucks!
I wish some other carriers took over

candyflip · 03-26-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossku69

where did my sig go? because i posted from my phone?

Yes. All mobile posts seem to dump the sig.

candyflip · 03-26-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeCreep

Earth should be renamed to Apple. One day they will own it.

Not if Google or Microsoft have anything to say about it.

03-25-2010, 08:29 PM	#2
fatfoo ICQ:649699063 Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 27,763	$1, that's the millionaire price. $1 iPhone app - very good, very cheap. The cheaper the price, the more people will pull out their wallets. __________________ Send me an email: [email protected]

03-25-2010, 08:46 PM	#6
sandman! Icq: 14420613 Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: chicago Posts: 15,432	no blackberry support ? __________________ Need WebHosting ? Email me for some great deals [email protected]

03-25-2010, 08:46 PM	#7
LiveDose Show Yer Tits! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere Out there... Posts: 25,792	Sounds awesome. __________________ Scammer Alert: acer19 acer [email protected] [email protected] Money stolen using PayPal

03-25-2010, 09:32 PM	#9
Bird Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stockton Posts: 4,365	I use google voice and sms on my unlocked prepaid android phone, I pay like $150 a year. __________________ ICQ:268731675

03-25-2010, 11:24 PM	#14
pamon Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,108	yeah, kind of ironic. they get all kinds of huge press today and they get attacked. tried it and liked it a lot in the past. david pogue from the NY Times did a piece on it and liked it as well. __________________ Email: [email protected] Skype: davidamodt. / TG: Davidamodt US Adult Content & Porn Writer Project/Sites/Tubes/Reviews & More

03-25-2010, 08:31 PM	#3
Waddymelon So Fucking Banned Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Whitehouse Posts: 17,349	Well, fuck AT&T. And fuck fatfoo as well. Weird fucker.

03-25-2010, 09:45 PM	#10
96ukssob So Fucking Banananananas Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: If I was in your ass you'd know it Posts: 12,991	Already removed from the iPhone store?? Lame!

03-25-2010, 09:51 PM	#11
BIGTYMER Junior Achiever Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Walled Garden Posts: 17,066	Toktumi.com: Toktumi and Line2 are currently experiencing a denial of service attack. We are trying to isolate the attackers and restore service. Please stand by.

03-25-2010, 11:29 PM	#15
SomeCreep :glugglug Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where the Wild Things Are Posts: 26,118	Earth should be renamed to Apple. One day they will own it. __________________ Webair Hosting I use and recommend Webair for hosting.

03-26-2010, 05:17 PM	#17
RazorSharpe Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 2,238	Can only get this at the US Itunes - shame! Same goes for a speech to text app i wanted to try a while ago - think it was naturally speaking? Sounds like a good app though; if it does what it says on the tin. __________________ Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.

03-26-2010, 05:27 PM	#18
CamTraffic Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Paris - Miami Posts: 6,535	that s the reason why i never got a iPhone, ATT sucks! I wish some other carriers took over __________________ I am always buying traffic and white labels. Hit me up. Email me HERE!