The Possible Effects of Mobile VoIP on the Industry
By: Lee Price
Submitted: 2010-09-15 09:44:51 | Word Count: 622
iLounge, a site dedicated to Apple products such as the iPod and iPhone, claim to have attained details from an unconfirmed source that the new iPod Touch will have 3G data capability and possibly also a VoIP application.
According to the source, as quoted from iLounge;
"- Apple wants to give the iPod touch an optional 3G cellular data feature and has readied a second version with a micro SIM slot like the iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G. According to a new and untested source, who is mirroring speculation we've heard from others, Apple wants to make the iPod touch an iPhone without cellular voice service.
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- Apple is giving the iPod touch a built-in VoIP phone application for both voice and FaceTime video calling. We received screenshots purporting to show the iPod touch "Phone" application and its settings features, running on a Retina Display no less, but they appeared to have been Photoshopped, and a number of little details led us to question the claims. While Apple's plans to add FaceTime software, a microphone, and camera to the iPod touch 4G are locks at this point, and iOS 4's background support for VoIP makes this feature entirely possible in any device running the OS, it would be exceptionally bold for the company to offer a full-fledged Phone application-complete with Voicemail, Call Forwarding, and Call Waiting-as a bonus for iPod touch users."
The introduction of a VoIP service in any sort of mobile platform is a potential deal winner for Apple, as they will be combining a recognised and trusted brand name with a technology that provides users with much cheaper call rates.
However at this stage in mobile VoIP development it is unlikely that the iPod Touch, or any other mobile device, would be able to offer the same advantages as a hosted VoIP service. While the ability to make VoIP calls on the move is an attractive proposition to anybody, it should not be used as the basis of a business VoIP service simply because it is not as reliable and doesn't come with the guarantee of service that is offered by a VoIP service provider.
This is not to say that the introduction of VoIP in mobile accessories is a bad thing. In fact a number of products seem to be moving towards this form of technology, with companies developing apps for iPhones that enable this for example. However it should not become the primary phone system for small businesses for the same reasons that companies don't use a mobile phone network as the backbone of their telephone system.
If used in conjunction with a fully serviceable and maintainable hosted VoIP service though, mobile VoIP applications such as the one that this source claims will be extremely useful to any business. As the technology improves and people are able to make clearer and more defined calls, confidence in VoIP services and, by extension, VoIP service providers will only improve.
This as a good thing for the industry when all is said and done. At the moment many small businesses seem content to settle with traditional telephony solutions, disregarding the myriad advantages that a business VoIP service could provide to them. With the introduction of VoIP into such a universally recognised and adored product, the technology can only be taking a conclusive step forward into the mainstream. If the rumours turn out to be true and Apple are able to make a success of the system, confidence in VoIP will be at an all time high, meaning that many will potentially begin to see a hosted VoIP service as the way to go for their telephony needs.
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