You have probably been paying more for voice calls on your phone without knowing that there is an Android app designed to let you make calls using Voice over internet protocol (VoIP). If you call someone with compatible services and corresponding data plans the calls are free. The app known as Truphone is to be installed via the Android market. After download, launch the app and then create a new account with a username and password. Input a valid email address and then click create. You will be warned that the app has not been tested for your handset and some functions may not work normally, ignore it and click OK to continue.
You will be presented with a mobile phone like keypad on the touch screen by the Truphone dialer. Dial a number by tapping on the keys or select a contact from your contact list and press the green call button. The call will be routed over the internet and that is why calls to regular phone numbers will be cheaper than a normal call on many of the networks, especially for international ones. You must sign up with Truphone and purchase credit for the calls and the remainder will be displayed at the bottom left corner of the screen and is adjusted after each call ends.
If you connect your Android phone to Wi-Fi, you can call other Truphone users together with other services like Skype and GoogleTalk for free. To access the onscreen keypad, click on the number field in the dialer. Enter the Truphone username of the person you want to contact then tap Call. However, there is no way of identifying which of your contacts are on Truphone so you will have to ask them for their username to enter it.
If you wish to contact Skype and GoogleTalk users over Wi-Fi in the same manner, you will have to add these accounts to your IM services list within the Truphone app.
To add more VoIP contacts, go to the right hand side if the dialer screen and choose IM option. Select add IM service from the drop down options; MSN, AIM, Skype or GoogleTalk but note that only the last two currently support voice. Log into your account and tap add IM service and under the services tab you will see an icon for the service you have just added and the sign out option too. Choose the IM tab to view the contacts from the added services with those currently available highlighted in green.
You can now start contacting your Skype or Google friends who are available. All you have to do is click on a contact name and a textbox and an onscreen keyboard will be displayed. Type and send your friend an instant message or better still you can call them. To do so you will tap the menu button to bring up the call option. Tap on it and Truphone will start the call.
For international calls, Truphone facilitates them and they also become cheaper. Your call will be redirected to a local access number by Truphone anywhere which will be completed by its server. The screen will show 'setting up the call' when you dial and a voice explaining that you will be able to use Truphone Anywhere but hang up if you don't have to.
You can top up credit to your Truphone account right from your Android phone. Go to more menu button and select My account. If it's the first time to do this, you will have to enter your mobile number for validation. After you do so then you will now be able to see your balance and rates, register a credit card and change your password if need be. Calling can now be cheaper thanks to the Truphone app.
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