VOIP on iPad?

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Level 1

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VOIP on iPad?

I have yet to get any of the alleged free VOIP apps to work on my iPad 3G. Have they worked for anyone else? If so, how? I searched the discussions and saw nothing. Web articles talk about how it is possible, but the apps I've tried seem designed for the iPhone, not iPad.

iPad, iOS 4

Posted on Jul 7, 2010 3:56 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,483 points

Jul 7, 2010 5:19 PM in response to chrisbhall

There are a lot of previous posts that said Skype works on the iPad. However, it is not clear if it works over 3G.

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Answer 2

Jul 8, 2010 1:52 PM in response to lllaass

lllaass wrote:
There are a lot of previous posts that said Skype works on the iPad. However, it is not clear if it works over 3G.

I think Skype over 3g is just Skype to Skype. I haven't looked at ever single VOIP app for the iPad and iPhone, but I think they're just client to client over 3G. For example, Skype can call anyone while on WiFi, but not over AT&T 3G. I might be doing something wrong however.

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Answer 3

chrisbhall Author

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Jul 8, 2010 2:21 PM in response to chrisbhall

I had read that iCall worked on 3G but there is a step where you have to make a call to a verification number from your mobile phone, so it seemed designed for the iPhone, not iPad. Maybe I was missing how I would call the number, but I couldn't find anything on their site about using it with the iPad. Well, maybe something will come along soon...

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Answer 4

Jul 8, 2010 8:43 PM in response to chrisbhall

I just don't think that AT&T is allowing VOIP over their 3G network. I'm not sure if any mobile provider does.

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Answer 5

Jul 8, 2010 11:45 PM in response to chrisbhall

Whistle works great over 3G, and I just tried it to be sure. You have to listen to a commercial before it connects the call, or sign up for premium service, which for US calls is 1.7 cents per minute. It feeds back a little if you don't use earphones when volume is at half or above, and it does not seem to work with my Motorola Rokr bluetooth headphones.

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Answer 6

chrisbhall Author

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Jul 9, 2010 6:29 AM in response to chrisbhall

Thanks for the tip on Whistle. I just tried it on 3G (and wifi) and it worked fine.

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Answer 7

Jul 9, 2010 10:14 AM in response to chrisbhall

Whistle lacks push notifications. It has horrible reviews based on sound quality and the lack of push notifications. It sounds pretty useless, but I guess if you have a desire to use the iPad as a phone, there you go.

Maybe when iOS 4 comes to the iPad, we can see some good products come out that allow it to sit in the background and ring even if you're surfing the web.

Skype has the best software. I can't understand why it won't run over 3G.

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Answer 8

Jul 10, 2010 3:58 PM in response to chrisbhall

Skype works on the iPad with WIFI, I use it all the time. It will be phenomenal when multitasking is available on the iPad. Over 3G, unfortunately I do not believe that is possible, and I wonder why cell companies would ever permit this.

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Answer 9

Alias808

Level 1

19 points

Jul 10, 2010 4:18 PM in response to lllaass

Yes, VOIP via Skype works over 3G--Vodafone (Italy) and Orange (France), but not with ATT. Go figure.

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Answer 10

Jul 10, 2010 9:00 PM in response to Alias808

I use Skype over AT&T 3G all of the time. I just tested it again in case something changed. It works perfect.

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Answer 11

chrisbhall Author

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Jul 15, 2010 12:10 PM in response to Craig Brady

Thanks. I signed up for Skype and it seems to work on 3G just as you say.

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Answer 12

Lil Bob

Level 1

0 points

Jul 18, 2010 8:39 PM in response to chrisbhall

I've been using Whistle since I purchased my iPad. While it's not always great call quality over 3G, it's always excellent over a wifi connection. And since it's free, it's hard to complain.

Bob