Turning an iPod Touch Into an iPhone 175
David Burnett recommends an eWeek article on the leading contenders to make an iPhone out of an iPod Touch. Of course your newly phone-capable iTouch needs no activation and no binding carrier contract, just Wi-Fi. One of the companies working in this space, JaJah, is bundling the software with back-end services such as billing, so that carriers — or anyone really — can offer free-calling iTouch phones.
an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:1, Insightful)
in other words, a defective phone, only useful in areas where you trust the wifi connection.
"Just needs wifi" (Score:5, Insightful)
Ya thats nice, but haven't you noticed that open/free wifi is starting to become more and more scarce? If you cant just whip it out at anytime and make a call, its rather limited in its usefulness.
It would be worse then it was when having a cell phone back in the old days when coverage was spotty at best and you were paying for that privilege.
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:5, Insightful)
in other words, a defective phone, only useful in areas where you trust the wifi connection.
Yeah, like the cordless phone you have sitting on the charger at home. Only it doesn't cost anything per month and doesn't necessarily need to be restricted to just working at home.
It sucks that it wouldn't help you much if you travel through time and space, but it's not exactly a lump of nothing, either.
Add WiMax or cell-wifi bridge (Score:4, Insightful)
I'll give 'em credit for following the idea of using a WiFi mobile device with VoIP, but that's really not particularly revolutionary. What's needed next is WiMax or a small portable cell-WiFi bridge. If the bandwidth's high enough (EVDO rev a is almost there), then you have affordable unlimited talk and data...
Something is missing... (Score:4, Insightful)
Open high speed wireless networks (Score:5, Insightful)
This is why I really hope we get some actually *open* wireless Internet built as a result of the analog TV spectrum being reallocated. I was very disappointed that the government didn't adopt the openness rules recommended by Google in the auction.
Imagine how great it would be to not be beholden to cell carriers, but to be able to buy any kind of Internet device you want, and use it as a phone if you want. It would open up competition between hardware manufacturers and service providers. Competition is good.
interesting concept but (Score:2, Insightful)
Even so it this a reasonable solution. The iPod touch is a $200 gadget. One has to assume that some use outside of the spec are going to be used. For instance, if Apple is not saying it can support a microphone, then one assumes that feature cannot be tested, and the iPod touch cannot be returned on that basis if it does not work. I can see this as a cool tech thing, and might do it, but would not depend on it to work, for instance as a primary home phone through comcast, and certainly would not build a business around it.
This is where I get a bit annoyed with style over substance. I use apple products because the generally perform for me, and I buy what I need and can afford. If I could not afford an iPhone, I would not get a touch and pretend it was an iPhone just to be cool. If the iPhone did not work in my locale, I wouldn't be one of those trying to figure out how to make it work. I would just buy something else.
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:5, Insightful)
Shut down by Apple lawsuit in 3...2...1...
Lawsuit? There wont be any lawsuit... at least Apple wont be the one filing it. Apple has complete control of the iPod Touch through "The App Store". They simply wont allow these applications to be sold or downloaded.
What's that? Your going to find a way to put it on there without Apple's permission? A simple firmware upgrade will take care of that.
Re:interesting concept but (Score:5, Insightful)
There's one application where VOIP is significantly preferable to the standard cellular network: international calling. I can use a VOIP app to talk to my cousins in Australia for free; being able to walk around my house or sit at the local coffeeshop while doing so would be nice.
This isn't about style; it's about adding functionality to a nice little piece of hardware. My cell phone's practically an antique at this point, but I have no need to upgrade it because I don't talk on the phone much. My iPod is a great PDA; adding VOIP capability would just be icing on the cake.
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:3, Insightful)
Yeah, like the cordless phone you have sitting on the charger at home.
Does it also cost $30.00 with two handsets and extra charging station?
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:3, Insightful)
Does your home telephone play games and music?
Re:"Just needs wifi" (Score:5, Insightful)
Really depends on what your definition of "limited". Of course you're not going to be able to use it everywhere, but if you want that, that's what cell phones are for.
Not everyone wants (or needs) to be available to take a call all the time. The main times I want to be around a phone is at work (where there's wifi) and at home (where they're also wifi). Anywhere else that happens to have free wifi (like my local coffee shop) is a bonus. For me this would allow me to use the phone 90% of the time where I am normally. That would be enough for me and I wouldn't find it limiting at all.
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:2, Insightful)
Music for a phone keypad [sayyad.ca]
and another [storagereview.net]
it's full of them.
Re:interesting concept but (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:1, Insightful)
well, and can't call 911.
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:an iphone that's missing 3g and edge (Score:4, Insightful)
add a link and / or some instructions and earn some modpoints!
1) Jailbreak iPhone
2) Install any of the available SIP clients through Cydia
3) Profit!