VOIP phone - iPod touch gen 2

[offroad]

So have been looking at backup solutions for a VOIP phone. That's a phone that can call using wifi only. Am sure there are many solutions. VOIP means voice-over-internet-phone.

Need a backup phone as my primary cellphone could just be lost-dropped-stolen at any time.

So I had an old iPod touch that is a generation 2 version. You can pick one up used for $50 at eBay, that has had a new battery installed in it. You also need earphones that have a microphone.

Installed SKYPE on the iPod Touch as apple only has version 4.2.1 of iOS software on this version generation 2 device. And bang was using Skype for a phone call.

Paid Skype service is $0.05 to initiate a call and about $0.015 per minute after. Like Skype paid service as you can also use your webcam to access Skype. Skype company only charges $5 to prime your account if you go through the iTunes apple App Store to purchase credit.

 

[kyonu]

Specifically, VOIP means "Voice over IP", which means you can use it with anything that gives you an external IP address (IE connected to the internet). Yes, this means you can use it with ANY internet connection, including a cell phone hotspot. I've had to set this up several times at my job.

NOTE: This means that if you're paying for data on a cellphone, it may be easier to use a hotspot than a SKYPE connection to save money. Unfortunately, I do not have information on how much data a VOIP phone uses.

 

[SoulRaven]

http://www.upptalk.com/

 

[offroad]

UPPTALK will not work on the iPod touch generation 2 that is $50 on eBay.

You need an iPod touch generation 4 that is $100 on eBay, to work with UPPTALK

---

After you get to $100 I start looking at iPhone 4 or 4s used to see if I can find a bargain.

 

[kyonu]

Why do you have to have an Ipod to do this? You can just use your smart phone if it doesn't already have Wifi calling...

 

[SoulRaven]

With freedomPop you buy a NEW Samsung Victory 4G LTE for $119, then get basic service 200 voice 500 text 500mb data for free, or unlimited everything for $20 per month. Phone is also a hotspot after 1st gig data is reduced to 3g.

This is on the sprint network.

http://www.freedompop.com/

 

[Prisoner Of Knowledge]

Does anyone else find it annoying that you have to have a professional email, a personal email AND a junk email? I just tried the upptalk link and there's an email request on the first page. (for coverage test.) For the record, this is nowhere near the posters' fault...but it's like these companies don't know that we know what this is about. They'll spam the shite out your inbox - as though THAT would incline you to do business with them.

 

[SoulRaven]

You can lead a horse to water…

 

[offroad]

My implications are cool technology at $50 for wifi phone (which can do a lot more). But agree at $120 that's pretty cool for a complete phone solution.

 

[caseyc]

Who on this planet still uses an iPod??? Kidding!

 

[offroad]

The less than 1% do.

 

[offroad]

It's a backup phone, and a music player with Bluetooth, and a basic internet browser, and a wifi radio. Does all that for less than $50. --- but would like to find the android equivalent.

 

[caseyc]

For internet browsing, get a cheap inexpensive no brand name 7" screen tablet at Frys Electronics. It's hard to browse the internet on a small iPod screen. Even a 7" screen is a bit small but do-able.

Check out the link below for Fry's Electronics tablets between $50 to $100 for the lower brand items. Any of these will browse the internet on a 7" screen, plus play music and movies, and a whole lot more.

http://www.frys.com/search?cat=-68332&pType=pDisplay&fq=100213 1

 

[offroad]

If I go the cheap Android tablet path then will need to get used to the NEVER REPAIR idea on these devices at this price level. Some of these brands have never heard of ever. Will they even work in six months?

 

[SoulRaven]

It's a backup phone, and a music player with Bluetooth, and a basic internet browser, and a wifi radio. Does all that for less than $50. --- but would like to find the android equivalent.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop/cell-phones/samsung-galaxy-reverb-phone/features/

 

[offroad]

No contract on those virgins. Nice. New warranty at least I hope.

 

[SoulRaven]

I bought one much like this model 14 months ago for $49 and it still works 100%.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop/cell-phones/lg-optimus-elite-phone/features/

I used it so hard I had to replace the battery streaming BBC6 from the UK all day. http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music

Buy a 64 gig micro card and you are good to go.