About a couple of months back, Yes released the Yes Life for iOS app that allows iPad and iPod touch users to make calls to any number just like they would on a mobile or landline phone.

It’s pretty nifty app. If you have a Yes ID, you can make calls using an iPad or iPod touch. At the same time you can even give your iPhone a second number by using the app. The biggest benefit of the app is you save a bundle when you call Malaysia from overseas using because the app uses the internet to connect you through. Each call using Yes Life from anywhere in the world is treated like a local call and you pay local call rates.

So that’s the gist of Yes Life for iOS. It’s useful but it’s not perfect. Although you can use it with an iPad, the app’s UI is not optimised for the iPad, so it is a bit of chore to use. Sending SMS to multiple numbers is a pain as well because the app only allows you to send one SMS to one number at a time and we really hate that there’s no Bluetooth support especially when using the app with an iPad.

In the US, a company called toktumi has an app for both Android and iOS that is remarkably similar to Yes Life iOS, the app is called Line2. Function wise, Line2 and Yes Life are almost identical to each other. Both apps give you a unique number and both allow you to make phone calls to any number via the internet.

The major difference from the two is the interface. On the iPad, the Line2 interface so much better than Yes Life’s. On top of that, Line2 offers additional features like call forwarding, call waiting and 20-person call conferencing.

Features aside, we can’t help but to wonder how much more compelling the Yes Life can be for iPad users if it looked this good.

Head over to after the jump for an introduction video about Line2.

[Line2 official website]

When Skype 2.0 was announced, many were happy to see that Skype voice calls are allowed over 3G Network. Previously you’re only able to make calls via WiFi. However this voice call over 3G feature was expected to end in August with possibility of Skype offering paid subscription.

Now Skype 2.0 has been updated with the ability to handle VOIP running in the background with iOS4 multi tasking capabilities. It is also interesting to note that voice calls over 3G networks has been extended until end of 2010. After that a “small” monthly fee will be applicable if you wish to continue. No details on the “small” monthly fee yet but for now, enjoy Skype to Skype free calls while you can.

You can download Skype from the AppStore.

[ SOURCE ]

For those who talk a lot over Skype with an iPhone will like this. Its new Skype 2.0 now allows free voice calls over 3G network as opposed previously only available if used over WiFi.

The first version of Skype for iPhone only allowed voice call over WiFi as most telcos are concerned about VOIP usage eating up into their voice calls revenue.

This is certainly a welcomed feature but unfortunately this is a time limited until August where Skype may introduce subscription model for iPhone users

[ Source ].

As predicted, P1 has started its Voice service called WiMAX VOiCE. However this is by special invitation which is sort of a friendly user trial programme.

As an introductory offer, the invited users are given the P30 plan which comes with RM30 worth of talk time at only RM20/month.

The RM20/month fee gives you 150 minutes of calls to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and China which is calculated at 13 sen/ minute. Somehow the numbers don’t add up as 150 minutes of 13 sen/minute calls sum up to RM19.50. Anyway, this makes things more exciting as TM Streamyx Combo Voice add on covers only local domestic calls.  After RM20, all calls are charged at 20 sen/minute.

The device seen above is Greenpacket WA-320 Wireless Access Point with VOIP. From the brochure‘s specification sheet, this does not come with a WiMAX receiver and you would need to plug this to an existing Broadband Modem. It wasn’t mentioned if this can be used with any existing ADSL or 3G Broadband. Considering this is called WiMAX Voice, we would assume that the WA-320 would be act as an add-on to existing DS-300 WiMAX Modems. No details are available if WiMAX Voice is available for the new DV-230 modem.

Currently the site is not live for public viewing yet as other pages are not working. It is highly likely that this will be open to public after the special invited ones had subscribed.

Related Links
Lowyat.net discussion on P1 WiMAX VOiCE
Greenpacket WA-320 Product Info
P1 WiMAX new WiMAX Modem with WiFi and VOIP
P1 WiMAX VOiCE