Viber comes to iPhone dressed as a Skype killer
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Okay, hopefully this caught your attention. There really is no catch – calls between Viber users are free, which means that you end up paying only for data. You still have to try it and see for yourself, but our guess is that the app will end up installed on many smartphones. The app functions in a pretty straightforward way. First you have to authenticate your phone number via an SMS code and then the app syncs up with your contacts and marks the ones using Viber with a small logo. This way you can easily see which ones you can call for free, while for users not on Viber you can send an invitation. But the real game-changer is that even when Viber is not running, you can still get a phone call and it is as simple as a single tap on the “Answer” button that pops up. Free text messaging is also expected down the road, but is not yet available.
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Viber vs Skype vs FaceTime |
One future problem might turn to be servers, but iMesh, creators of Viber, were confident that their dozens of servers across the globe will manage the load. How is this making any profit for the company? We are yet to see, but for the time being there are no ads in your Phone app, so you can go ahead and give it a spin! Let us know if you liked it in the comments.
source: Viber via TechCrunch
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12 Comments
1. me (unregistered) posted on 23 Feb 2011, 07:39 0 0
this is THE killer App of 2011. It's ease of use and iPhone integration make htis an amazing App to use. Plus the advantages over Skype mean you don't have to have the App running to receive a call. A friend of mine with an iPod (not phone) spent hours chatting to me from Argentina to UK over wi-fi. What an Amazing and Liberating App.
Martin Bell
2. Cx (unregistered) posted on 11 Mar 2011, 15:20 0 0
It just doesn't work, though. At all. Over any network, at any speed. Numerous attempted calls, maybe 3 clear words.
I think Skype built VIber to show how good Skype actually is.
3. Reader1 (unregistered) posted on 30 Apr 2011, 03:14 0 0
Viber DOES work and works seamlessly on my I phone4. And it DOES send texts free, unlike your review suggests.
4. G (unregistered) posted on 08 Jul 2011, 08:36 0 0
I got charged for 2 overseas calls made through Viber. Contacted Viber customer service support and they insisted it's not their problem even though the calls show up on my Viber call log. They have not responded to further emails and I have deleted this app.
5. feaster (unregistered) posted on 10 Jul 2011, 08:58 0 0
I like it when it works, but most of my calls are dropped or not clear. It will, or may be good when and if they get to the point when the calls can be handled, but...for now from Texas or New York, I get maybe 10% of my calls to Europe completed. Not a great percentage. Then...I turn on Skpe and make the call.
6. James K (unregistered) posted on 07 Aug 2011, 21:12 0 0
Viber is brilliant. I have no need for What's App, Google Voice or Skype any longer. For all of you making intl' calls to phones without Viber accounts, wake-up!!!!! Your friend needs to have Viber also, otherwise you are making a normal call with normal charges. So, you both need Viber for it to be FREE!!!!
7. Peddapee (unregistered) posted on 23 Aug 2011, 05:25 0 0
Skype require less bandwith to make a call and that what counts if it is good voice app. you are looking for!
8. flossy (unregistered) posted on 23 Aug 2011, 20:44 0 0
Question:: I am in Australia & I understand that calls between friends who have viber are free ,have even tried it.
If my husband & I go overseas with an i-phone each & viber installed is it free if we call each other OR do all these regular roaming fees come into play
10. ad (unregistered) posted on 12 Sep 2011, 17:52 0 0
Unless you are both connected to free wifi you will pay data charges. Data roaming charges cost the bomb! For OS travel your best bet is to have an unlocked phone and buy a budget SIM - only worthwhile if you are staying in one place for a while.
9. Caution (unregistered) posted on 01 Sep 2011, 18:53 0 0
It works well on my iphone4 but one thing to remember is when using make sure your phone plan has enough internet usage (3G) or you could end up paying through your provider, there is another app that can be down loaded that monitors usage depending on which provided you are with.
11. iFX (unregistered) posted on 16 Sep 2011, 01:43 0 0
Hmmmm... I just got an sms message from a friend telling me to install this app - so am now trying to work out what the catch is ;)
They don't charge for it... the calls to other users are free... hmmm
Ahh... but there's no usernames and passwords - it uses your phone numbers and your friends phone numbers... so THAT must be it, right?
A good way for them to collect everyone's confirmed phone numbers, including all their contacts in their phones... am I right? and if so, does it matter? not sure...
What are your thoughts?
12. BrittC posted on 20 Jun 2012, 10:53 0 0
I just downloaded the app for Viber and plan on making calls to Portugal where my friends there too have Viber on their phones. If I am using wi-fi, I will pay absolutely nothing right? If I don't use wi-fi I obviously will be using up my data, correct?
