| Though the iPad has dominated online discussion and | | | | applications like Skype, Vonage, and Google Voice |
| social media blogs this week, there was one | | | | (which, although is not a VoIP-reliant application, has |
| announcement made at the recent Apple event that | | | | not been allowed on the iPhone since its inception). |
| has been seemingly overlooked. On Wednesday, | | | | Vonage’s debut of their new app — aimed at |
| Apple has changed its strict iPhone developer policies, | | | | customers who make frequent international calls |
| and successfully updated its software development | | | | — has a similar look and function to Google Voice, |
| kit (SDK) to allow VoIP calls to be made through the | | | | sparking the thought that the latter will be available |
| cellular network – not just on WiFi anymore. | | | | to iPhone users in the near future. Apple has faced |
| VoIP, which stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, | | | | scrutiny because of their rejection of Google Voice, |
| refers to a technology enabling digital communication | | | | including an investigation by the FCC in summer 2009. |
| through the Internet, rather than through a traditional | | | | Previously, Apple and AT&T have not allowed VoIP |
| telephone network. | | | | calls to be made over a cell network, citing that the |
| For now, there are only a handful of applications | | | | use of such technology was too draining. Though |
| supported by the change, though the most notable is | | | | AT&T dropped their ban on VoIP in October, it’s |
| the free application, iCall and Fring. Shortly after the | | | | taken Apple a little longer to follow suit. Clearly, Apple |
| announcement was made, the developers of iCall | | | | is now responding to customers, and is finally giving |
| issued a news release detailing the applications new | | | | them what they want. This small and subtle change |
| functions, and why this change is so monumental for | | | | could also be a sign of more major changes to come |
| VoIP technology: “VoIP on the iPhone has been | | | | – such as an end to the iPhone’s exclusivity |
| the source of many debates with companies such as | | | | with AT&T, as well as improved technology and |
| Google being denied access to the platform and the | | | | functionality for the rumored iPhone 4G. As Google |
| FCC inquiring as to the restrictions in the Apple App | | | | Voice grows in popularity with just-as-popular |
| Store; iCall is one of the few VoIP applications that | | | | Android... |
| has been permitted by Apple to operate on the | | | | To read more about VoIP and Apple's iPhone, go to |
| iPhone platform.” | | | | Sparxoo a digital marketing, branding and business |
| The change has opened doors for recognizable | | | | development. |