08 February 2007

Mobile VoIP player Truphone has opened its system to free calls to Google Talk, linking IM to VoIP.

Truphone, launched last year (and reviewed here) is free software that turns Wi-Fi-equipped Nokia mobile phones such as the E61, into dual-mode phones that can make cheap calls over the Internet using Wi-Fi.

When Truphone users get within range of a Wi-Fi service, their phone switches over VoIP. They also pop up as "online" to their friends on Google Talk, so it is clear to other people when they can make a free call to them. Calls between the two services use the standard XMPP protocol and are free. Truphone has put a video on YouTube of the service in action