Broadening the communications possibilities of the popular iPhone, Dutch startup Nimbuzz said today it has added a number of new voice-calling capabilities to its iPhone software application, including the ability to call landlines and mobile phones using Skype-Out.
Calling it “the most comprehensive VoIP application for the iPhone,” the company said the application also offers “Nimbuzz Dial-Up VoIP,” allowing iPhone users without a WiFi connection to make VoIP calls in over 50 countries.
That apparent contradiction in terms, “dial-up VoIP,” means that Nimbuzz users can dial a local access number that then connects to anywhere in the world via Nimbuzz’s VoIP servers. Over Wi-Fi, the caller can use Skype-Out via a number of SIP providers including Gizmo5, Vyke and sipgate. The application already enabled free calls to IM buddies using a Wi-Fi connection.
The company noted that the application is being released after “quite a few rejections with [sic] Apple.” Nimbuzz is one of several startups providing mobile VoIP clients, a list that includes Jajah, Fring, and Skype itself, plus a number of companies that have already flamed out.
Apple this week previewed its software upgrades to the iPhone. More than 1,000 new APIs will shortly be available to developers, including VoIP APIs native to the OS – which will make it much easier to integrate voice calling into data apps and widgets.