Viber is really a well known Voice over internet protocol and totally free texting service about the iOS platform. Actually it’s been installed over 12 million times on Apple’s app online store. The Android version lately finished from beta and it is available these days on the way to the Android Market.
Read onto see things i considered it.
Viber differs from a number of other Voice over internet protocol services for the reason that rather than needing you to produce a new login, it uses your telephone number being an identifier, not whatsoever different to WhatsApp. This could mean needing to hand out your number to individuals.
Once triggered (a procedure that required me a matter of seconds), the application scanned my phonebook and located 12 of my contacts which was also on Viber. The neat factor about Viber may be the application additionally a universal phone dialler, permitting you to definitely dial other none Viber customers on the traditional line.
Viber includes a tabbed based UI suspiciously like the apple iphone phone application. Actually the dialler is really a straight copy from the one about the apple iphone having a different colour plan. You’re able to see all recent and skipped calls (including individuals made via Viber and normal telephone calls).
The contacts tab teaches you contacts which are on Viber in addition to everybody else who isn’t. You are able to pin contacts right into a favourite sub menu. Finally, as Viber will also support free data text messages, there’s another tab for this. Regrettably it only supports fundamental texts. For any more complete free text texting system, I would recommend getting WhatsApp. You are able to enable appear notification for brand new messages.
Viber calls have the freedom because telephone calls are routed through Wi-fi compatability or packet data (GPRS, HSPA etc.). Well, not totally free while you need to purchase an information plan. This really is known as Voice over internet protocol and works not in a different way using their company Voice over internet protocol services like Skype. As Viber is made in the ground-up to operate on mobile data systems, the engineers needed to make certain it doesn’t use more data of computer needs to.
Depending on testing, I discovered that the typical 4 minute Viber calls just uses about 600KB of downloaded data. This isn’t occur stone, because it really is dependent how talkative you’re and network condition. I discovered voice quality to become similar to an ordinary GSM telephone call, even on the 3rd generation network and than Skype. The application helpfully allows you are aware how the network quality is and what to anticipate.
Viber also combines wells using the Android phonebook, permitting you to definitely dial anybody via Viber. If a person isn’t on Viber, a appear notification will state you the user isn’t on Viber and provides an option to create a regular call using your carrier.
I have not extensively tested how much Viber has impacted the battery life on my Galaxy S2, but so far I have not see any dramatic decrease in battery life. Suffice to say I believe it to be negligible and the cost saving associated with using Viber offsets any concern with power usage.
If there is one nitpick I find with Viber is unfortunately I have not seen a way to block calls from other Viber users who happens to have your number. I guess I can’t complain much as this is whole regular phone calls are – you can’t block anyone from calling you if he or she already have your number.
Viber does not bring anything a new comer to the table however it does what it really does perfectly. Once installed the application begins instantly and works without anyone’s knowledge. The main one factor that also gives Skype a small edge is video calling and capability to make Voice over internet protocol to regular telephone calls via SkypeOut. If Viber can integrate similar features and release on more mobile platforms, Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype will begin to resemble a bad mistake.
For me I’m already a convert. Those who I wish to call the majority are already on Viber and that i keep finding more about my phonebook signing up on Viber every single day. It wins on simplicity, simplicity of use and deep integration, as well as for individuals alone, I can’t stop suggesting this.
