The free VOIP calling app Viber moved to Android this morning. It had been available only to iOS devices in the past, but the Android launch means it’s time for me to give it a spin. But, besides a name that sounds like an “adult novelty toy”, what is Viber?
Viber is based on a simple concept. My phone has an internet connection. I can make calls through my home PC using services like Skype and Google Voice, without any type of calling plan. Why can’t I use my phone’s internet connection to do the same thing?
Skype and Google Voice let you make calls from your mobile devices, but they use up your minutes to do it. That takes away a lot of the advantage you’d hope to get out of a VOIP service in the first place. GrooVeIP allows you to make Google Voice calls over your data connection, but it’s a paid app. A few apps, like Fring, let you make free voice calls to other users, but you need to have the user’s username.
Viber wants to make this process free and simple. When you install the app, Viber asks for your phone number. That becomes your identifying information for all Viber users. If your number is in another Viber user’s contacts, you’re now automatically listed as a fellow Viber user. The app scans your contacts to see which of your friends are on the service, and you receive a notification any time someone you know installs it. You can then call or text each other for free, without using your plan minutes or text messages. It all takes place over your data connection, whether 3G, 4G, or even WiFi.
But Viber didn’t stop there. Simplicity is the name of the game here, so the Viber app can replace your default contacts and dialer applications. If you dial the number of a non-Viber user, it automatically switches over and makes a normal voice call using your carrier. No need to figure out who has what app before you start dialing.
Call quality is, not surprisingly, dependent on the quality of your internet connection. A decent connection with 3G gives you good call quality. If your reception is problematic, so is your call (to an even greater degree than typical voice calling). In particular, I notice that what you hear is heavily affected by your signal quality, but what you say seems to go out fine no matter what. I’ve also been having some problems with Bluetooth headsets if either end of the call has bad reception, though it worked perfectly over WiFi. Interestingly, when on WiFi, the call quality is actually better than a typical cellphone call. That was a Viber claim I was highly skeptical of when I saw it, but they are absolutely right. Calls sound a bit distant, but the volume and clarity are excellent. It sounds kind of like using the world’s greatest speakerphone.
My favorite feature so far, though, is one Viber doesn’t even make a big deal out of and it’s these three words: Free. International. Calling. If you know anyone overseas with an Android or iOS device, get them to install Viber and you can call them at their regular cellphone number absolutely free over your data connection. That blows the offerings from Skype and Google Voice right out of the water.
Viber already has millions of users, but getting your friends to sign up for it is simple as can be. You can post about the service on Facebook or Twitter, or send a text message about it directly from the app.
Android and iOS users can install Viber via their respective markets now. Viber’s Blackberry app is coming soon, and Symbian, Windows Phone, and Desktop versions are all in development. Check out the video and then go try it out. As for me, I think I just found a permanent addition to my app collection.
Very cool app – especially for someone that hates paying for texting :). Thanks for the recommendation!