Touchmods iPhone VoIP app prompts ’sell-out’ accusations
Posted on February 8th, 2008 in VOIP, hack, iPhone, iPod Touch, third-party software |
Controversy over at Touchmods.net, our favourite iPod Touch VoIP hack site. Marian and the team promised an “XXXL” software announcement at the end of January, stoking the fires of expectation, and this week announced that, following a donated iPhone from French ADSL provider Free.fr, they’ve coded an iPhone VoIP application locked to that ISP’s service. Called Siphon, the app is included as a part of Free’s ADSL package, which of course means you have to live in France to be able to order it. Unsurprisingly, many Touchmods readers are frustrated that a) this is an app for the iPhone, not the iPod Touch and b) the potential userbase is very small; Touchmods promise to release an open version, compatible with iPhones and the Touch and unchained from Free, but that will apparently be “time-limited”.
It’s a tricky line to balance, free software while at the same time asking for donations and doing what amounts to commissioned work for third-parties; there seems to be a pretty even split of commentors baying for blood and those congratulating the team on their achievement. A paid-for version of Siphon is seemingly in the pipeline, but as yet no release date has been suggested.
Where do you stand on the Touchmod’s argument? Let us know in the comments.
Written by: Chris Davies
One Response
I bought the mic, very nice instead I’ll my SIP-VoIP app dosen’t connect, it calls, but with a strange sound. But, useing the mic I can record my voice using VNotes, e.g. the mic works very well.
Regarding the free or not “new” app, I guess they should, firstly, release a worldwide free app, and then create another(s) pay apps under all laws (let’s see if apple approves) and use marketing to achieve consumers. For the step they are now, they should do what was in accord before, a free apps.
Not bad to go for a commercial side, but firstly the homework must be done.