BEST FOR THE iPHONE
TRUPHONE ON THE APPLE iPHONE
Call costs: landlines from 1p/min; mobiles 15p/min Truphone Voip software works on Nokias but comes into its own on Apple’s wi-fi beastie - where the free download and installation is simply a matter of clicking the application in the iTunes store. Open the software with a touch and the screen looks just like the one you’re already using, except it’s greenwith Truphone written on it. There’s nothing new to learn, there are no snags and it’s a very clear tone. You top up your account via the web - look out for a £7.49 deal that buys 1,000 call minutes to the US and Canada at 1p per minute.

Verdict:Easy to install and great call quality. Choose this if you have an iPhone
www.truphone.com

BEST FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING
NIMBUZZ ON THE SONY ERICSSON W950i
Call costs: free but wi-fi and mobile network data charges may apply Nimbuzz, a new service, offers free calls but includes much more than Voip, with instant messaging and group chat from various providers, plus 23 bookmarked social networking sites. But if a mobile network connection rather than wi-fi is used with Nimbuzz you will rack up big bills, unless you’re on an unlimited data plan. Nimbuzz is versatile and works with numeroushandsets, the best having a big, bright screen (like the Sony Ericsson W950i) for viewing sites such as MySpace.
Verdict:You’ll either welcome all the extra bundled bits or greet them with a shudder - this is for the hardcore networker

www.nimbuzz.com

BEST FOR WI-FI ONLY

COMS.NET ON THE NOKIA E90
Call costs: UK landlines from 1p/min; UK mobiles from 10p/min This is a business-targeted application with no extras such as chat or social networking, no 3G, and only phones in the Nokia E-series (such as the E90 Communicator) are officially recommended. Call quality was good (you’re confined to using high-speed wi-fi), and there’s an easy download option available using text messaging. In fact this Voip service will work with most Windows Mobile handsets once you’ve set up and paid into a Coms.net account online.
Verdict:A neat application that helps you keep track of your calls and spending, but a very basic service compared with more consumer-friendly rivals

www.coms.com

BEST FOR EASY INSTALLATION
SKYPE ON THE S2 SKYPEPHONE
Call costs: from free; subscriptions from £2.24/month If you don’t want the hassle of downloading and setting up a Voip service, the S2 Skypephone, exclusive to the 3 mobile network, comes with Skype software preinstalled. Free with a contract on 3 and with Facebook, Windows Live Messenger and Bebo software also in place, it worked straight from the box. The handset had a clear sound over 3’s high-speed HSDPA network (available in most major cities), but wasn’t so good over 3G. Skype offers many monthly plans that include free calls to UK landlines, and to UK mobiles at about 16p a minute.
Verdict:The simplest way to get Voip

www.skype.co.uk

BEST FOR INSTANT MESSAGING
FRING FOR THE NOKIA N95
Fring uses the Nimbuzz model of free calls. However, it is more limited than Nimbuzz, with a focus on instant messaging: Twitter, MSN Messenger, ICQ . . . they’re all there, but if you use more than one, you’ll rue the lack of separate folders for each service’s contacts. The Fring software works on Nokia and Windows Mobile phones, and it automatically logs on to wi-fi hotspots where detected.
Call costs: free but wi-fi and mobile network data charges may apply
Verdict:Easy to use and a genuine money-saver - even on a pay-as-you-go mobile data plan the cost of sending an instant message is minimal.

www.fring.com

JARGON BUSTER

VoipThe routing of a voice call over the internet to a landline or mobile. Voip software encodes your voice as data to send either over wi-fi or your mobile network. Services offering “free” calls may incur charges from your mobile provider, unless you’re on an unlimited data plan

Instant messagingAllows messages to be sent between individuals on same network