Apps for Free

Category(s): Social Networking, Productivity

Average User Rating: 4.0

Number of Users Rating: 118

Current Version's Average User Rating: 4.0

Current Version's Number of Users Rating: 158

Description: Making FREE calls to anywhere in U.S. and Canada just became reality!

Talkatone is a free Google Talk"u2120 and Google Voice"u2120 client with iOS4 backgrounding and local notifications which offers exciting Instant Messenger, Voice Calling over WiFi and 3G, and Location Sharing features. In less technical terms:

"u27a4 Backgrounding and Local Notifications mean the app is always on, so when your friend sends you a message, you'll get it right away (even if Talkatone is in background). Because really, who wants to receive a message about the most exciting game that is on TV right now, only when it is almost over (as push does)?
"u27a4 Voice Calling over WiFi and 3G is, well, just that. Chat with your tech-savvy friends via GTalk about the great restaurant you've found or use Google Voice to call your bank to confirm a credit card charge. Or vice versa - if your bank is fancier than your friends (we hope not).
"u27a4 Location sharing means you can send your actual location to your friends, and those of your friends who are cool (i.e. use this app) can send their location to you. No more wandering around the neighborhood looking for the restaurant where your date is (im)patiently waiting - just share location with each other and get to the exquisite food in a pleasant company in minutes!

A few important things to know:
"u2622 Using Talkatone requires an existing GMail account (Google Apps accounts supported too). You don't need any "special" Talkatone account to use the app.

Some key features:
"u2706 Making calls to regular phones requires an existing Google Voice"u2120 account integrated with Google Talk"u2120 and is available for U.S. and Canada users (Google Talk is available worldwide).
"u27a4 Login using your GMail account directly to Google Servers over a secure connection.
"u27a4 Portrait and Landscape modes supported.
"u27a4 Voice Calls over 3G and WiFi with advanced codecs for superior voice call quality.
"u27a4 Share your location in real time with your peers.
"u27a4 Unique coverflow navigation with support of swipe gestures for quick switching between open windows.
"u27a4 Basic Bluetooth headset support (iPhone only).
"u27a4 Wallpapers in chat


"u2706 To be able to make calls from Talkatone to regular phones:

"u2460 Login to your GMail account on Mac or PC and sign in to chat there
"u2461 Make at least one phone call from there using "Call phone" button. If you don't have "Call phone" you may need to install Google Video chat plugin first.
"u2778 Optionally(U.S. only): To receive your Google Voice calls in Talkatone as VoIP you may login to your Google Voice account and click "Forward to Google Chat".

Google Voice to Google Talk integration is available for all U.S. based GMail accounts and Google Apps accounts transitioned to the "New Architecture".

For international availability of Google Voice and calling rates please contact Google, Inc directly.

"u2706 We do not recommend placing/receiving Google Voice VoIP calls over cellular (3G) networks, please use WiFi if possible.

Limitations of the current version - we work hard to eliminate them, but it just takes time:
* No Video yet.
* No Group chat [yet].
* No dedicated iPad interface [yet].
* We provide only basic VoIP Google Voice calling. For advanced features please use the official Google Voice application.

Disclaimer: Google Talk"u2120 and Google Voice"u2120 services are provided by Google, Inc. TalkMe.IM, Inc is not affiliated with Google, Inc.

"u2706 By using this app over a cellular network (3G/Edge/etc.) you agree to familiarize yourself with your data plan and its restrictions and agree that TalkMe.IM Inc. will not be held liable for any charges, fees or liability imposed by your carrier for using this app over their network.
"u2706 Google Voice"u2120 is a call enhancement service which may not route emergency (911) calls.
"u2622 Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.