An overseas friend uses the Viber app on her iPhone for free VOIP international voice calls and text messages on her smartphone. I installed the free app on my Android phone and tested it. Setup was swift and quality was superb.
I was at the petrol station and the attendant was filling up an almost empty tank with petrol. While waiting, I whipped out my Android phone, searched the Android Market for Viber and installed it. Before the attendant had finished filling up the tank, I was already chatting with my friend in Kuala Lumpur on her iPhone – for free.
Set up was really simple on the Android phone. Once it was downloaded and installed, it gets your permission to access your contacts and sends you a 4-digit access code to activate your account. After that, you’re set to go!
Viber is free and works on the iPhone and Android phones.
The interface looks similar to the usual numeric dialpad with tabs to access recent calls, contacts, messages and more activities such as inviting friends, sharing on Facebook, tweeting etc.
Basically, Viber emulates the usual phone calling and sms usage – everything is based on your regualr phone number.
Viber dialpad on Android phone
Your account id is your phone number. If the party you’re calling has Viber installed on her Android or iPhone, you just dial her usual number, complete with international dialing code, to get connected. Viber is currently only available on the iPhone and Android phones. A BlackBerry version is in the pipeline.
Quality was good. Voice quality was loud and clear, although there was just a split-second lag, which didn’t affect the flow of the conversation in the slightest bit.
If the other party does not have Viber installed yet, the app gives you the option to place a regular call through your carrier.
Hi,
This is a member of the Viber Development Team!
Thank you for your review of Viber. We are very happy to see that so many people worldwide take interest in our application.
I would like to add that we are about to release a new version within the next weeks for Android and iPhone, which contains many new features and voice improvements.
If anyone has any questions/suggestions for Viber, please feel free to write, and we will address them shortly.
Thanks,
Viber.
The review mentioned that a BlackBerry version is in the pipeline. Is this true? If so, when will it be available? I have overseas friends using Viber on Andoid and iPhones that I want to make free international calls to.
Viber’s Blackberry version is in development currently and we’re working hard in order to release it as soon as possible.
For updates about release dates please check our Facebook page.
Thanks,
Viber Team