Vonage has decided to take on Microsoft's Skype VOIP business head on. It recently announced it has launched its first full fleged mobile app for iOS and Android users. The free app allows for up to 3,000 free minutes of calls per month to any mobile and landline phone in the US, Puerto Rico and Canada, allthough that deal is for a "limited time". Vonage also claims that the app's international call rates are not only 70 percent less than major phone carriers but 30 percent less than what Skype charges.
The app itself works on WiFi, 3G and 4G connections and lets users with smartphones use the app with their phone’s already established mobile number as well as all of their mobile contacts. That certainly should save a little time in terms of getting started with the Vonage app.
Vonage doesn't require that app users be previous Vonage customers. However, the company did say that all calls to Vonage home or business lines will be free for app users.
The fact that Vonage is promoting its app and its international call rates over that of Skype is an interesting marketing ploy. Skype was officially acquired by Microsoft in October for a cool $12.5 billion but so far Microsoft and Skype haven't done much in terms of offering new and improved Skype services. Indeed, Windows Phone users are still waiting for their own Skype app to be released.
Additionally, Vonage previously released a mobile app called "Extensions" that allowed its home users to dial to international numbers via their Android phone. Today's release of Vonage Mobile is a more full featured app that doesn't require a previous subscription to Vonage.
You can take a look at the new app by vising this link here or by clicking the banner below.
Disclaimer: Neowin and Vonage have previously collaborated on product promotion such as the iPad 2 giveaway and continue our relationship going forward.
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