This method REQUIRES a WiFi connection and jailbroken iPhone!!!
Thanks goes to Unique311 at internettablettalk for first showing me how to do this on the Nokia N800/N810 Internet Tablets. I’m sure others came before him on the PC method. What’s new is it now works on the iPhone.
You don’t need to install Gizmo if you’re using just the iPhone. But free calling from the PC will require the softphone of Gizmo.
The extra step Unique311 shows is adding the gizmo number to each contact in grandcentral. For the iPhone, watch up to 1:32. By the way, you have to enter contacts that you want to call on your iPhone in grandcentral on your PC, and unfortunately that’s still a manual process. Here's Unique311's video:
Click the word “call” next to the phone number. Fring will pop up and ask you to Accept or Decline. Click Accept and your free call is placed. (If you accidentally click the phone number, a black/gray screen pops up with the number and you can Cancel or Call. Cancel this. This is placing your call over the cell/mobile providers network = not free.)
It sounds complicated, but once you get setup and grandcentral bookmarked – it only takes a few seconds to make a call.
Fring is Beta, but it worked well on my one-hour free call from Berlin, Germany to Minnesota last night.
Cheers.
PS: Use the Gizmo softphone (just leave it open when calling from grandcentral) for free PC calls and similar VOIP phones on Windows Mobile and the Nokia Internet Tablets.
Not sure if grandcentral is still invite only, but can we not have a bunch of people begging for invites. Thanks.
Probably a better post for Free Stuff, but thanks, OP.
firegod66
Senior Member
posted: May. 19, 2008 @ 3:25p
Good information, but it seems like you need to unlock your iPhone to do this. You should probably put this in the title, or at least make it more clear in the description.
Personally, I think I'll hold off for a VOIP program to come through official iTunes software channels once the 2.0 firmware lands. Thanks for the tip, though.
firegod66 said: Good information, but it seems like you need to unlock your iPhone to do this. You should probably put this in the title, or at least make it more clear in the description.
Noted and edited.
Regarding free stuff - if it's value is more that $10 then it belongs in this forum. My 1-hour call last night saved me more than that at AT&T roaming rates.
kronus
Ancient Member
posted: May. 19, 2008 @ 3:34p
firegod66 said: Personally, I think I'll hold off for a VOIP program to come through official iTunes software channels I don't see the powers that be allowing that to happen.
kronus said: firegod66 said: Personally, I think I'll hold off for a VOIP program to come through official iTunes software channels I don't see the powers that be allowing that to happen.
bdcook said: kronus said: firegod66 said: Personally, I think I'll hold off for a VOIP program to come through official iTunes software channels I don't see the powers that be allowing that to happen.
Excatly what I was thinking.
Actually, Apple has only said they would limit VOIP over the cellular network and allow it via Wifi.
bdcook said: kronus said: firegod66 said: Personally, I think I'll hold off for a VOIP program to come through official iTunes software channels I don't see the powers that be allowing that to happen.
Excatly what I was thinking.
When they announced the SDK, Steve specifically said that they WOULD allow VOiP apps on the iTunes store.
I mean, its not that big of a deal...if you have an iPhone, when your in a WiFi area, it automatically switches over so you don't use any cellular minutes.
Although for iPod Touch owners, like me, with Wifi only, this may be worth a try. Now all I need is only one of those TouchMods mics....
aphexII said: bdcook said: kronus said: firegod66 said: Personally, I think I'll hold off for a VOIP program to come through official iTunes software channels I don't see the powers that be allowing that to happen.
Excatly what I was thinking.
Actually, Apple has only said they would limit VOIP over the cellular network and allow it via Wifi.
Exactly, and as long as Gizmo or any other SIP program allows the input of the Gizmo account, you can use it for free. Today I think Fring is the only game in town for this. When an "Apple-approved" Sip client comes, if it isn't limited, then this method still applies.
wizecrack
Senior Member
posted: May. 19, 2008 @ 4:22p
Great job. Thanks OP. Worked like a charm to me.
Although I did not have to use the grandcentral login and tap on call to place the call. All I do is use the Fring and use the dialer to dial and it will call numbers immediately.
wizecrack said: Great job. Thanks OP. Worked like a charm to me.
Although I did not have to use the grandcentral login and tap on call to place the call. All I do is use the Fring and use the dialer to dial and it will call numbers immediately.
Thanks,
But that way aren't you paying for your call with your SIP service (i.e Gizmo)? With grandcentral it's free. (I know, because my Gizmo account has no credit).
wizecrack
Senior Member
posted: May. 19, 2008 @ 4:43p
OOPS.
does not work for me right. It calls my home number everytime I try to make a call to someone on my contact list of grandcentral.com/mobile
It is hard to make this work. Can someone help me pleaze.
In your grandcentral account (Accessed on your PC via www.grandcentral.com - not the mobile site) set your contact's settings to use your Gizmo SIP number to call out. You probably have it set to use your home phone.
wizecrack
Senior Member
posted: May. 19, 2008 @ 5:03p
Ok, finally got this to work. I forgot one step of adding Gizmo SIP number to grandcentral which is the heart of this whole thing.
I used grandcentral earlier, though outgoing calls are no problem - incoming calls get an annoying welcome message. The service is also not very reliable, sometimes the inbound calls go to voice mail without the phone ringing at all.
svani said: I used grandcentral earlier, though outgoing calls are no problem - incoming calls get an annoying welcome message. The service is also not very reliable, sometimes the inbound calls go to voice mail without the phone ringing at all.
you can turn on the welcome message if you turn off call screening
EDIT: I meant turn off the welcome message - so:
you can turn off the welcome message if you turn off call screening
gokartsrus said: svani said: I used grandcentral earlier, though outgoing calls are no problem - incoming calls get an annoying welcome message. The service is also not very reliable, sometimes the inbound calls go to voice mail without the phone ringing at all.
you can turn on the welcome message if you turn off call screening
I think svani wants the opposite, i.e., no welcome message
HyperKiwiZero
Senior Member
posted: May. 19, 2008 @ 7:22p
Can't sign up for grandcentral, they're not accepting new members
I must be getting too d*mm old All this hoorah.. for WHAT....? My long distance costs me 3¢ per minute Why bother with workarounds. Have one less Latte per week
Appelski said: I must be getting too d*mm old All this hoorah.. for WHAT....? My long distance costs me 3¢ per minute Why bother with workarounds. Have one less Latte per week
Appelski said: I must be getting too d*mm old All this hoorah.. for WHAT....? My long distance costs me 3¢ per minute Why bother with workarounds. Have one less Latte per week
Does this method work for inbound calls as well? If so, this is potentially hot. Cancel your monthly cell phone plan. Use this at home and at the office (assuming you have wifi at both), and get a T-Mobile or AT&T pay as you go plan for emergency use.
fuffyk
Addicted Member
posted: May. 19, 2008 @ 8:56p
when i press the call button in grancentral mobile website in safari, it doesnt do anything.When i use my pc grandcentral website to call, both iphone fring and gizmo on pc ring. help any one?
Leave that open (Don't "Exit") and click the “Home” button to go back to the Springboard.
It seems like when I click the home button, Fring closes down. When I hit call from Grandcental, it reverts back to my regular T-Mobile. Any ideas what I am doing wrong.
Also, it seems like Grandcentral no longer allowing members to invite new memebers.
fuffyk
Addicted Member
posted: May. 19, 2008 @ 10:40p
Tardy007 said: I then tap on the “Dialer”
Leave that open (Don't "Exit") and click the “Home” button to go back to the Springboard.
It seems like when I click the home button, Fring closes down. When I hit call from Grandcental, it reverts back to my regular T-Mobile. Any ideas what I am doing wrong.
Also, it seems like Grandcentral no longer allowing members to invite new memebers.
u click on call button not the actual digits. fring doesnt closes u can click on its icon and u will see incoming call. i got mine working. my settings were messed up and i guess safari was unable to change them. used my windows mobile 6.1 phone to change settings in grandcentral mobile website.
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