I read about the Line2 app on Yahoo News a few days back and was intrigued by its possibilities. At first, everything about it seemed like it was just another $1 iPhone application. However, as it turned out, it is way more than that.
Line2 gives you a second phone number on your iPhone or iTouch complete with its own contacts list, voice mail etc. The company behind it, Toktumi is confident that early adopters of this app will distribute their Line2 number to business contacts while they distribute their iPhone number to friends and family.
They provide users with an 800 number or users can transfer an existing number. Their software is almost the same as the iphone’s software – same visual interface, voice-mail features etc.
OK, so you’re saying, “Well, OK, I have a second line on my iPhone. What’s the deal?” Here it is:
# 1: Apart from making regular calls on the AT&T services as usual, it is possible to use the Internet to make calls using Line2. So, if a user is in a wireless hot spot, Line2 will use the Internet to make calls instead of AT&T’s network.
#2: Cellphones typically tend to have the worst reception indoors and there where most Wi-Fi tends to be. so, Line2 will actually give you better phone reception indoors.
#3: Line2 can also be run on the iPod Touch. Bear in mind, though, since the Touch is not a cell-phone, it will work as a phone only when you’re in a Wi-Fi hot spot. AT&T does not make a single $ out of this.
#4: What else? There’s more… It turns out that Wi-Fi calls don’t use up any AT&T minutes as these calls are over the Internet and not on AT&T cell-phone channels.
#5: The Line2 service also lets you call overseas phone numbers for 2 to 5 cents a minute to most countries. Calls to the United States from overseas hot spots are free.
#6: Line2 can also place calls over AT&T’s 3G data network, where it’s available and these calls don’t use up any of your monthly voice minutes. what’s also cool is that Line2 switches seamlessly between 3G and Wi-Fi if it enters a hot spot.
#7: If you’re on a call with someone and the two of you are both Line2 subscribers, Line2 kicks you into high audio-quality mode.
#8: Line2 is the first app that can receive incoming calls via either Wi-Fi or cellular voice, so you get the call even if the app isn’t running.
#9: If you’re on a Wi-Fi call and someone calls your regular iPhone number, Line2 will offer the chance to decline the incoming call without losing your Wi-Fi call.
#10: The Line2 service also has neat call-management features, visual voice mail and conference calling with up to 20 other people.
Bonus #11: The Line2 service costs $15 a month (after a 30-day free trial).
Big Con: It’s not possible to send or receive texts over the iPhone.
But, other that that Toktumi offers a whole range of Google Voice-like features like call screening and voice mail messages sent to you as e-mail. Toktumi haven’t dome much marketing to propagate this tool so I’m guessing that they’re hoping for a strong word-of-mouth effect to spread the word about Line2. Bear in mind, that there are many VOIP apps on the iPhone, the reason that Line2 has stood out is precisely because of all the pros outlined above.
A quick caveat: Apple’s rules prohibit App Store programs that look or work too much like the iPhone’s own built-in apps. For example, Apple rejected the Google Voice app because according to Apple it worked by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls. It’s highly possible that Line2 could go that same way or will it? Is this Apple’s way of trying to dominate the digital space – maybe they’ll just buy Line2 sometime in the future. Something to think about.
