Truphone (http://www.truphone.com), a mobile VoIP service, has
integrated AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) into its iPhone and iPod touch
applications. Now customers on both devices can use Truphone to also
instant message their AIM friends via their AIM identity.
Truphone has already integrated Google Talk, Skype, Windows Live
Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger into its applications for these
devices, blending voice and IM across multiple platforms, and
reaching over 800 million addressable accounts for free.
When not in Wi-Fi range, iPhone users can still exchange calls and
messages with Skype and Google Talk users for the cost of a local
call (perator roaming charges will apply if users are abroad), using
the Truphone Anywhere feature. Voice calling will be added to AOL IM,
Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger within months.
In a separate development, Truphone today began accepting PayPal
credit as a method of prepayment for calls out of its network. This
addition makes it easy for people without major credit or debit cards
to benefit from Truphone’s low calling rates to over 200 countries,
says Truphone CEO Geraldine Wilson.
Customers may refill credit to their Truphone accounts via handheld,
web site, or phone. They can also choose to automatically top up when
credit has fallen to a specified level.