I probably shouldn’t be sharing this because maybe if too many people start doing it Apple will make it not work anymore, but it’s just too good to keep inside.
As you may know, I’m back in the USA for a few weeks over the holidays and such. Well obviously, living abroad I haven’t kept up any sort of cellphone plan here in the States. I do, however, have an iPod Touch (4th Generation) and so I figured there must be some way to use it as a phone, right?
Right!
Using only free tools I am able to call and text any phone in the US or Canada for free from my iPod (anywhere where I get wireless internet). Here’s how it works.
First you need a Google account. If you have Gmail then you’re set. Next, go to Google Voice. You should be able to login with your Google account and and get a free number. I’m pretty sure they’re past beta and you no longer need an invite.
It might ask you to setup a phone to ring when someone calls your Google voice number. Just cancel that, you don’t need to.
If you are only interested in texting then get the Google Voice app and you’re done.
To add the calling (and receiving calls) features go to the settings option on the Google Voice homepage and click “Voice Options.” Now check off the box that says “Google Chat” under the “Forwards To” option. It should show your Gmail address underneath.
Finally, download the Talkatone app for your iPod. Login with your Google account. Talkatone gives you the option to call using Gchat’s Call Phones option (which is currently free within the US and Canada) and all the calls will go through your Google Voice number. Pretty freaking sweet, if you ask me.
To be able to receive calls, have people ring your Google Voice number and make sure Talkatone is running or running in the background (i.e. if you open the app and then click the home button or sleep button).
So there you have it, your iPod Touch can be a WiFi phone that calls and texts for free.
I haven’t tested compatibility with any iPod other than my 4th Generation one, but I assume any one with a microphone should work.
