San Francisco-based Toktumi, Inc., a provider of affordable hosted IP PBX phone services for small or home-based businesses (see our 2009 review here), yesterday announced that the VoIP-enabled version of its calling application, Line2, Version 2.0, has been approved by Apple and is now available on iTunes to new and existing customers.
Toktumi’s Founder and CEO Peter Sisson, commented: “Line2 is a landmark application that will appeal to consumers and business people alike. For the first time, you can use your iPhone the same way—with the same number—whether placing or receiving calls over Wi-Fi, 3G, or cellular voice networks. If you live or work in a dead cell zone, or just want to reduce your cell bill, you are going to want Line2.”
Mr. Sisson addsed, “In the wake of the news that Verizon Wireless plans to put a crippled version of Skype on its phones—one that will not work over Wi-Fi—Line2 catapults AT&T to the front of the pack. The Line2 service is a huge win for AT&T&’s iPhone customers, and demonstrates both Apple&’s and AT&T’s commitment to supporting next generation communications tools.”
According to Sisson, Line2’s Wi-Fi capabilities allow international travelers to place and receive calls while overseas without incurring voice or data roaming charges. Using Line2, Calls to any number back home are essentially free, as are calls to other Line2 users, regardless of location. Outbound calls to international numbers start at $0.02 per minute, whether calling from home or abroad.
Sisson characterized Line2 as combining the best elements of Skype and Google Voice—with the addition of business grade features, reliability, and live customer support. “There is no other calling app available on the iPhone or any other mobile device with the flexibility and features offered by Line2.”
The application detects the best available network based on customer preferences and location and automatically receives calls over that network. Advanced PBX-style calling features include call waiting, call transfer, and conferences for up to 20 people. Wi-Fi call quality is better than cellular with Line2, according to the company, and Wi-Fi calls between two Line2 customers use 16-bit HD audio for crystal clear sound quality that is stunning to experience.
Line2 functions exactly like a second line on the iPhone, providing two numbers on one phone, each with its own voicemail, caller ID, and contacts. This lets business carry one phone—instead of two: one for personal calls and one for work. Each Line2 number integrates with Toktumi’s hosted PBX platform, providing office phone features like auto-attendant (“Press 1 for…”), call screening, caller-specific call forwarding, after-hours settings, voicemail by e-mail, and PC-based calling, all integrated with the Line2 application. You can get just one line or set up an entire office, with all lines billed to one account and managed centrally.
Line2 is a $0.99 download that comes with 30 days of free service. After that, service costs just $14.95/month for unlimited US/Canada calling and access to all features.
