5 Top Call Apps to get the Most Out of your Smart Phone

A smartphone is still a phone, so why not use apps to get the most out of phone calls? These apps will help you keep your call costs low and make complicated tasks like video and conference calling easy.

1. Talkatone: Free VoIP calls

Google Voice by itself isn't VoIP, but it can be with the Talkatone app. This software combines Google Voice with GMail's voice chat capability to make phone calls anywhere without using your minutes, and completely free if you're using your phone's WiFi. This may sound complicated, but Talkatone has simple to understand instructions that guide you through the signup process step by step.

However, the "free" aspect will only last through 2011, as Google has already announced that they'll start charging for the services this app depends on. A pay version of Talkatone is available that eliminates the iAds, although they're hardly intrusive during phonecalls. An Android version of the app will be available in the near future.


2. PowWowNow: Easy conference calling

PowWowNow handles all the back-end set-up for conference calling, letting users schedule calls with the built-in calendar and join conversations at the touch of a button. Calls are routed to a single number, so users only pay call rates for a regular phone call.


3. Skype: Video calling to anyone

With its leadership in voice and video-based calls via computer, it should be no surprise that Skype has made a stellar effort with their smartphone app. Unlike other video apps, Skype's use of existing infrastructure makes this truly cross-platform, allowing you to chat with anyone no matter what device they're using. The service also offers VoIP calls to phones, but unlike Talkatone there is a small fee.


4. Mr. Number: Reverse Phone Look-up

Want to know who called you? Mr. Number can find information on 90% of land line numbers, and about 50% of cell phone numbers. Looking up land line numbers is free, but there is a small fee for looking up cell phone numbers because the company has to pay for cell number directories. If it can't find the number, there's no charge. Phone Numbers and information can be added to your contacts with the touch of a button.

5. Call Cost 2 and CalLog: Track your minutes

While the other four apps are available for several platforms, there isn't a good universal app for call timing. The leading apps for Android and iPhone take very different approaches to this task.

Call Cost 2 for Android automatically tracks your phone call time and can calculate the cost of each call. The cost settings are extensive, letting you input varying charges for hours and marking number that aren't charged under your phone plan. Notifications can also be set up for call length and charges to keep you from overspending.

CalLog for iPhone stores call time information for all of your phone calls. It integrates with Calendar and Maps, letting you see not only who you call, but where you called them from and when. This information can also be exported to plain text or CSV for spreadsheets, which is a major boon to professionals who charge for consulting calls.

Mike

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Hi its Mike. Catch me @thetechlegend