CallByText is a simple but brilliant web service that helps you place calls in a unique way. You start by registering for an account on the website and specifying your phone number, Skype username, and password. With your account set up, you can text the recipient’s phone number to CallByText; it then initiates a Skype conference call between your phone and the number you called to. You are connected to the service over your carrier hence no Internet is required. Regular Skype charges are applied to your account without CallByText charging anything extra.

Although CallByText has a dedicated application for iPhone, the service can be used by any type of phone since it requires only the ability to send text messages and receive calls.

Demo video:

Features:

• A user friendly web service.
• Lets you place calls through Skype by texting the numbers.
• Does not require internet.
• Can be taken advantage of by any phone that supports text messaging.
• Has a dedicated application for iPhone.
• Similar tool: Ring2Skype.

Check out CallByText @ www.callbytext.com (by MOin from ThumbPress)

As you can see in the above screenshots, the tool has a neat user interface. I didn’t get a chance to try it, but if it works, it’d be a pretty good deal for iPhone users, provided their service provider doesn’t charge exorbitant 3G rates.

Features

• iPhone app to make free calls
• Calls can be made over 3G or Wi-Fi
• No other charges except for data charges
• Call anyone with a phone number (and who has Viber) for free

Check out Viber @ www.viber.com (By Abhijeet from Guiding Tech)

Anybody already familiar with Chatroulette already knows how iChatr works. When you install the app on your iPhone 4, it can be used to randomly video chat with other iPhone 4 owners over Wi-Fi. When you get connected to an iPhone 4 user and want to move on, you can swipe the person and the next random person will be connected. To enable audio, you have to wear earphones / headphones so that you can listen without holding the phone up to your ear.

Features:

• iPhone based random chat.
• Has a very small download size (0.5 MB).
• Randomly connects you with other iPhone 4 owners to have video conversations.
• Lets you find another person randomly in case you do not want to chat with the current person.
• Also read related articles: MakeUseOf Your iPhone: Palringo Instant Messenger and WhatsApp ““ The Perfect iPhone Messenger App.

Check out iChatr @ iChatr for iPhone (via Gizmodo) (by MOin from ThumbPress)

Suppose you are living in New York and you place a call to Moscow, while paying the New York to New York call rates. This is exactly what Rebtel does.

Rebtel is a cellphone app for Android phones. When you place an international call through your cellphone, Rebtel intervenes and finds a local number which can route your call. The only condition is that the number you call must also be on an Android phone that has Rebtel installed. The app works on your regular phone carrier’s service ““ no internet connections are required.

Features:

• Free Android to Android international calling
• Very simple to use.
• Uses advanced call routing to place international calls through local phone numbers.
• Lets you make international phone calls on local call rates.
• Works only for Android phone owners placing calls to Android phones.
• You do not need to launch the app ““ it works automatically.
• Similar tools: Fring, dukaDIAL, All Free Calls, Talkster, EvaPhone, CallingAmerica, Foonz, FlashPhone, ViaTalkFree and TruPhone.
• Also read related articles:
  The Best Sites For Making International Calls
  6 must-know Apps to make FREE Group Conference Calls

Check out Rebtel @ www.rebtel.com/en/Services/android or search for the app at the Android Marketplace. (via LifeHacker)

As it mentions, “online IMVOCAL users can be reached on their IMs from any phone, anywhere in the
US, UK, France, Australia, Singapore and Japan.”

Update: The service has been discontinued. Another similar tool you can try is Numbr.

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up with IMVocal (free).
2. Choose a 9 digit unique internet call-in indentifier (your vocal id).
3. Accept request to add IMVocal as a buddy in your IM client (Yahoo, Gtalk, AIM or MSN ).
4. A user can call you by dialling IMVocal’s country specific toll free no. followed by your vocal id.
5. You receive an incoming call on your IM. Simply accept it and start talking.
6. The caller can leave you a voicemail too if your are not online.

Feature overview:

• Get an internet phone number for your IM
• Currently supports GTalk, Yahoo, MSN and AOL more will be added.
• Supported countries: US, UK, Australia, Singapore, Japan.
• Display you number without revealing your identity.
• Get instant message and free voicemail alerts.

Check out IMVocal @ www.imvocal.com (Contributed by Abhijeet from Jeet Blog)

Update: The service has been discontinued. Another similar tool you can try is Numbr.

Before you can make your first free call go to PokeTalk website and signup. Once you have registered enter your phone number and the number you wish to call. Click on the “Call” button and wait for your phone to ring. When you answer it PokeTalk will connect you with the person you called.

Features:

• Free international calling to 55 countries worldwide.
• You can call both mobile and regular numbers.
• Each call is limited to 10 minutes.
• No headphones and mic needed.
• Other sites to make free long distance calls: FreeRinger and DukaUS.

For more info watch demo video below:

Check out PokeTalk @ www.poketalk.com

- (1) Enter your friend’s phone number (incl. a country code) and press “CALL” button.
- (2) Ask your friend to call you back at the number displayed on their phone (you have 10 seconds).
- (3) Stay on the line and wait for your friend o dail he number and join you back on the call.

Features:

• Make free mobile and landline calls to 30+ countries worldwide.
• Make as many calls as you need. No restrictions.
• Recipients always asked to dial local numbers (same as calling a place in their neighborhood)
• See a list of supported countries here.
• Embed FreeRinger on your blog or website and allow your visitors to make free calls.
• Similar website: Evaphone.

You can try FreeRinger below.

Check out FreeRinger @ www.freeringer.biz

How does it work?

• Sign-up for a user account and verify your email address.
• Enter your phone and the phone number of the person you want to talk to.
• Click on “Start Your Call”.
• Wait for your phone to ring.

Features:

• Make free landline calls within US and Canada.
• Make as many free calls as you like.
• Add and manage your contacts list online.
• View your call history.
• Note: Calls to and from mobile phones are not free.

As mentioned above, dukaDIAL works only for landline numbers within United Stated and Canada. If you’re looking for similar web app that also works for mobile phones see MakeUseOf free calling category.

Check out ducaDIAL @ labs.jaduka.com/dukaDial

Apart from ducaDIAL Jaduka Labs got a number of other cool web apps you might be interested in:

Earthcaller – Make free calls to US and Canada landlines from your computer.

dukaBUZZ – Enable your site visitors to leave you audio messages.

duhBATE – Create your own presidential duhBATE by adding your voice to your favorite politician and then share it with your friends.

dukaLINK – Create HTML hyperlinks that you can post on Craig’s List, Facebook, your blog, or emails. When users click your dukaLINK, they’re prompted to submit their phone number to automatically initiate a free phone call to you.

There are two ways to use Dexrex.

(1) Firstly, it’s an online instant messenger for AIM, GTalk, WLM / MSN, Yahoo and Skype. Simply login using your username and pass and you will be able to chat with your buddies directly from the browser window.

(2) Alternatively, you can download the Dexrex addon for your chat program. In the latter case, Dexter automatically monitors your chat conversations and stores them in your online account. Currently it offers addons for AIM, Pidgin and Skype.

Features:

• Store, search, share, and access your chat history whenever and wherever you want.
• Upload and export existing conversations to Dexter.
• Supported chat clients: AIM, Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Yahoo! Messenger, Pidgin, Trillian, Digsby, Miranda, Instantbird, Meca, Mercury, Emesene, and MSN.
• Login and chat with contacts online using your existing username and pass.
• Blackberry usres: Store your SMS messages online.
• And more … For more details check out the Dexrex demo video below.

Dexrex Intro Video

Check out Dexrex @ www.dexrex.com

Features:

• Login to your favorite messenger and chat with friends from your mobile phone.
• Supported IM programs: MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo and GTalk.
• No registration or sign up required. You can use your existing IM username and pass.
• Works with every mobile phone that has internet capability.

As usual, if you don’t have an unlimited data plan, make sure to check with your mobile carrier regarding the data usage fees.

Visit Heysan@ www.heysan.com