The voice calling app market is increasingly crowded, and with the VoIP app, Talkatone it makes for an interesting addition.
Talkatone is not a new app; it was designed for users to talk easily to anyone around the world for almost for free or at little cost.
Talkatone Pros
Talkatone’s biggest advantage over other apps in the crowded market is that users have the ability to connect with people through other social services. Chatting, calling, and texting, even when others don’t have the app installed. Viber users know they can only do this to those that have the app on their device. This is the same for Skype users that require a Microsoft ID. Therefore, Talkatone for now is the only app that lets users communicate both in-network and out.
Once you install Talkatone to your device, the app will need access to the list of contacts for the functions to be enabled. Your phone and the app share similar interfaces including, Recent menus, Keypad, Favorites, Contacts, and others. You won’t need much assistance when using the app on your mobile device.
Talkatone Cons
It is time-consuming to make calls to others that don’t have Talkatone installed on their device. You will have to activate through your Google account, Google Voice, and be logged in each time to use the app.
Talkatone provides a generic caller ID display for recipients of the placed call. Currently, there is not a caller ID to a specific contact, but instead will display as an unknown user from Escondido, California to the recipient. It is important to alert the recipient that when expecting your call to not be disillusioned by the caller ID displayed location, or hope they will be inclined to receive a call.
You don’t get crystal clear voice quality when you place calls through the app. There have been many mentions from users that they hear noise in the background, calls will breakup or a stutter in their calls. However, if don’t really pay too much attention, then it won’t bother that you much when calling others.
You have to go through the same process of using Google Voice in order to send text messages. It would become a little frustrating if you had to do the same process when placing the call. It can be time-consuming, especially if you add up the time spent entering username and password and the actual message you want to send. You could’ve kills two birds with one stone and sent them an email instead.
You could possibly get distracted by the banner ads at the bottom of the screen. You will notice them from time to time when they do become full screen. However, you can just hit the X and go back to using the app. To upgrade to Talkatone’s ad-free version you can pay $9.99.
Conclusion
For those that don’t want to pay, then you can use the app for free. Using to call to other Talkatone users is free, and you get bonus monthly ten free minutes for users not on the app. It is a great concept for those that are willing to download and try it out, besides it’s free.
