Initially, T-Mobile’s Bobsled brand simply offered the way to VoIP call your Facebook friends without cost but with that angle sufficiently covered , it has moved directly to wider access. Starting today it supports dialing out to mobile and landline numbers within the US, Canada or Puerto Rico right from their desktop browser. Also new are free apps for Android and iOS devices, however those are still limited to calling your Facebook friends (and enemies.) Still not quite sure what all this newfangled internet telephone business is? Look at the video demo above and press release embedded after the break.
Bobsled by T-Mobile Extends Free Calling to the internet, Android and iOS
New Dial-Out Functionality Allows Bobsled Users to put Free VoIP Calls to Mobile and Landline Numbers from Around the Web
BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–T-Mobile today announced enhanced and expanded functionality for its Bobsled™ by T-Mobile® service. The recent Bobsled functionality provides users with a simple, seamless approach to call Facebook friends from most desktop browsers, Android™-powered smartphones and tablets, and Apple® iOS devices, including iPhones®, iPads® and iPod Touch® products. Further, Bobsled provides users with free calling to any mobile or landline phone number within the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico from inside or outside the U.S. from their desktop browser.
“Earlier this year we brought voice to social networking with Bobsled for Facebook. Now we’re expanding the capabilities of Bobsled, allowing users to simply communicate with friends from anywhere on the internet or even dial out at no cost to mobile and landline numbers,” said Brad Duea, senior vp, T-Mobile USA. “Users may also now jump on Bobsled from Android phones and tablets in addition to from Apple iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch. Bobsled allows users to be heard across borders, websites, carriers and platforms.”
Because the way people communicate transcends networks and devices, Bobsled provides users with new easy methods to connect no matter where they’re online, the format in their message or what device they’re using:
Bobsled at the Web
Bobsled is out there for many Internet browsers. Once signed into Bobsled on their browser, users can call, message or voice message with their Facebook friends at any time while using their Mac or PC. Bobsled eliminates the will for dialing – you just click a friend’s name to begin the conversation. There is no should remember screen names or to input numbers. Users simply click the telephone icon to initiate a decision with family and friends or message via Facebook Chat.
Free Calling to Mobile and Landline Numbers
Bobsled users can now call any mobile or landline number within the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico at no cost. Users simply open Bobsled from their browser on a Mac or PC and dial a number of using an open Internet connection from anywhere on this planet. Also, users can add mobile or landline numbers to their existing Facebook friends.
Bobsled for Apple iOS and Android Devices
Bobsled is now available from the Apple App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, and from the Android Market™ for Android smartphones and tablets. Bobsled allows users to name or voice message their Facebook friends from their mobile device without spending a dime.
Bobsled’s browser and mobile applications are powered by Vivox Inc. Together, T-Mobile and Vivox, with its compelling VoiceEverywhere technology, are ushering in a brand new era of voice communications – online, at the go, virtually wherever and however users like to converse.
“Vivox’s partnership with T-Mobile and the Bobsled product is a stellar example of evolving the manner we communicate,” said Rob Seaver, founder and CEO, Vivox. “As evidenced by Bobsled, VoiceEverywhere creates massively scalable conversations across devices, platforms and experiences and makes digital communication more seamless and natural, whatever the context or location.”
For additional info on Bobsled by T-Mobile and to put in Bobsled, please visit www.bobsled.com.
Apple, iPhone, iPad, iPod and iPod Touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., and aren’t products sold by T-Mobile USA, Inc. Mention of those devices doesn’t suggest endorsement of Bobsled by Apple Inc. Carriers’ standard data charges may apply.
About T-Mobile USA:
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCQX: DTEGY). By the top of the second one quarter of 2011, approximately 128 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of the Deutsche Telekom group – 33.6 million by T-Mobile USA – all via a standard technology platform in keeping with GSM and UMTS and additionally HSPA+ 21/HSPA+ 42. T-Mobile USA’s wireless services help empower people to connect with individuals who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the many highest in several regions inside the U.S. in wireless customer care and make contact with quality. For additional info, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche Telekom, please visit www.telekom.de/investor-relations.
About Vivox
Vivox, provider of VoiceEverywhereTM, enables integrated digital conversations, anytime, anywhere, and on any device. An industry pioneer in integrated voice services, Vivox now serves greater than 60 million users in 180+ countries – exchanging greater than 3 billion voice minutes every month. Vivox VoiceEverywhere makes digital communication more seamless and natural, whatever the context or location. With Vivox, businesses can quickly engage users within their communities and extend their brand beyond traditional boundaries, ultimately inspiring conversations, wherever and whenever people want. Vivox’s partners currently include T-Mobile, CCP Games, Linden Labs, Nexon, Sony Online Entertainment, Wargaming.net and others. For additional information, visit www.vivox.com.
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