There is only one difference between an iPod touch and an iPhone: You cannot make calls from an iPod touch. There is a way you can adapt your iPod touch to make calls without the extra expense and call packages involved with iPhone. It is fairly simple but requires a few extra components. First you will need to ‘jailbreak’ your iPod touch so that it has a microphone to enable speech communication. Of course regardless of whether you have the touch or the pod, you should always have email protection software. There is a low-cost device called a Touchmod microphone that simply plugs into your device’s sync port and transforms it into a communication device.
Once you have ‘jailbroken’ your iPod touch you need a SIP-VOIP program to facilitate communication. The installation program for the SIP-VOIP program you chose is automatically installed on your device when you attach the Touchmod. You will have to add the proper Touchmod destination to the installer application. Simply launch the installer and tap on ‘edit’. From there add and type in http://touchmods.net/rep.xml. When you click ‘ok’ Touchmod will automatically refresh with the appropriate repository available.
After that when you start your installer application the Touchmod SIP-VOIP is available and can be started by tapping the install tab. There are many SIP-VOIP services to choose from and even some free ones if you want to save even more money and just need to have call functions available for emergency or occasional use.
You will need to register with the service you choose and enter your information into the settings area of the SIP-VOIP application on your phone. This will enable you to make outgoing calls although it is limited to that and you will not be able to receive in-coming calls unless you also register with a hosted exchange company that will provide you with an incoming number and SIP service. There are free services available and set up is easy enough but they have some limitations.
This method is not intended to replace full-service cell phone usage and you won’t have all the bells and whistles like special ringtones, cameras, texting, and such as you would with an iPhone. It gives you a good emergency or special use phone when needed though without extra charges.
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