How To Use Your iPod Touch as an iPhone

Virtually indistinguishable at first glance the iPhone and the iPod Touch have but one major difference: the iPhone allows you to make calls. Of course that added bonus comes with a $60 monthly fee and 2 year contract with AT&T. Many of you have probably guessed where this is headed; the iPod Touch’s wi-fi feature to make VoIP calls. nfortunately Apple was one step ahead of the average thinking public and nixed the microphone feature as well. For every great corporate money making scheme there’s an even greater philanthropist mind to bring justice to the masses.

In comes the Touchmod Mic, a simple dongle which attaches to the dock connector port and allows you to plug in a regular 3.5mm headset for use with a regular handsfree headset. Let’s look at the specifics.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

iPod Touch - Surely you must already have one otherwise this article is of very little interest to you.

ZiPhone - A free application which allows you to Jailbreak your iPod Touch. You can download ZiPhone for free at http://www.ziphone.org

TouchMod Microphone - The device costs between $48 and $59 depending on which version you order. You have the choice between the dong connector or the headset. The headset connection will allow you to use the call/hangup and volume features. Order at http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/touchmic.htm

Fring - A free application for mobile phone allowing you to use the popular VoIP software Skype. You can download it at http://www.fring.com. Alternatively you can also download SIP-VoIP which is an independent VoIP application and will require you to register a new account.

The first step is to Jailbreak your iPod Touch. Connect your iPod Touch to your computer and load the ZiPhone application. Click on Jailbreak iTouch on the navigational menu on the left. The process takes approximately 1 minute. It is important that you do not disconnect your iPod Touch during the process. Once the process is complete you will see two new icons; Installer application which will allow you to install 3rd party applications, and a ZiPhone website bookmark which you can remove.

You are now ready to move on to the second step which is to install Fring. To do so:

1. Launch the Installer application

2. Tap Sources - Edit - Add

3. Add http://fring.com/iphone.xml

4. Tap Fring and tap install

5. Run the application and enter your Skype details.

Now that everything is installed all that’s left to do is to connect your TouchMod Microphone and head over to the nearest Starbucks to mooch their wi-fi connection.

You can also purchase Skype credits to add the option of making calls to other cellphones or landlines. This will also give you a phone number for people to reach you. Alternatively you can share this article with all your friends and family equipped with an iPhone or other wi-fi enabled device and reap the benefits of free voIP calling.

Note that this method can also be used with the iPhone. The process is very similar with the only difference being that you need to select “Jailbreak” in the ZiPhone application to Jailbreak your iPhone.

Related Articles