3G VoIP calls supported for iPad

Just the other day we were showing you how the iPad had the green "Press to return to call" bar that the iPhone has. So of course, we were thinking out loud about the possibility of th iPad offering some support for phone calls. The L.A. Times is reporting that Apple has confirmed its support to allow 3G VoIP calls on the iPad, iPod Touch and the iPhone. We recently told you about Apple lifting the restrictions on making 3G VoIP calls on the iPhone. Right now, both iCall and Fring have been approved by the Cupertino based company. One of the most popular VoIP companies, Skype, has an iPhone 3G app ready to go but is just waiting for a few details to get squared away. The company is waiting for Apple to clarify when the new SDK terms ofservice for iPhone OS 3.2 SDK betawill go into effect for current iPhone users who are still bound underthe terms of iPhone OS 3.12 SDK, "As soon as we have that clarification, Skype will submit its application for approval," Skype spokeman Charles Haas wrote.

The iPad's monthly data plans for 3G service do not differentiate between data and voice. Some are taking the iPad's phone abilities to predict that this could be the start of new payment options for cellphone users in which voice and data become interchangeable and users pay one price for both, in effect, ending the current practice of charging for voice based on minutes used. That might really be a stretch, but who knows? In a few years from now, the introduction of the iPad could really prove to be a turning point in how we pay for cellular service.

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source: LATimes via MacRumors