Global IP Solutions has released an SDK for developers to create Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications for the iPhone. The company says its SDK can be used to create stand alone VoIP applications or integrate VoIP into games, chat programs and even social networking. However, don't downgrade your AT&T talk plan just yet as VoIP only works over Wi-Fi and not the 3G or Edge network.
Truphone was the first, and so far only, iPhone app out of the gate with VoIP, but with Global IP Solutions' SDK, we will probably see an explosion of VoIP uses for the iPhone.
However, VoIP users have been finding ways around Apple's restrictions for some time. The Germany company, Shape, released a Web-based solution for Skype users last year, and jailbroken iPhone's can reportedly use mobile clients like Fring.
But until now VoIP has been restricted to stand alone uses. It will be interesting to see how far game developers take the VoIP possibilities. I don't think we will see an "iPhone Live" environment for gamers any time soon, but with a such a wide range of capability the iPhone might compete with mobile devices like the Nintendo DS or Sony's PSP.
