iPhone gets VoIP stacks for apps

GIPS announced Monday it is enabling VoIP applications on the Apple iPhone with GIPS VoiceEngine Mobile. The software will allow developers to integrate voice elements into iPhone applications. 

Dovid Coplon, director of product management, said that GIPS real-time VoIP enables such useful features as live in-game chat and implied that social networking and instant messaging applications could be augmented with the new technology.

"The iPhone is a very interesting platform, and we're excited about the enterprise uses as well as the more obvious gaming and instant messaging possibilities for VoiceEngine Mobile on iPhone," Coplon said.  "It works well with our strategy, which is to leave our programs open for any application customers see fit." 

Coplon had no comment on specific clients for VoiceEngine Mobile, but he alluded that negotiations were underway with some large accounts.

VoiceEngine Mobile will turn voice into IP packets that can easily be transmitted through WiFi, making it easier for applications developers to come to market quickly with integrated VoIP applications, according to a GIPS press release.

Coplon acknowledged that there are many competitors in the VoIP software for iPhone market, such as Russian firm SPIRIT DSP, which also announced an iPhone VoIP platform Monday, TeamSpirit 3.0 VoiceEngine Mobile. But he also noted that GIPS's iLBC codec, a narrowband speech algorithm standard designed to optimize calls made over the Internet, is already embedded in the iPhone, providing a platform for developers seeking to leverage the iPhone's WiFi capabilities.  He said he did not see similar adoption rates from competitors.

"GIPS's online products have been downloaded more than 800 million times," Coplon said. "I think we compete very well, and I don't see anyone stepping up to the plate across multiple platforms like GIPS has."

For more:
-Here is a link to the GIPS press release [1].
-SPIRIT DSP's iPhone VoIP press release [2].

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