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Thursday 1 August 2013

Swisscom iO - App Review



Oh no! Not another App that promises free phone calls... you can't be blamed for your reaction but, this one has a USP.

Have you ever thought that you called someone and gave them a message then, couldn't find the evidence on your phone? You know you did it but you can't 'prove' it. And then you accidentally realise that you didn't actually speak with them, you sent them a text message.

Swisscom iO keeps your calls and text messages in the same place; this is an enormous plus.

You do not need to have a Swisscom subscription to use the service.

Now for the ACIDS test:

Aesthetics
The basic screen gives you access to four areas;

Contacts
This lists your contacts from your address book. It is a neat listing with photographs, where available, and colour graduated boxes in other cases. As expected, there is a search box to quickly find a contact, or an alphabetical tab. Existing contacts who are using iO also have the iO logo on their details.

You can directly dial contacts from here, as well as inviting them to join iO.

History
This is what really distinguishes this App. It lists all the people with whom you have recently interacted. Picking any of these brings up a listing of all calls (in and out) as well as the duration, as well as the details of all text messages.

Keypad
This doesn't really need explaining. Again though there is a very useful feature of entering a number (whether or not you actually dial it), and then saving the number either to an existing or a new contact; very useful.

MyiO
This is where you add your picture, get a password, and check on the ts & cs. Your phone number is also automatically stored here so, for those who can't remember their own number, a useful place to be able to easily find it.

Cost
The App is free, as are all calls, texts and photos to other Swisscom iO users. Texts can be sent anywhere in the world free, even if the recipient does not have iO.

You can purchase additional subscriptions to enable you to call non-iO users who are not in Switzerland.

Indispensability
Today, a mobile phone is well-nigh indispensable, and the ability to send/receive text messages is nearly as much of an imperative. What this App does so well is to combine the two.

Dependability
The quality of call when tested was good. Many thanks to Rachael fro helping test this on an international basis!

Security
Swisscom state that they do not store your address book, and that all date (presumably except the address book) is stored securely in Switzerland, in accordance with Swisscom standards.

ACIDS Test Rating:

The only downside is the unfortunate name!

To find out how the ACIDS Test works, click here.


You can get Swisscom iO here and support for the App here.


2 comments:

  1. The developer advises that there has been an update to version 1.1.0 of the App.

    This includes the following enhancements and alterations:

    - Send contacts and current location
    - New tones for incoming messages (within the app)
    - Message time stamps are refreshed every 5 minutes (previously every 15 minutes)
    - Individual messages can now be deleted
    - Pure Voice-over-IP calls are encrypted

    ReplyDelete
  2. The developer advises that there has been an update to version 1.2.0 of the App.

    This includes the following enhancements and alterations:

    NEW: Invite up to 50 friends to a group chat.
    The app automatically shows which of your contacts have installed iO.
    Additionally we fixed many minor bugs.
    Thanks a lot for all your support and feedback – we stay tuned!

    ReplyDelete

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