Very
good
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Viber : Free Calls & Messages – It's All For Free!
Tested version: 2.1.2.116554
Latest version: 2.1.6.632
Requires Android: from 2.0
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Summary
Mobile phone service providers have been getting a lot of competition of late—WhatsApp and company make sending standard texts and making standards calls look pale in comparison. But the problem is that WhatsApp does not provide a call-making service, and other ‘make calls for free’ apps don’t support texting… Which is where Viber : Free Calls & Messages comes in. The app’s name sounds promising—does it deliver? Find out in today’s review.
Features & Use
Section rating:
Test device: LG Optimus Speed / 2x
Android version: 2.3.4
Mods: Root
When using the app for the first time, you will have make some initial adjustments. First, enter your phone number, which will be used to log you into Viber. You will receive a verification code that you will also have to enter in Viber.
A little peak behind the scenes: I was able to enter a phone number even though the SIM card was in another device. Who cares, you ask? Well, the thing is that the SIM in my Optimus Speed / 2x only supports data connection—but now that Viber is connected to my ‘real’ number, my contacts will still be able to reach me.
A lot of other apps will only accept the number that corresponds to the SIM card in the actual device.
Viber will then compare your address book with a data bank so that you can see which of your contacts are already using Viber. In order to make a Viber call, all you need do is tap on the contact—easy as pie! And it works with both Wi-Fi and 3G data connection.
A connection is established in the blink of any eye, meaning that your contact’s device will start ringing almost instantaneously. The sound quality is nothing to sneeze at, either.
Users have several options whilst making a call: set the microphone to mute, set the call to hand-free talking, or continue the call via GSM (for instances when the data connection isn’t good).
I should also mention that Viber uses a lot of data; this is especially important to know for those of you using 3G—a flatrate would be strongly advisable.
Sending text messages also takes but a millisecond; you can even attach images to messages, though sending videos or other files does not (yet) work.
Pictures can’t be sent straight from the gallery, only via the app itself.
Also, there’s no character limit for sent texts—yay!
You can inform your contacts about Viber via SMS, Facebook. Twitter or email.
On to the settings options: you can activate a pop-up window to notify you about new messages, or to tell you that one of your contacts joined Viber. Activate the Bluetooth option in the settings in order to conduct calls via Bluetooth headset. Lastly, there’s an option for hooking up your Facebook account and Viber, but my jury’s out on what that could be good for.
Bottom line:
Viber : Free Calls & Messages is a great app that provides users with s service that lets them makes calls and send text messages for free—provided that some if not a lot of your contacts are also using Viber. If none of your contacts are using the app it won’t do you much good, so get your friends to download the app if you want to make free calls.
The only thing that’s missing is an option that lets you send video or other files via text message.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
Controls for Viber : Free Calls & Messages are very intuitive, and the assistant that helps you set up the app does a good job. I also quite like the Viber design.
Speed & Stability
Section rating:
Initiating calls using Viber : Free Calls & Messages is done in a jiffy, and text messages are also sent and received very fast. The app itself does very well in this category, too.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
Viber : Free Calls & Messages is completely free of charge and does a great job.
Reviews of this app in other languages
Review "Viber : Free Calls & Messages" from Dec 16, 2011 (Russian)
Review "Viber : Free Calls & Messages" from Nov 8, 2011 (Portuguese)
Review "Viber : Free Calls & Messages" from Nov 4, 2011 (Spanish)
Review "Viber : Free Calls & Messages" from Nov 2, 2011 (German)
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Market Comments
Robert, Apr 18, 2012
No code Its been 3 days and still no code. Ive done everything i could. As far as 'support ticket' is concerned, its useless. Do you have negative ratings here?
C.N.masilamani, Apr 18, 2012
Poor Unable to download itself, then whats the use..? So am stopping dwnlad it.
Jollyb, Apr 18, 2012
Unusable Problema at activation, code sms never arrived. All adress book not visible. Uninstalled. Then everything with contacts ok.
Daniel, Apr 18, 2012
Terrible UX Really love the ability to make calls, but the user experience is absolutely terrible.
Katie, Apr 18, 2012
Omg I love viber its unreal but please please please bring it out on blackberry so I can talk to my friends that have blackberrys !!!!! Nd I know they will all give u 5 stars !!!!!!
Batool, Apr 18, 2012
Needs to have "block" I was actually very glad with this application , until I found that even people you don't know that have viber and added your number randomly to their contact list can can talk to you , and you can't block them , I uninstall it directly after I faced that problem , please fix this , I really was enjoying this application , if this problem was fixed I'll reinstall it .
Tariq, Apr 18, 2012
SGS II Awesome app it was working fine but Bluetooth has stopped working since I upgraded to ICS 4.0. I tried all possible ways but didn't work. Sort this problem out plz.
Mat, Apr 18, 2012
Amazing I've tried a bunch of calling apparently like text free and what not and this is the best by far. Amazing call quality and texting is so tight on this phone. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Vasilis, Apr 18, 2012
Poor app Bad quality voice can't comunicate. They are going to ask for an update to access your info..
Lovish, Apr 18, 2012
Nice 1.. A great app , does right what it says..!! Installing it was a rite choice!!!
Zhu Lee
could anyone share their thoughts on the call quality? especially when you are using 3G? ive tried it on a friend's iphone and it sucked. any other experiences?