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I found the WhatsApp integration the most intriguing part of the announcement. By allowing calls from WhatsApp to also be received, I am assuming they are makin

I found the WhatsApp integration the most intriguing part of the announcement. By allowing calls from WhatsApp to also be received, I am assuming they are making the native calling/iMessaging API available to any iOS application. While messaging with iMessage, Facebook messenger, WhatsApp, etc. can be done over WiFi only, calling is traditionally reliant on a cellular provider. The new iPhone only requires a WiFi network, and with the proliferation of WiFi and the first city-wide networks (e.g. Barcelona), it is possible that in the next decade all communication will be done over the Internet. Also, during a recent trip to Japan I saw an $120 SIM card that gives unlimited Internet access for a year. This works out to $10/month, which is far less than what I pay for Verizon. So in a way this new iPhone may eventually cause cellular networks to primarily become providers of remote Internet access, as telephony shifts to the apps that the local people use to connect with each other.

brobinson 10y ago
>I saw an $120 SIM card that gives unlimited Internet access for a year Do you remember which telecom this was?
- primitivesuave 10y ago
  I went with a Japanese friend to a store called Nojima, which seemed to be the Best Buy equivalent for Japan. There was an entire wall of prepaid SIM cards, and there was a promotion for two 6-month SIM cards for 12,000 yen. I wouldn't have been able to find it had I not been with a Japanese native. I got a 1 month SIM card for 2,200 yen ($22) which still works out to far less than what I pay Verizon. The network name on the top of my iPhone said "docomo".
  - perfectfire 10y ago
    > "docomo" That would be NTT.
davidf18 10y ago
NYC is getting a lot of free WiFi via Google (Alphabet) subsidiary https://www.link.nyc https://www.link.nyc
madeofpalk 10y ago
Yeah, they announced better VoIP calling APIs for iOS 10 earlier this year.
dingo_bat 10y ago
>By allowing calls from WhatsApp to also be received Oh so till now whatsapp calls were android only?
- component 10y ago
  Nope, only FaceTime had the ability to show native call interface. Previously, WhatsApp showed you a notification when you get an incoming call (if app closed / minimized). Seems iOS 10 is allowing apps to take over the screen for calls (just like they did on iOS 9 with reply via notification which was only available on iMessage)

brobinson 10y ago

>I saw an $120 SIM card that gives unlimited Internet access for a year Do you remember which telecom this was?

primitivesuave 10y ago
I went with a Japanese friend to a store called Nojima, which seemed to be the Best Buy equivalent for Japan. There was an entire wall of prepaid SIM cards, and there was a promotion for two 6-month SIM cards for 12,000 yen. I wouldn't have been able to find it had I not been with a Japanese native. I got a 1 month SIM card for 2,200 yen ($22) which still works out to far less than what I pay Verizon. The network name on the top of my iPhone said "docomo".
- perfectfire 10y ago
  > "docomo" That would be NTT.

davidf18 10y ago

NYC is getting a lot of free WiFi via Google (Alphabet) subsidiary https://www.link.nyc https://www.link.nyc

madeofpalk 10y ago

Yeah, they announced better VoIP calling APIs for iOS 10 earlier this year.

dingo_bat 10y ago

>By allowing calls from WhatsApp to also be received Oh so till now whatsapp calls were android only?

component 10y ago
Nope, only FaceTime had the ability to show native call interface. Previously, WhatsApp showed you a notification when you get an incoming call (if app closed / minimized). Seems iOS 10 is allowing apps to take over the screen for calls (just like they did on iOS 9 with reply via notification which was only available on iMessage)