If you missed it, be sure to check out my post, Tubaloo: Android VoIP via 3G. There you'll find more general information about the app and a quick bit of context.

I heard about Tubaloo several months ago, but it wasn't until just recently that I got my hands on an early version of droiddialer.apk. While I did receive one update during the review period, Tubaloo is still in alpha, and my testing for this post was based on that. I did encounter some bugs during my time with Tubaloo, which I reported. I've seen issues resolved pretty quickly, and I expect much improvement by the time we see a release candidate. Private Beta and Public Beta are currently on the horizon.

This is not so much a review of the software as it is a walk-through of the interface and features. Maybe I'll bring this one back for a battle of Android VoIP programs. As long as the bugs are resolved, I think Tubaloo will have a major leg up over the competition, if only for its 3G support.

Tubaloo integrates itself into your dialer so that you can continue using your phone as usual while the app decides how each call should be routed. It offers a sort of automated VoIP. The user doesn't need to worry about call routing, and the only differences one notices about the initiation of a VoIP call routed by Tubaloo is the blue icon that pops up in the notifications bar, the blue dialing screen, and the new active call screen (first two images below). This hands-off routing is possible because of Tubaloo's MINU$ technology, which stands for Mobile Intelligent Network Utilization System.

MINU$ knows which of the user-enabled network options is most appropriate for a given call, if not the standard carrier voice service:

However, the user can override this routing logic by defining rules for each country code, area code, prefix, or entire phone number they call:

Some rules can also be changed without entering the Tubaloo preferences:

The GSM callback feature allows a user to initiate a VoIP call without incurring charges for the connection or for that first, rounded-up minute:

While I had trouble registering on the Tubaloo network without a SIM (again, an early version of the app) the program will work without one, and here you can see in *incoming* call, SIM-free:

(See more of Tubaloo's Guevara-inspired frontman in this Spanish video.)

I think that the implications of this app are huge, and while I can't say anything about what I've heard regarding Tubaloo's designs on the future, I will say that this company is going to ruffle some feathers. I am very interested to see how major carriers respond to Tubaloo's General Manager, Michael Tupper. Will he be written off publicly, fiercly resisted privately, ignored? Only time will tell, but I expect more posts surrounding this inevitable standoff.

For more information on Tubaloo, you can follow the official Twitter account and blog. There's also a Spanish interview with Michael posted on Facebook.