I have to say kudos to the team at o2’s innovation labs. Kudos gents.
They’ve created an international calling card application that you can download for your app. It’s a really nice idea — and something that I think most o2 customers who call abroad now-and-again should have on their phone.
If you’re a regular caller abroad then obviously, you should buy a special price plan or add-on to help mitigate the costs. However I think most users won’t call abroad enough to warrant an extra £5 or £10 a month on top of their standard price plan.
And when you want to phone the States, that’s when things get tricky as you’re likely going to have to pay lots of cash for the privilege.
Going to the local store to pick up a calling card is an option. But it’s a hassle.
An infinitely better experience is to download the all new o2 International Calling Card app. It’s a genius concept and a beautiful implementation.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1 – Download the app for free
Step 2 – Buy your calling card through the app, using your iTunes account
Step 3 – “scratch” off the panel to reveal your pin
Step 4 – click on make a call and either dial the number or select from your contact list.
That’s right, you scratch off the panel to reveal your PIN! Heh! A very cool addition, that.
I am particularly impressed that you can bill the cost of the card to your iTunes account. Seamless.
I’m going to give this one a go.
The app is free from iTunes and available now.
Let’s have some screenshots then…
The app frontpage:
Buying calling credit with your iTunes account:
Unwrapping and scratch off your PIN! Note — I particularly like the way you can send the card by email/text. Very useful.
To make a call from the app with your credit, just dial the international number and press call…
And once you press ‘call’, the app sticks on the access number for you and places the call.
Nice work o2!