VoIP application for iPhone prompts user controversy

A new, unofficial voice over internet protocol (VoIP) application for iPhone has prompted controversy among fans of the Apple gadget.

Tech blog Touchmods, which specialises in creating SIP VoIP applications for Apple products, developed the new software after French internet service provider (ISP) Free.fr donated an Apple iPhone to the site.

However, some of the blog's readers are reportedly unhappy that the application can only be used as part of a package from Free.fr, meaning only residents of France can use it.

Some also appear unhappy that the application has been developed for the iPhone and not the iPod touch mp3 player. According to technology site Apple-Touch, an early version of the iPod VoIP programme, which is compatible with open source software such as Asterisk, had been launched but the new software is not compatible with it.

Touchmods has announced plan to release a free, open source version of the iPhone application for download by people in other countries but its use will be "time-limited".