Viber for Android finally launched(like Whatsapp for Voice)

Viber currently provides a free messaging service between Viber users (note that it works cross-platform with iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, iPod and iPad users, etc).

In the future we plan to add VoIP to Viber for BB - in fact we're already working around the clock and will continue to do so until VoIP is fully integrated :)
 
Hi everyone,

We are excited to announce that the long anticipated Viber 2.2 has just been released, and available for download!
Our new version contains many new features, improvements and bug fixes, the highlights of which are:

- Group Messaging
- Personal photos can now be added to your Contacts
- Time stamps for each and every message on your text conversations
- Custom backgrounds can now be assigned to your text conversation screen
- See when your friends joined Viber inside Viber's contact list.

And many more cool new featuers and enhancements :)
As always, we would love to receive feedback from you regarding the new version - your thoughts, problems you might have encountered, etc.

Regards,
the Viber Team
 
Hi there,
As some of you have already noticed, we have released a new version of Viber - 2.3.0 !

What's new?
- (Android only) Use your own ringtones from Android as your Viber ringtones!
- (Android only) Reply to cellular (regular) SMS using Viber.
- Include cool emoticons in your Viber text message.
- Share Stickers with your Viber contacts.
- Add a custom location to your Viber texts.
- Many other enchancements and improvements.

So, make sure you download the latest version! :)
Please feel free to let us know your thoughts, questions and comments, we'd be happy to hear from you.
Viber Team
 
Viber said:
Hi there,
As some of you have already noticed, we have released a new version of Viber - 2.3.0 !

What's new?
- (Android only) Use your own ringtones from Android as your Viber ringtones!
- (Android only) Reply to cellular (regular) SMS using Viber.
- Include cool emoticons in your Viber text message.
- Share Stickers with your Viber contacts.
- Add a custom location to your Viber texts.
- Many other enchancements and improvements.

So, make sure you download the latest version! :)
Please feel free to let us know your thoughts, questions and comments, we'd be happy to hear from you.
Viber Team
Click to expand...
Now all that is needed is bluetooth headset support
 
I'm on 8ta at home and have started to see the 'Service is being blocked' message.

When I change to cell C, the problem disappears.

To me its clear that 8ta has started to block Viber. Can anyone else corroborate this report?

Thanks
 
Cost Conscious said:
I'm on 8ta at home and have started to see the 'Service is being blocked' message.

When I change to cell C, the problem disappears.

To me its clear that 8ta has started to block Viber. Can anyone else corroborate this report?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Some mobile operators across the world block Viber on their 3G network. Usually this happens when users have a "simple" data plan (or a prepaid contract), meaning they didn't pay extra for using VoIP on their 3G network.

In order to verify this, we recommend to contact your cell company and confirm this with them.
 
Viber said:
Some mobile operators across the world block Viber on their 3G network. Usually this happens when users have a "simple" data plan (or a prepaid contract), meaning they didn't pay extra for using VoIP on their 3G network.

In order to verify this, we recommend to contact your cell company and confirm this with them.
Click to expand...
No networks in SA charge you extra for using VoIP AFAIK.
 
I did contact 8ta and their response was that they were not aware that Viber was being blocked.

Since my report, it's become clear that if the 8ta network is slow (or even dead), the Viber app seems to detect this as being blocked.

8ta was having throughput issues yesterday which cleared up in the late afternoon for a spell. During the period it was 'working normally', Viber also started working again.

This morning, once again 8ta is unstable (Linden 3rd Ave) & once again Viber is blocked.

So 8ta isn't blocking Viber, its just giving me a slow, unstable connection & that kills Viber.

I have bounced this to 8ta social.

(Sent courtesy of my Cell C account)
 
@Cost Conscious -

Thank you for the info.
We hope that the problems in 8ta are resolved as soon as possible. As you can see, it seems that this is totally out of our (Viber's) hands.
 
Yes, when it comes to network performance I agree.

However I wonder whether the app needs to be tuned to detect when there is no internet connection?

Reporting it is being blocked, when in fact the problem is slow or no internet, is not helpful for the user nor for reporting purposes.

Thanks
 
Well,

The app tries to transmit its traffic through the network the phone is connected to. If the connection is established and is stable, the calls might be cut or disrupted, but they will still connect. If the connection is so bad (or simply blocking Viber, which internet-wise is the same thing), Viber cannot "know" which of those 2 options are correct, and so it simply informs the user of this alleged block.
 
Fair enouigh, however many apps I use, for instance currency converters know when there is no connection, and state that.

Being blocked is a more uncommon scenario.

For me a more helpful response would be 'no connection or signal blocked'.

I can test for no connection - I can't test for whether the Viber service is being blocked.
 
@Cost Conscious -

As we said, it is sometimes simply technologically impossible to differentiate between the two. What Viber does is that it tries to ping our servers (checking for life). If there is no internet connection, Viber will never get a response from the server. If Viber is specifically blocked in some network, then again - a response from the server will never arrive. Viber can only do *so* much to tell the difference between a block and a no-connection.

* It's important to note that there are 2 different error messages. The one that goes: "Viber service is currently unavailable or being blocked" means that it is more likely a block than anything else (there is a different error message for suspected disrupted internet connection).

Anyway, we are aware of most cases of blocked networks across the world, and usually we can tell users in forums (like this) when their network is suspected to having Viber blocked :)
 
OK, thanks for the explanation & noted. I'm not trying to be difficult and I do appreciate the App.

Although I also have Skype installed, Viber is often simply more convenient & instant on.

Thanks again.
 
Cost Conscious said:
OK, thanks for the explanation & noted. I'm not trying to be difficult and I do appreciate the App.

Although I also have Skype installed, Viber is often simply more convenient & instant on.

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

You were not at all difficult, and we were happy to explain and assist. Keep enjoying Viber! :)
 
You guys still need to sort out your contacts with Viber. There are at least 2 in my contact list that ha e not had Viber installed on thier phones for nearly a year, if not longer. Problem is firstly they still appear and secondly Viber rings no matter if there is someone on the other end or not.
 
@CranialBlaze -

After 45 days of absolute no-usage of Viber, a contact should stop appearing as a Viber contact (or, if that user deactivates Viber, the "Viber" badge should disappear immediately for others). Are you sure they had not been using Viber at all for a whole year?

Secondly,
When you use Viber, you can tell indirectly if your contact is online as follows:

When you make a Viber call, you will first see "Calling". It will change to "Ringing" if your contact is online and their phone is literally ringing.
When you send a message, "Delivered" means the message has been received on the other side's phone (they're online). If you only see "Sent", it means it's been sent from you, but pending the other side to come online (they're offline at the moment). So, if messages remain at "Sent" and do not become "Delivered", you might want to check with your destination contact whether or not they are connected to the internet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X