Gadgets: VOIP for AT&T mobile network

We knew that someday we'd be able to make VoIP phone calls over the iPhone's 3G network. Apple and AT&T said so.

That day has come. iCall is the first app to offer free VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls on AT&T's mobile network.

That means customers with unlimited data plans can save money by buying the minimum number of voice minutes, because iCall places calls using data sent over the Internet, not voice minutes.

In a test, iCall was a breeze to use, if a bit tinny. The app is free, as are the calls it makes, but there are a few catches. People on the free calling plan will hear an ad before a call is connected, and calls are limited to five minutes. A $10 monthly subscription eliminates the ads and the time limit and provides services like voice mail.

The other caveat is that most unlimited data plans have limits on certain kinds of apps, like peer-to-peer file sharing. So far iCall appears to be in the clear, but it's early yet.

Olympus has announced a new version of its slick-looking PEN Micro Four Thirds camera that is aimed at everyday users with intuitive features and a lower price.

The new PEN E-PL1 will include a built-in flash, faster autofocus and graphical interface that will enable casual photographers to easily achieve more sophisticated results.

The new model is a bit blockier than its predecessors and lacks some of the original panache, but it has the same large image sensor, interchangeable lens capabilities and high-definition 720p video. And it's still considerably more compact than a digital single-lens reflex camera.

The E-PL1, compatible with Micro Four Thirds lenses, will be sold in a kit with a 14mm to 42mm (28mm to 84mm equivalent) f3.5/5.6 zoom lens.

Other differences between the E-PL1 and the previous models include a smaller LCD (2.7 inches vs. 3 inches) and a mono mic.

The new PEN E-PL1 will be available in mid-March in black, champagne gold and slate blue.