Calling

While waiting for my broken mobile phone to be replaced, I decided to try to use my fourth-generation iPod touch as a mobile phone. I realized that I would be limited to using it when I could connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. As it turned out, that was the least of my challenges. NOTE: This article was written from an iPod touch point of view.

Apple's Visual Voicemail system not only lets callers leave you a voice message, it allows you to pick which message you want to listen to. Gone are the days when you had to listen to a long list of messages just to get to the one you're interested in. Here are some tips on how to use the feature and manage your voicemail:

Use Visual Voicemail to listen to the important messages first


 You can convert phone numbers into contacts very easily with the iPhone. You can even add an additional number to an existing contact. Here's how you do it:

1. Tap on the Phone icon from your Home screen.

2. Tap on the Keypad option in the menu bar at the bottom of the screen.
3. Dial the phone number but don't tap Call.
4. Instead, tap the Add Contact icon to the left of the Call button.

It is sometimes handy to access another app while you're on a phone call. For example, you might want to look up a movie time or check a shopping list while talking to your spouse. (Note: if the app requires 3G access, this can only be done on an AT&T iPhone.) The iPhone makes this easy to do.

1. While you're on a phone conversation, tap the Speaker icon and press the Home button.


With the iPhone's Voice Control feature activated, all you have to do is speak a person's name to call them. If the person is not in your contacts list, you can just speak the phone number. Here's how to activate the Voice Control feature.

Place a call by speaking either the name or number of the person you're calling. 

1. Tap and hold the Home button or the center button on your Apple headphones for a couple of seconds. You will hear a quick double beep, prompting you to speak your command.
2. Say the words "Phone," "Call," or "Dial" and then speak the name of the contact or phone number.

You iPhone gives you a lot of options when it comes to making phone calls, and it makes it easy to access the Phone app when you're most likely to need it. Here are some of the fastest ways to call.

Add a phone number to your Favorites list:


The Favorites list acts like a speed dial system on other phones. You can use it to store your most frequently used numbers, and even add e-mail addresses for contacts you want to use FaceTime with.