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Bria for iPad (v2.2.1)

by OnSIP

OnSIP's review of Bria for iPad, a softphone with support for XMPP chat, HD voice, conferencing, and video calling.

Published: July 11, 2015

Summary

Overall:star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24
Configuration:star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_gray_24
OnSIP Testing:star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24
Voice Quality:star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_gray_24
Ease of Use:star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24star_orange_24

Quick Specs

  • Support for up to 16 accounts on any SIP-compliant server
  • Three-way conferencing, multiple call support
  • Video calls - H.264 and VP8 codec support
  • Presence and XMPP - For XMPP and SIP SIMPLE protocols, including SMS. SIP SIMPLE usability subject to VoIP provider support

Pros

  • Intuitive, easy to use UI
  • App looks and feels great
  • Great voice quality
  • Unified Communications functionality
  • Good video framerate, resolution

Cons

  • Using the iPad's on-screen keyboard for XMPP chat can be a irritating

The following review was conducted in June 2012, and information on subsequent software updates and new version releases may not be reflected within. This review predates OnSIP’s mobile app for iOS and Android, free to OnSIP users, so is not affected by bias.

A more recent review of this phone can be found here: Bria for iPad (Version 3.8.1)

Bria for iPad is a software phone and unified communications application that combines high-definition voice, video, presence, and chat all into a smooth and easy-to-use UI for when you're on the go. Users can add their OnSIP credentials to get extension to extension dialing and have their business caller ID displayed on outbound calls, allowing them to work from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Premium features include presence management and messaging (SIP SIMPLE and XMPP), as well as video calling.

Ease of Use

We decided that for Bria, it's better to show than tell. Check out our video review of the Bria for iPad below.

 OnSIP Configuration

Obtain your user credentials. You can find this information in the user detail pages under the Users tab in the Phone Configuration section of the OnSIP Admin Portal, and should include the following information:

When you open up Bria for iPad for the first time, you should be on a Settings screen with the title “Select VoIP Provider.” Choose OnSIP from the list of pre-defined VoIP providers, enter your SIP credentials, and hit the “Register” button.” That’s all there is to it. Your application will now be optimally configured for use with your OnSIP phone system.

Bria for iPad preconfigured providers

Bria for iPad SIP account

Bria for iPad currently supports up to 16 simultaneous accounts, which is many more than most of us will probably ever need. To add another account, simply go into Settings > Accounts and hit the + sign in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Setting up your OnSIP XMPP instant messaging and presence account is even easier. After you’ve purchased the presence and messaging add-on, you’ll see that you can add an XMPP account. Choose that option, give your XMPP account a name within the Bria app, and enter your OnSIP SIP address and web password as follows:

Bria for iPad xmpp account

  • Username: Enter the first part of your SIP address—what comes before the @.
  • Password: The same password you use to log in to my.onsip.com. If you do not know your web password, you can ask your OnSIP account administrator to email it to you from the OnSIP admin portal.
  • Domain: Enter the second part of your SIP address—what comes after the @.

Overall, getting started up with the Bria for iPad app is very easy if you have all the information you need on hand.

Compatibility Testing

At Junction Networks, we put each of the phones we use through a multi-step interoperability test in which we apply ~30 test cases. An example of a test case would be the following:

Test phone calls phone B

B picks up

B puts test phone on hold

B calls phone C

C picks up

B transfers test phone to C

The call must be transferred correctly to C. B must be released correctly after the transfer. When C picks up, audio must work both ways between test phone and C. When the test phone is on hold, there is no audio between it and phone B.

We’re happy to report that the Bria for iPad application passed all the tests we threw at it with absolutely no issues. It just works, which isn’t particularly surprising considering Counterpath has a very good track record of releasing successful software products tailored specifically for business and enterprise customers.

Voice Quality

Calls sound very good. Bria supports G.722 for HD calls, G.711, iLBC, GSM, and SILK. Users also have the option to purchase G.729 within the app. Call quality will of course depend on your network. Here's an audio clip of an HD call to Bria compared to the same call to a Polycom Soundpoint IP 550.

If you're going to use a headset (recommended), please be aware that most headsets are not HD voice compatible.

Bria to Bria Video Testing

We did more video call testing with some of the different versions of Bria, Bria for Mac, and Bria for iPhone. Here's what we found:

A call from Bria for Mac to Bria for iPad (Macbook Pro to iPad 2): This works fine. There was some noticeable screen choppiness at times, but overall it's pretty good. Video quality is much better for the person using the iPad 2 (better resolution, better frame rate).

A call from Bria for iPad to Bria for Mac (iPad 2 to Macbook Pro): Bria for iPad stuck in “waiting for remote video” mode. Interestingly enough, Bria for Mac displayed inbound video with no problems. The frame rate was also much better when Bria for Mac received the call.

Calls between Bria for iPad and Bria for iPhone (iPad 2 to iPhone 4S): Excellent video quality. Great frame rate and resolution. Absolutely no complaints here.

Calls between Bria for iPad and Polycom VVX 1500: This worked well. Great resolution and frame rate on Bria for iPad. (This is shown in the video above.) Solid frame rate and resolution on the Polycom VVX 500.

Final Thoughts

This app isn't too bad when it comes to battery drain. We left Bria on (ready to receive incoming calls and messages) for a little under five hours, and the iPad's battery went from 81 percent to 71 percent. For more intensive stuff like video calling, an hour will cost ~10 percent.

Overall, Bria for iPad is a great application. The user interface is smooth and intuitive. Call handling options worked without a hitch, and the add-ons turn the app into more than a phone. If you happen to have an iPad and are looking for a way to take your work extension on the go, then definitely consider Bria.

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