Europe : Described by Apple itself as the “funnest” iPod ever, the iPod touch may now be the “useful-est,” too, thanks to free software—Truphone for iPod Touch—that effectively turns one into a mobile phone.

Inset : iPhone is already compatible with Truphone .

Not only is the software free, but calls made using Truphone’s application for the iPod touch are also free—just in time to save precious cash when making those holiday calls to friends and family.

Once installed, and with the addition of a microphone adaptor (Truphone microphone adaptor available soon)*, iPod touch owners can make free calls—no matter where they are in the world—to other iPod touch owners, to customers of Truphone’s Internet telephony service and to users of Google Talk™ instant messaging service.