The problem with the current VICaR design is that there is no way for the app to know "when" the user wants to make a call and which number to call. It is just a daemon. There is no dialpad or contacts list within the application. So we let the user make a call, verify whether it is an international number (not excluded), capture the number and then cancel the call. This could get delayed if the Phone is busy running multiple apps. This is definitely not the best way.

AFAIK there are two ways to improve the scenario.

1 - Use a custom application (like MyContacts) to display contacts and initiate the call from that application.

Pros: Can customize UI as much as we want.
Cons: Cannot use Maemo/N900's built-in features and phone shortcuts. (like launching contacts by sliding keyboard and typing).

2 - Integrate with Maemo's contacts (Screenshot from Dawid).

Pros: With few additional steps can use Maemo's contacts.
Cons: Contact page looks cluttered if multiple phone numbers are stored.

With both of these options, VICaR knows which number to dial and will directly place the call to CC and send DTMF. So the current risk of getting charged for directly calling international numbers will be avoided.

We already have solution #1 in place with MyContacts-VICaR integration. I am working on solution #2. Most of the calling card based apps I know use either of these solutions.

If any of you could think of some other approach, do let me know