Skype app for Iphone

[albatross710]

Hi,

Thought I'd pass on that Skype have released a free iPhone app. I downloaded it, tried it and it worked fine for calls, skype-to-skype and skype out call Wi-fi. Originally I had thought it worked over 3G.

It doesn't hold much benefit for me at the moment as:

I rarely reach the cap on my voice plan, so why use Skype with varable quality (and security issues)

If I was travelling overseas, then iPhone isn't a solution due to the high OS roaming charges


One area would be good for others is if they need to make overseas calls. That would give voip style rates from a mobile phone. That would be good payback, totally undermining the telcos who provide the iphones with generous data plans.

I'd be interested if others have experiences with possible uses.

Alby

 

[samh004]

It's not meant to work over 3G, as it clogs the networks, however should work on wifi. Apparently if you're using the latest iPhone OS 3.0 then it mistakenly works over 3G, but that'll be fixed when it's properly shipping.

I also believe AT&T has asked Apple to remove it from the app store in the US.

Unfortunately I have a first-generation iPod touch, so can't do anything audio with it, but have used Skype out before on my mac and it's really good value. I guess if 3G works then you should be watching your usage while roaming in another country as that'll normally cost a fortune. But if you were just using wifi (and with more places having free/cheap wifi, why wouldn't you), it'd be well worth it.

 

[albatross710]

It's not meant to work over 3G, as it clogs the networks, however should work on wifi. Apparently if you're using the latest iPhone OS 3.0 then it mistakenly works over 3G, but that'll be fixed when it's properly shipping.

I also believe AT&T has asked Apple to remove it from the app store in the US.

I was surprised to see it available from Skype, even surprised to see someone hadn't already released an alternative.

I thought I had tried it on 3G yesterday, but now that I think about it, I initiated the call while I was within range of the office wi-fi and then drove away. I assumed I had moved out of wi-fi range. I just tried it again now and definately not working on 3G - my apologies.

The app gives a message that calls are not allowed over 3G due to "contractual obligations."

I also read somewhere that iPhones that have been jailbraked will not work with it...another of those contractual obligations I guess.

 

[futaris]

Skype will work over 3G on a jailbreaked iPhone:

How to Use Skype over 3G on iPhone
iClarified - iPhone - How to Enable Skype Calls Over 3G

 

[samh004]

Skype will work over 3G on a jailbreaked iPhone:

How to Use Skype over 3G on iPhone
iClarified - iPhone - How to Enable Skype Calls Over 3G

Probably not the best idea in the world though. Use of Skype should be to save you money as you're not using your cellular credit. Forget it's using 3G and not wifi one day and suddenly you're going to have a very large bill.

 

[medhead]

Your not likely to get a very large bill if using over 3G, remember iphone doesn't do video.

Basically, skype and all VOIP apps for iPhone are not supposed to work over the phone network data link, only over wifi. So most of the comments about the cost of data while roaming overseas, or otherwise, are not exactly relevant. Where this app will come into it's own is when you have the free wifi connection while o/s.

But probably more useful is the Pennytel app, which has a callback function, which I use in Oz, basically paying for a pennytel call to my mobile and the other number. Otherwise, again voip using the wifi link at other times. There is some other functionality that might be useful but I haven't totally investigated how to use it.

Another VOIP app to look at is Fring, which can use multiple vsp including skype.

For o/s usage however, SMS and calling cards still seem to be the G O

 

[beardoc]

But probably more useful is the Pennytel app, which has a callback function, which I use in Oz, basically paying for a pennytel call to my mobile and the other number. Otherwise, again voip using the wifi link at other times. There is some other functionality that might be useful but I haven't totally investigated how to use it.

If you "jailbreak" your iPhone, you can use VoIP over 3G, but I wouldn't recommend this for most people.

I agree that the Pennytel app is by far the most useful - most of you on iPhones would be on a contract, but when you're not, they've released a PennySIM SIM card which allows calls for 8c untimed to many countries (or 10.5c/min to Australian mobiles) using the Pennytel application, and you can use it in several other countries as well. I use it and now make hour long calls from my mobile when I'm walking around, and it's still only 8c for the call.

 

[medhead]

I'm certainly not up to jailbreaking my phone - that sort of thing requires a time investment in researching and I just couldn't be bothered.

Thanks for the tip about pennySIM. Will look into it.

 

[simongr]

I am a big fan of skype at home on the iMac and if my grand iPhone plan takes off later this year then I will certainly be using this over the wifi at home. It is a hassle being tied to the desk whilst usig skype...

 

[samh004]

I am a big fan of skype at home on the iMac and if my grand iPhone plan takes off later this year then I will certainly be using this over the wifi at home. It is a hassle being tied to the desk whilst usig skype...

You know you can connect a cordless/wireless phone to your mac to talk through skype when around your iMac.

See here for a quick example. Obviously there will be better products.

If you're waiting for an iPhone, wait till after July, don't give in when you're this close to the new model coming out.

 

[beardoc]

If you're waiting for an iPhone, wait till after July, don't give in when you're this close to the new model coming out.

You shouldn't need to wait. What's coming in July is a software upgrade (OS version 3.0), not a hardware upgrade, and it's a free upgrade for iPhone 3G users. Apple hasn't been running down inventory levels of existing iPhones so there's no good evidence of new models just yet. A few of the Apple rumour sites are talking about new models at the end of the year, but there's no hard evidence to that as yet.

 

[samh004]

There's little bits of evidence coming out all the time for new models. I check MacRumors daily, and post there quite a bit.

It would be unlike Apple not to update on the year-mark. June/July.

They screwed up last year when they ran out of stock a month before the update, so I'd imagine they're making sure they have enough this year, but prices keep dropping lower and lower for refurbished models, the iPhone OS 3.0 firmware references unreleased models and it's just expected. Especially with the Pre coming out soon, they need to refresh. I haven't read anything that's said it will be as late as the end of the year.

At this stage my advice is not to buy, too close to the next update. It's 2 months and a few days till the keynote, we'll see then.

 

[simongr]

You know you can connect a cordless/wireless phone to your mac to talk through skype when around your iMac.

See here for a quick example. Obviously there will be better products.

If you're waiting for an iPhone, wait till after July, don't give in when you're this close to the new model coming out.

Thanks for those links. Tempting to try - though the conversion from US$ is an issue...

I am waiting to see about the iPhone and whether there will be a hardware upgrade in July. There is no guarantee of that though as this whole anniversary thing is a bit of a furfee given there has only been one anniversary of the iPhone. My bigger issue is persuading my company to let me connect an iPhone to a blackberry dedicated network...

 

[Shano]

Thanks for those links. Tempting to try - though the conversion from US$ is an issue...

I am waiting to see about the iPhone and whether there will be a hardware upgrade in July. There is no guarantee of that though as this whole anniversary thing is a bit of a furfee given there has only been one anniversary of the iPhone. My bigger issue is persuading my company to let me connect an iPhone to a blackberry dedicated network...

Skype are supposedly releasing their own app for Blackberry next month. I have recently changed from a Windows mobile device to a Bold, so will be interested in this when it is released.

See here