Filed under: Rumors, Software, iPhone
Rumor: Skype for iPhone nearly ready
VOIP for iPhone is the dream of many a user, and Om Malik suggests that it might be days away. Citing a "...very reliable source," Om says that Skype is ready to launch their iPhone app, perhaps at next week's CTIA Wireless event.That's whole lot of "suggests" and "might" and "perhaps," is it not? Frankly, I don't see why Apple or AT&T would be keen on Skype for the iPhone or iPod touch. Of course, here are other VOIP options available, like fring and iCall (among others), so what do I know? It's an interesting rumor, but for now, that's all.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
djfred said 11:23AM on 3-27-2009
I don't see why Apple would care. ATT of course wants every minute of talk time they can get and every call made through Skype is at least theoretically a call that they might have been able to charge for -even if it's just limited to wifi. But Apple gets paid by iPhone sales and ATT contracts, not talk time.
I don't see them being the least bit upset about it one way or another. If it helps drive iPhone sales, it's a win/win for them.
Reply
msingletary said 11:44AM on 3-27-2009
I don't think anyone has every actually argued that Apple cares if there's VoIP on the iPhone and I believe they'd actually prefer if it were available. This is something that keeps some people I know from grabbing an iPhone and offering it might push others over the edge as "the final straw" that made them like the iPhone enough to get it. I know that the author mentions Apple not being keen on it, but I think that this is an unfounded claim.
AT&T doesn't care about iPhone sales, especially now since they subsidize the cost of the unit by offering customers a discount. They now require that these customers pay more for data plans, text messaging plans, and of course more minutes.
If you remove one of these services (having to pay for minutes), you remove one of the ways for them to make their money back for creating the account and starting services (upwards of $800 per new customer) and the discount provided on your phone (at least $400 per 8gb iPhone) and you become significantly less profitable to them.
AT&T doesn't want there to be a viable VoIP option on the iPhone because it will allow users to find another reason to pay for less minutes or never have the possibility of going over their minutes because they can make minute-free calls over VoIP. The fact that they're working on launching a competing Femtocell service in 2009 (probably (more information here: http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Femtocells-in-2009-99608)) makes it seem even less likely that this will last.
I would LOVE to see Skype show up on the iPhone and be a full VoIP client that sticks around, so hopefully there's some sort of agreement between Skype, Apple, and AT&T that will allow this.
Robert said 11:45AM on 3-27-2009
Until you go over the hours on your contract (or go over the SMS limit). Then they make gobs of cash off talk time (or SMSs).
Brian said 4:37PM on 3-27-2009
And how exactly did you divine this information that AT&T doesn't care about iPhone sales? AT&T has a much higher margin on their data and messaging plan than on voice plans, and the iPhone has been their biggest seller over the last few years.
AT&T likely won't allow a VoIP application to use the cellular network because: a) they'll be cannibalizing profits from their own voice plans and b) increasing congestion on their cellular network. It's really a no-brainer.
Carlitos said 11:18AM on 3-27-2009
Just on time to coincide with a new iPhone with a "dual" camera...
Reply
Jax said 11:34AM on 3-27-2009
Fring doesn't work very well (not very reliable) and I use Skype every day on my Mac so I don't want to sign up for an account with iCall (plus I already paid for a Skype unlimited North America plan), so I am really looking forward to an official Skype for iPhone that actually works!
Reply
bt said 12:31PM on 3-27-2009
Skype works surprisingly well through Nimbuzz on the iPhone.... I've made numerous calls to relatives overseas and call quality is excellent. Only issue is that it requires that you're on wifi... The quality is much better than skype on fring... with fring, voice was choppy or delayed, with Nimbuzz, works very well.... only thing missing is video chat... would love to enable video chat - at least to see the person that I'm talking to on my iphone screen if they have a camera..... a new version of the iphone with a front facing camera would be awesome.
Nimbuzz also just added the ability to call out with skype out credits.
Reply
bfatokun said 12:43PM on 3-27-2009
Yep. I can confirm that from an even more reliable source... it's been submitted for approval to Apple already. Sorry to be a bearer of bad news but it only works over wi-fi :(
Reply
teiresias said 1:46PM on 3-27-2009
Skype on the iPhone is actually what's going to keep me from leaving ATT and the iPhone behind. I'm forced to have Skype and Skype "landline" number to forward my calls to when I'm at home because I get absolutely no ATT reception where I actually live. Around town and at work it's fine, but at home? Nada. Granted, I'm on an Edge-only iPhone, so maybe I'd get better 3G reception, but I'm not buying a 3G or the soon-to-come phone to experiment and find out.
The fact that I'll be able to set up my call forwarding (set up as a Favorites contact) and then keep my iPhone with me and be able to answer the calls that are forwarded to my Skype number on my iPhone is great and won't keep me tethered to my Mac when I'm having a phone conversation. It also means I only really need the Skype app to support wi-fi, so I'm set there too.
Of course, the optimum solution would be better ATT coverage, but I can live with this solution.
Reply
Boydbme said 2:07PM on 3-27-2009
I hate to sink your ship, but i doubt the the skype app will be able to receive calls, unless the app is running. In fact, with the current SDK and rules set by apple, I know that the app will not receive calls while closed.
Anyone have any speculation on wether push notifications would allow you to answer a VOIP call? because that could be useful, but you'd have to wait till summer to get iphone firmware 3.0
teiresias said 11:18AM on 3-28-2009
@Boydbme You aren't exactly bursting a bubble, since I already assumed you'd have to keep the app open. My primary use for this, as I said, would be to plug my cellular hole when I'm at home, so I'm perfectly content to put the iPhone in the cradle in the living room - as opposed to the one in the office where I sync it - and leave a Skype app running all evening. I'll be at home, so any computing I'll be doing will be done on my desktop app to begin with.
George said 4:49PM on 3-27-2009
It would be nice if Skype comes to iPhone but for me it seems to expensive to use Skype to call out.
For me MagicJack is a great option on my iPhone that i will not part from as long as i can.
Reply
Shaun said 5:45PM on 3-27-2009
The problem with VOIP on the iPhone is the VOIP stack needs to be constantly running to receive incoming calls.
Unless Apple allows background applications, it's just simply not possible. And furthermore, it needs the kind of integration into the address book, messaging app and other apps (camera etc) that Nokia do so well on the E71, E66 and even the non-smart S40 based 6300i.
For a decent VOIP client btw, check out http://www.siax.org/
Maybe we'll see it by iPhone OS v7 at this rate of progress.
Reply
John Mortnesen said 11:11PM on 3-27-2009
I was in Japan a couple of weeks ago and used TruPhone on my iPhone to change the seat on my flight home. Worked great!
Reply
christiaanbriggs said 7:47AM on 3-28-2009
I'm already using Skype on iPhone via Truphone:
http://www.truphone.com/iphone/
Reply
John T said 3:19PM on 3-28-2009
Can someone tell me what the point of this app would be if there is no video on the iPhone yet? Why not just call someone?
http://www.johnthrasher.net
Reply
F said 11:50PM on 3-28-2009
I'm with you John.
shmooopy said 12:07AM on 3-29-2009
Does not seem like there is an issue with Apple on this they have already said that voip clients restricted to wifi are allowed.
John, its probably not applicable for video but even if its just voice it is very useful. Let's say you are overseas in a hotel room with wifi. So you take out your iPhone, load Skype and call the states on the iPhone. You are not roaming because its all over wifi skype other party. It will be free to a skype app or you'd only pay the $.02 per minute to call the local number in the states.
The same would apply to a location where you have poor cell reception but good wifi and IP connection.
All this potentially could be done with your handset. You wouldn't need to be tethered to your laptop or carry another headset.
For incoming calls you can have your Skype account forwarded to your foreign cell phone, landline or your iPhone. Depending on where you are you might pay a premium rate to get the call but if desired you could call back with the Skype app at a discount.
All this would allow significant saving from anywhere in the world.
Also Skype chat is pretty awesome. If it supports that it would be pretty helpful to those who use it.
Reply
Roger said 11:39PM on 3-30-2009
Well said, shmooopy
Reply