Filed under: Internet Tools, iPhone
Skype for iPhone coming Tuesday, says CNET
Update: Our pals at Engadget are reporting that Skype for the iPhone has just hit Japan!We heard it was on the way, but now CNET says it's official: the Skype application for iPhone and iPod touch should be available tomorrow on the App Store. As expected, the voice-over-IP app will require a WiFi connection to place and receive calls; it will also handle conference calling as a participant, not an initiator, and the first version leaves out SMS, call waiting and an integrated voicemail tool. Skype text chat, unlike voice traffic, will work fine over an EDGE or 3G connection.
Imperfect? Yes, and there are other apps -- Fring and Nimbuzz, for example -- that can talk to the Skype voice network... but the big blue S is providing the stamp of approval for VoIP on the iPhone, and you can bet that Skype's app will shoot to the top of the App Store charts as soon as it's released.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tom said 7:41AM on 3-30-2009
Looking forward to it. I don't need the VoIP at all, but I have most of my friends on Skype and carrying them around with me will be great. Now we just need Push Notifications, don't we?
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fronesis said 7:47AM on 3-30-2009
It's not surprising that we Mac users would be interested in the way that the Skype iPhone client enhances or augments the iPhone user experience.
But it's important to see clearly how this dramatically improves and alters the Skype experience. Namely: there's no longer any need to have a landline at home. The big drawback about switching to Skype as one's main home phone is that you have to be in front of your computer (or have a wireless headset,etc.) in order to make calls. But if there's a good, reliable, no-delay iPhone client, then I can just pick up my iPhone (or even Touch) when at home and make calls.
I'm assuming I can't receive calls on my iPhone, so there's still a limitation there (for me, I'll forward my skype number to my AT&T number, but if I'm at home and want to save minutes, I'll call people back on Skype). And others will talk about 911 calls, and about specific sorts of disasters that make the internet, power and cell networks go down, but supposedly not POTS lines. But this is a step closer to bypassing not only POTS lines but regular VoIP technology (Vonage and all the rest).
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Eideard said 7:52AM on 3-30-2009
CNET says it's official because they [and the WSJ] copied it from GigaOm.
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Michael Rose said 9:32AM on 3-30-2009
I understand that Om is cranky about this, and we credited him in the rumor post from last week. Fact is, though, CNET went and talked to Skype execs at CTIA, so they're entitled to credit on this part of the story.
EMoShunz said 8:02AM on 3-30-2009
hopefully it would lead to skype over 3g down the road. but perhaps some smart person could write a little something to auto switch between fring/skype depending on wifi availability (i only suggest because i've heard fring does have some quality issues, otherwise just use fring).
also, if the iphone/touch don't allow background apps, how would someone receive calls from a skypein number. i use skypein at work and it's great, albeit an american number (no skypein in canada... skype blames bell, bell blames crtc, crtc blames skype) and it works quite well, it'd be great to take that anywhere.
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shiva.ramabadran said 8:05AM on 3-30-2009
Let's start those front facing camera rumors again!
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Jose said 8:25AM on 3-30-2009
Mobile Substrate and VOIPover3G :)
Hopefully it will work with Skype for iPhone.
The only thing is that 3G is very laggy and conversations are hard to keep fluent.
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BeyondtheTech said 8:27AM on 3-30-2009
Ever since the much beloved "Skype To Go" feature ever came out from these guys, I don't even have a need for an app, let alone a mobile device for it, as it works over landlines and any cell phone. However, if I see traces of video conferencing in the application, I'll be stoked - it'll have to be for the next version of iPhone when it comes out (this summer?).
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sphere said 8:30AM on 3-30-2009
@EMoShunz:
If your iPhone is jailbroken, you can install VoIPover3G to allow any app originally restricted to WiFi to work over EDGE/3G (not only Fring, Skype etc., it also kills size limitations for iTunes Store, App Store and Podcasts)
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Josh said 8:54AM on 3-30-2009
VOIPover3G doesn't work on the AppStore/iTunesStore.. :(
so apps or podcasts over 10mb cannot be downloaded.
sphere said 9:12AM on 3-30-2009
You're right, podcasts don't work. App Store, iTunes Store should be ok, though. You might have to check this file:
/Library/MobileSubstrate/DynamicLibraries/VoIPover3G.plist
Mine looks like this:
Filter = {Bundles = ("com.Fringland.Fring", "com.apple.AppStore", "com.audiofile.Interstate", "com.apple.MobileStore", "com.nimbuzz.Nimbuzz");};
EMoShunz said 10:47AM on 3-30-2009
great! we are currently testing all our options, but things are slow... big boat, small rudder.
Rafe H. said 9:37AM on 3-30-2009
iPod Touch + a cheap pay-as-you-go phone. The latter you use once a week for $100/year.
Apple couldn't be happier.
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Jesse said 11:06AM on 3-30-2009
How will Skype work on an iPod Touch 1G? Do I need a special headset?
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ill trooper said 11:48AM on 3-30-2009
Jesse, you need a mic, and this looks like a good option:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5174908/thumbtack-ipod-mic-is-as-cute-as-a-button-tack
Jesse said 11:53AM on 3-30-2009
But how will I listen to what the person is saying when the microphone is in the earphone jacket?
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Noah said 1:06PM on 3-30-2009
*sigh*
brentt said 5:18PM on 3-30-2009
...if i remember correctly the ipod touch 1G doesn't have a connector to allow it to work with a mic... so even if you were to purchase a mic/headphone combo, the ipod wouldn't have the hardware to interface with it. my guess is that the app won't be available for the 1G ipod, or if it is, it won't be able to make voice calls (perhaps you will be able to message though).
Jax said 1:34PM on 3-30-2009
How do they know it will be released tomorrow? If they already submitted the finished app to Apple nobody really knows how long it will take for Apple to approve it, do they? It could take days or weeks...
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Odineye said 2:53PM on 3-30-2009
I'm excited about this as well, as we use Skype in lieu of a landline and as a business phone.
However, I'm disheartened to hear that the integrated voicemail won't be a part of version 1. For our use the ability to check voicemail without firing up an additional computer is the primary reason I want a Skype app - and this is a feature notably missing from other apps like fring and Nimbuzz.
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