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Skype for iPhone adds landscape mode, but lacks push & 3G

Skype for the iPhone [iTunes link] has been updated to version 1.3. The software gains a landscape mode for instant messaging, the ability to give hints and tips to new users and a call quality monitor.

However, the app still lacks many major features that users want -- including push notification, Bluetooth support and the ability to call out over the AT&T 3G network.

Despite the claim of improved performance and the fix of a call drop issue when returning to a held call, reviewers on the App Store are also noting frequent crashes with this version of the software.


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iPhone App Review

Skype for the iPhone [iTunes link] has been updated to version 1.3. The software gains a landscape mode for instant messaging, the ability...
 

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joebutt22

How do you add volume to the skype app? I cannot hear when I get messages via skype, i always have to look at my phone, unlike the AIM app.

January 27 2010 at 8:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Peter Parkes (Skype Blogger)

Additionally - we've identified two bugs which seem to be causing crashes for some users. We're working to fix these - sorry for the interruption to normal service in the meantime.

January 19 2010 at 5:03 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Peter Parkes (Skype Blogger)

Just to clarify - it's Apple's restrictions which prevent us from distributing a 3G-enabled app in the App Store, not AT&T's.

As soon as Apple changes its rules, we'll submit a 3G-enabled version to the App Store.

You can IM and SMS over 3G in the current version, however.

January 19 2010 at 5:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
racco

Y'all know that the iPhone works on other networks and in other countries right? Their ain't no AT&T in my neck of the woods so why should they be affecting my iPhone?

Anyway, Skype over 3G is great

For me. calls with Skype over 3G are much better quality than using the regular O2 network.

Jailbreak FTW!

January 19 2010 at 4:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
thaiboy

It annoys me so much that the lack of 3G is due to AT&T's limitations.

I live in South Africa and our mobile network is among the best in the world and 3G limitation are unheard of.

So because of some crappy telecoms company a million miles away, people in other parts of the world have to suffer. I just dont get it.

January 19 2010 at 4:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dennis636223

oh god pleas oh god let the new iphone 4.0 have a camera in the front for video conferencing

January 19 2010 at 3:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rylin

Eh, this new version with supposed "performance fixes" is asstastically slow.
As soon as a new message starts to render, CPU usage hits 100%, and you can't type for a few seconds.

Scrolling has been officially f'ed over as well.
GG, Skype QA team.

January 19 2010 at 2:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Rylin's comment
Peter Parkes (Skype Blogger)

Does this happen every time you receive a message, or just shortly after startup?

January 19 2010 at 4:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rylin

@Peter Parkes: Every received message. It's particularly noticeable in group chats that have a bit of history. As an example, I have a group chat with five people in it (yours truly included), and as soon as a message starts appearing, I can't input anything until the animation(s) have completed.

It makes it kind of difficult to participate in active chats :-o

January 19 2010 at 5:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
T Webb

Why would Apple want to add a VoIP app? They gain nothing by creating the application but if 3rd party developers create it, they get 30%.

January 18 2010 at 6:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to T Webb's comment
Reuven

Actually - they gain more customers who buy the iPhone because it is now a better product with better, money-saving software.

And they don't get 30% if the third-party app is free, as Skype is.

January 19 2010 at 12:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Harkonian

Ah! You are correct. As of October AT&T lifted their ban on 3G VOIP apps running on their network. Thanks for the info.

In that case, I imagine we'll be seeing a built-in VOIP app from Apple in the upcoming 4.0 software.

January 18 2010 at 6:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Harkonian

Don't blame Skype for lack of 3G support. Blame AT&T.

January 18 2010 at 5:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Harkonian's comment
tony

AT&T approved VOIP over 3G, it's Apple who hasn't.

http://share.skype.com/sites/en/2009/12/2009_in_mobile.html?cm_mmc=socialm|twitter-_-global|intl|en-_-skypemobile-_-iphone3g

"Many of you have also been asking when we'll release a version which allows you to make calls over 3G - the holy grail of Skype on the mobile, if you like. We've had a 3G-capable version ready for some time now, but Apple's current restrictions mean that they won't allow us to make it available on the App Store for the moment."

January 18 2010 at 5:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
q00p

May I blame Skype for the lack of push support then?

January 18 2010 at 6:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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