Skype: Dude, where's my 3G VoIP?

It's been nearly a week now since Apple lifted the restrictions against using VoIP over 3G to place calls on the iPhone. Within hours of the withdrawal of restrictions, iCall [iTunes Link] and fring [iTunes Link] both updated their backend to allow users to place calls over a 3G connection. In neither case was it even necessary to download an updated version of the app from the App Store; both iCall and fring basically just "flipped a switch" behind the scenes that allowed VoIP over 3G. After almost a week, neither app has been pulled from the App Store, so it seems VoIP over 3G is here to stay.

What about Skype? Skype is apparently "awaiting clarification" from Apple. They want to make sure the updated terms of the iPhone OS 3.2 SDK also apply to the 3.12 SDK before they submit an update. This caution from Skype is somewhat puzzling considering at least two other apps have been merrily humming along with VoIP over 3G enabled for almost a week without any punitive measures taken against them; fring even allows users to place VoIP calls over 3G through a Skype account. We contacted Skype three days ago to get some clarification of our own, but they haven't got back to us.

Here's the thing, Skype guys: if the state raises the speed limit on your local highway to 70 mph, changes all the signs, and stops pulling people over when they drive faster than 60, it's a pretty safe bet that you can drive 70 mph now. How much more clarification do you need? In the immortal words of Alan Shepard, "Why don't you fix your little problem and light this candle?"

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Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/01/apple-con…

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iPhone App Store SDK

It's been nearly a week now since Apple lifted the restrictions against using VoIP over 3G to place calls on the iPhone. Within hours of...

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Peter Parkes (Skype Blogger)

Hey guys â€“ Iâ€™ve just published a blog post with some more details:

http://bit.ly/bGx73f

Sorry to keep you waiting!

February 03 2010 at 11:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

alkalinejustin

I'm using Skype over WiFi at about 5 Mbs not 100 like a user mentioned, and it works perfect so sometimes you can't blame the app by the looks of it. Also, data uses volume not time so there are no minutes involved. Skype over 3G+ at about 5 Mbs also works great. Anyone saying they have issues with Skype either has a legitment problem or just doesn't understand that technology relies on many variables and an app can't always be blamed

February 02 2010 at 6:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Drenhead

Can someone tell me the advantage of using Skype over 3g? If you are using 3g, aren't you using your AT&T minutes anyway? Is it for international calling or something?

I just don't see the advantage right now.

February 02 2010 at 1:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Drenhead's comment

Using 3G data does not use your minutes.

February 02 2010 at 2:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mrtotes

Great I've found Skype on iPhone to be very usable.

So glad I'm on Pay As You Go on iPhone. Won't be needing much O2 credit anymore.

February 02 2010 at 1:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

NewtonHeath

Had great experience with skype on phone. Even though I user beejive for IM, I will probably drop that (and my aol/yahoo/ms/google im) once skype is fully functional on the iphone. I only keep aol/msn/yahoo for historic reasons and to be honest, most people have a skype account for im now. I would suspect skype are creating a solid version which will tip people like myself to stop using other im platforms as it will offer everything.

February 02 2010 at 11:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

punkassjim

OMG YOU PEOPLE CRY A LOT

February 02 2010 at 11:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Guillermo

Seriously.. Skype for iPhone is crap and buggy!! Since I sold my Macbook, I've been using Skype everyday with my gf. Man.. sometimes I get really frustrated. It crashes very often... I tried to re-install many times, but sooner or later it crashes again. Another thing is when I'm changing the position of my iphone (horizontally or vertically) many times.. the virtual keyboard gets stuck and there is nothing to do. I need to restart the app. And the last, and most annoying: try to chat on Skype during the day on your desktop, and then in the evening of the same day chat with the same person on your iPhone. Skype will load ALLLLLL the messages exchanged during the day. It will take 5/10 min or so. Ridiculous! Skype, please.. listen to your clients.. and give us a decent mac version as well.

February 02 2010 at 11:33 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

TXmacdude

I'm betting they want to test the quality and make sure it is ready for prime time. The other companies that came out of the gate early really have nothing to lose. Skype has a dedicated user base with expectations, as you can see from the previous comments. They don't want to lose additional customers over a sub-par implementation of VoIP on 3g.

February 02 2010 at 9:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to TXmacdude's comment

Rafe H.

This.

February 02 2010 at 10:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

BandiTT

And when will Skype finally support the use of a bluetooth headset with the iPhone???

February 02 2010 at 9:38 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Ryan Sandberg

This is exactly why I'm dropping Skype for my business this April. I'm just going to go with MagicJack. It's cheaper, and is just easier overall.

February 02 2010 at 9:33 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply