Skype is here

[SeeK]

The lack of 3G calling in the US in not Skype's fault. It's a problem with the US' lack of competition regulations that allow companies like Verizon to lock that functionality to a single company. Just like the previous poster states, under normal circumstances Skype as a company would have nothing to gain from not letting you call over 3G. Blame Verizon and move to Europe if it's such a big problem.

 

[ilyaamex]

You really think Skype DOESN'T want you to use their service to make calls from anywhere (away from wifi)? Think about it...does Sprint, Tmobile, AT&T, etc WANT you to not use their minutes to make calls? Verizon has to have some type of deal with Skype to allow calls over 3G.

Exactly. That is what's pissing me off. The big companies (e.g. Verizon) sitting on top of the world, preventing progress(!) just so they can keep sucking money out of us for useless voice plans a bit longer.

And Skype? Could have just kept doing their thing and providing great service (FUNCTIONAL apps included) instead of sucking onto Verizon's golden tit. I'm just disappointed, they changed their ways of running business.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but for now this is how I see things.

 

[technomom]

Yes, you can sync and link

I haven't tried it myself, but the option at the bottom in Settings lets you sync with what the app calls "Android Contacts". Might be the same thing, might not be.

I have to say though, I'm quite pleased. It sure took a while, but the app is stylish, fast and it's not a noticeable drain on the battery (Nimbuzz uses quite a bit of battery at times). Once they get A2SD and video calling in there, we're all set. Even though I don't have a forward facing camera. xD

Thank you. It took me a while to actually find "Settings" (hint: My Info->Menu) From there, it was fairly straightforward to sync. Once it did that, I could indeed "Link" my Skype users with their Android / Google Mail Contact entries. Very nice.

 

[ilyaamex]

The lack of 3G calling in the US in not Skype's fault. It's a problem with the US' lack of competition regulations that allow companies like Verizon to lock that functionality to a single company. Just like the previous poster states, under normal circumstances Skype as a company would have nothing to gain from not letting you call over 3G. Blame Verizon and move to Europe if it's such a big problem.

Are you saying Skype had no choice but to sign an exclusive contract with Verizon?

 

[SeeK]

Are you saying Skype had no choice but to sign an exclusive contract with Verizon?

Of course not, though I see how my post probably sounds that way. They should've said no, but I just think that the US needs laws that would've prohibited Verizon ever suggesting the deal in the first place.

 

[ilyaamex]

Of course not, though I see how my post probably sounds that way. They should've said no, but I just think that the US needs laws that would've prohibited Verizon ever suggesting the deal in the first place.

Yes, absolutely agree.

 

[Roustermiller]

Need some Skype friends add me Roustermiller with this app I don't miss bbm as much

 

[ilyaamex]

Absolutely disagree.

Exclusive agreements are how many companies work and introduce value into their product. iPhone on ATT, Sunday Ticket on DirecTV, Skype on Verizon, Coke or Pepsi (but not both) at your favorite restaurant, exclusive games on XBOX/PS3/Wii, etc.

Please note that this is not the case in Europe (except for games, as they are coming from the US).

The thing with Skype though...I personally think there's more money to be had (by Skype) by NOT signing that deal with Verizon. Apparently they and their big team of analysts, lawyers, accountants, and people smarter than me thought differently though.

You're probably right.


Anyway, this is a whole other discussion.

 

[DesertSilver#AC]

Of course not, though I see how my post probably sounds that way. They should've said no, but I just think that the US needs laws that would've prohibited Verizon ever suggesting the deal in the first place.

We'll never know how the deal went down but a possibility could have been that Verizon was the ONLY one to agree to 3G calls so Skype developed for them first. So instead of thinking Skype only wanted to work with Verizon, maybe Verizon was the only one that wanted to work with Skype. Just a thought...

 

[project.in.process]

cool app.

but wifi is the dealbreaker.

no video chat? strike 1

only call via wifi? strike 2

...anyone want to add a strike 3? (no, Galaxy S users--the complaint of it not working on your handset is invalid)

i'm this close to uninstalling. i see no point in this until video is supported AND/OR non-wifi calls are enabled.

 

[whitenack]

cool app.

but wifi is the dealbreaker.

no video chat? strike 1

only call via wifi? strike 2

...anyone want to add a strike 3? (no, Galaxy S users--the complaint of it not working on your handset is invalid)

i'm this close to uninstalling. i see no point in this until video is supported AND/OR non-wifi calls are enabled.

For me, Strike 3 is no audible notification of incoming IM. But I seem to be the only one talking about that, so maybe it is just me?

 

[SeeK]

For me, Strike 3 is no audible notification of incoming IM. But I seem to be the only one talking about that, so maybe it is just me?

No, not just you. That's a bit annoying for me as well, but I can only assume that'll be fixed in the coming updates. I can only hope they'll do a better job maintaining this app than they did getting it out in the first place.

 

[ilyaamex]

We'll never know how the deal went down but a possibility could have been that Verizon was the ONLY one to agree to 3G calls so Skype developed for them first. So instead of thinking Skype only wanted to work with Verizon, maybe Verizon was the only one that wanted to work with Skype. Just a thought...

Good thought, but it seems to me that the restriction is coming from Skype, not the carriers. As far as carriers are concerned, it's just another app that uses data.

 

[ilyaamex]

No, it's an app that has the possibility of replacing their minutes (calls on Skype instead of calls against the monthly minute allowance). I'm sure overages on minutes makes them a lot of money.

So does the text messaging, yet apps like Google Voice are openly available and allow for free texting.

 

[Sotoman7]

"We're sorry, but we couldn't sign you in. Please try again later." worked great this morning but now it doesn't strange. Evo 4G

 

[oldpapa49]

I'm in the same boat with you Sotoman7, worked this morning and not at all now on my EVO..

I have to guess there at least 3 people using it up..

Old

 

[wmtoandroid]

I'm in Canada and my first attempt to call a landline using my data connection was successful.

However, things took a turn for the worse.

I could no longer login after the first time. Strike one.

It ran as a service after being killed (there is no exit). Strike two.

It messed up my devices ability to sync email, calendars, contacts, etc. Strike three. This was remedied after uninstalling the app.

I hope the update it to correct these issues as the one call I made sounded great and I could use this for long distance calls.

 

[eyesparky]

Works really well (over wifi and 3g here in UK) but I have had to uninstall it for now as I can't spare circa 14MB of phone storage (particularly with the Froyo HTC Desire going wobbly when you reach 10% user memory or less). Frustrating. I hope they introduce apps to sd quickly (and comprehensively ... too many apps with apps to sd leave the majority of the app on the phone). Anyway, a step in the right direction.

 

[charliebrown408]

Hurra..!!
Now you can use skype in your android application mobile phones.!!
Its free available in your official mobile sites. Now onwards you can stay always online using skype.