SkypeOut Calls From A BlackBerry
The first client to provide Skype ability to the Blackberry platform is from SHAPE Services with their latest IM+ release. This new software will run you $25 smackaroos. Here’s the kicker, not only does it allow you to IM and chat with all of your friends on Skype, but you can also make voice calls through 3G/GSM/CDMA networks. You don’t even need WiFi. To make a call to a Skype user it’s free, and calls to cell phones and land lines are charged a very small amount from your SkypeOut account. If you’ve paid $24.95 for unlimited SkypeOut for the year, all of your calls are free!. This is amazing news for BlackBerry users. You can deactivate your entire voice plan, and just pay for BlackBerry data, as unlimited Skype calls would only cost $24.95/year. You don’t even need a desktop client, this thing runs right from the BlackBerry. Theorectically.
Are you using this on a blackberry with WiFi? There’s something terribly wrong here. IM+ for Skype ONLY uses data for initiating the call, not for carrying the call. Skype calls you (charging you a connection fee of Skype Forwarding if you don’t have unlimited) and calls the other party (using Skype Out, if you’re calling internationally OR if you don’t have unlimited). Not one single call is free.
Now, when I tried this in the past I was also using an unlimited account and was still being charged the connection fee. I just noticed when trying it again it wasn’t going to charge me the connection fee now. Perhaps that was one of the changes.
So, I guess this is actually good news IF you set your IM+ to route the call to a land line. Otherwise you’re still using minutes because it doesn’t us a data plan to carry the call, only to initiate it.
As for BlackBerrys with WiFi, I have NO clue (although I suspect since calls would be routed through the WiFi connection, yes it would “use” WiFi, but not because of the unlimited data plan)
After reading all the comments, I perhaps am even more confused than when I began… What exactly is the point, at all, for anyone, of using IM+ Skype?
(I am a United States user)
Is there any use, at all, for IM+ Skype on a BlackBerry for calling (back into the US) while traveling outside the US?
Is there any use for IM+ Skype for BB while in the US?
If IM+ Skype uses my voice minutes anyways, why not just make a regular voice call?
Is the only use of this software to connect to Skype users who don’t have a regular telephone?
I agree, woodi68; the spread of misinformation in this context makes me highly suspect of the company and its products.
This is really Twisted…
The bottom Line is … If the IM+ calls you back then you need voice. Why would anyone refer to voice quality, if the stupid thing is using skype to call you anyway. So IM+ doesn’t add VOIP to your blackberry… it simply controls SKYPE to call you on your cell (or other line)… I.E uses SKYPE’s VOIP infrastructure to create a link between 2 Phone lines (may be cell phones or landlines)
So If you can get the call on a local line you save money (no roaming LD on your cell) only skype charges to make the call to whatever country you are in…
This truely SUCKS… I have an 8320, WiFi, MIC and speaker…. Why can’t I get a Java applet that will use skype servers to give me a VOIP CALL… may be I should write one, or get a windows phone…
That ad is very, very miss leading. Exspecially for Blackberry user’s. The “You can deactivate your entire voice plan, and just pay for BlackBerry data, as unlimited Skype calls would only cost $24.95/year. You don’t even need a desktop client, this thing runs right from the BlackBerry. Theorectically” thing is a bunch of crap!!!!!
This needs to be clarified. I initiated a SkypeOut call to the US via my Blackberry while in Chile, thinking I would be charged 5 cents a min or less. Turns out that since Skype has to call the Blackberry back, I was socked for $2 minute (approx) from T-Mobile for having received an international roaming call. So the 27 mins I spent talking ended up costing me over 50 bucks!!
I tried IM+ for BB and it works great. My voice plan for my cell is unlimited incoming and I have unlimited data as well. I also have SkypeOut Unlimited for Canada and US and tried several times to confirm there are no charges…
This Skype needs a data plan to work. I have an 8320 with wifi and it is useless. Skype works well in a wifi environment giving long distance calls for free. This way, your data plan gets charged.
What brandname unit do you use your WinMo on.
I am replacing a UT Starcom unit which I am not happy with. the old model of that brand was very ggod but no WiFi.
Appreciate the info.
What model of BB do you use. Also does one need anything other than the skype program from their website.
I have loaded the trial version of skype+IM on my blackberry….everything appears to be ok, however, I cannot figure how to answer an incoming call. The call rings, the software comes up with the three options – green phone, red something and voicemail…however…I can’t figure out how to actually get a connection.
Anyone? I have the blackberry curve with AT&T
Does iSkoot work just the same for BB?
I am using a pretty old model 7290.
So, i am just moved to Mexico, and cell phones here are a joke. it is a big monopoly and such things as free weekends or nights or other services are unheard of. Besides that everything cell phone kind is comparatively more expensive. So I am trying to find a way to call the US and Canada from my mobile here. Keeping tmobile is expensive and woulndt make sense. But i thought bb with skype could work. I thought i could just download some sort of skype onto my bb and use my skypeout credit, over data or wifi.but apparently it cannot. Am i correct?
Can i do something like this then using winmo?
What I really need is international calls on my mobile.
Any suggestions on what would be the cheapest and easiest to use to have calls on my mobile all the time?
I also tried the Skype IM+ for Blackberry. I also have a blackberry Curve and ran into the same problem. Could not answer. I got my money back…. I also found you could not call skype to skype without having a skype out account. Was not too pleased.
For those of you who are looking for Free calls you really need to look at Cuee’s commments. This seems to be the best setup for getting unlimited calls using your BB as far as i’m concerned. I’ve been doing this too and it seems to work pretty well.
Misleading!!
If you pay for airtime already, you would now be paying, airtime, data, and skype credits … WTF, what a rip off.
I even bought 14$00 skype credit before I figured this out.
If you only have a data plan and want a inexpensive way to make calls, this thing is bullshit.
If you travel and make LD calls often, then I guess it may be ok.
I heard that I would need to keep my T-Mobile EDGE cell service, set one of the MyFavs (I have the MyFavs 5 plan) as an IM+, iSkoot call back number to avoid a carrier connection fee to use Skype-Out.
Can you not just use your bb as if it were your laptop and make skype calls in this manner? Forgive me if i am stupid but i am new to this.
Being a long-time advocate of cheaper cell phone services, Skype has never interested me on a smartphone, the download process, wait for wifi access, cost of data plans (remember skype relies on Internet access), o/s issues etc and it is not supported by all phones… I found a very simple way to call long distance on cell phones with no pre-paid, recharge type stuff, signup for free, and you get low cheap rates and it works with any phone or carrier. You dont need skype on the iphone try out CellLongDistance.com
Rob – Wireless Consumer advocate
What you all want is the native Skype client for specific Blackberrys like the Bold. Skype will release it this May 2009. Then all the problems go away and you truly can call any number for a flat ~$30 /yr! And it works!
Does anyone know what date Skype will be releasing the Blackberry for Skype app? I’ve been checking Skype.com/m daily since May 1st hoping its out now, but no such luck as of yet. Any insight to release date would be great, if anyone has the 411.
Thanks
Philly
I use Skype internationally on my PSP for FREE anywhere I have Wifi.
O.K., so say I and my friend both have blackberries with the $30 unlimited internet dat plan thru Verizon and we both have skype, can we call each other, skype-skype on out blackberries for free then? Or if I have my blackberry, can I call someone on their computer also using skype-to-skype? One more thing, do I need a webcam, and will it work ok on the blackberry usb port?
Thanks, Mike
If you’re both on Verizon calls to one another are already free. Skype is useless.
However, Skype on a BlackBerry does NOT use data plan to connect the call. Skype calls your BlackBerry (using your minutes) then calls your party (using their minutes too if they are on a mobile).
Only exception is if one or both of you have a WiFi enabled BlackBerry.
You cannot connect a webcam to a BlackBerry.
Hope this helps.
Only good use for Skype on your BlackBerry is to chat with your fellow Skype users. Chat meaning text chat.