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.
So it doesn’t matter which carrier you would need, DATA plan is pretty much the same across all carriers. This could be very interesting.
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They’ve had this for a while, haven’t they? Has anyone tried it out? What’s the quality like?
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I have tried it, doesn’t work that way, If you have the unlimited plan it doesn’t use it. Still need to use SkyeOut Credit, and it actually CALLS YOUR CELLPHONE!!!! Does nto go over yout data plan… VERY MISLEADING on their website.
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That’s lame, so very, very lame.
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Wait, it calls your cell phone, and then would use that to connect the Skype call? Extremely lame if that is the case. Never liked IM+ anyway but this would justify my feelings.
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Yeah it uses a conference on skyp and makes 2 skype out calls and uses skype out credit EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE UNLIMITED PLAN!!! This is why we need wifi on the blackberry, so we can get a native skype client
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Right, OR… just get a Windows Mobile device, which has been able to make REAL Skype calls over DATA for years already!
I don’t think the lack of WiFi, as Chris said, is the culprit here. I’ve used Skype on my WM phone with Wifi or cellular data (even tried it on Edge data… wasn’t great, but the person could hear me and understand. With 3G, skype is flawless).
Sounds like this blackberry client is a an overhyped misunderstood concept… Its been a while since I looked at the Blackberry OS, but last I checked BB’s were not able to have Voip because of limitations in the software layer.
More specifically, BB’s operating system did not give a developer direct access to key peices of hardware such as the CPU and sound processing input (mic), making hardware intensive third party apps impossible to devleop.
This, by the way, is why many consider it a stretch to consider the BB a “smartphone”, rather than a souped up feature phone.
Things may have changed (I hope so, for all you blackberry fans out there!), but I do beleive that this is the reason skype and voip do not exist for it, and not due to any lack of WiFi.
As far as IM+’s “solution”… I guess this is good if you want to reach your friends who are only on skype. I don’t know how practical this really is.
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Yeah Mark is probably right about the wifi not being needed and the BB API not allowing the access. I also understand his point about WM, I just try not to give M$ any more money than I have to…. Atleast RIM is trying to beat M$.
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well this sucks! I got all excited for nothing. Anyone have any GOOD suggestions for VoIP other than using a WinMo device. The thought of windows just makes me want to vomit and the horror stories I hear of cells with WinMo are just awful. Anyone tried gizmo on a nokia via wifi? Or something better even?!
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Sounds too good to be true. Plus, BBs won’t event support 3G until the 9xxx series. The latency and reliability of EDGE is far to sparse to have a conversation. This looks like a good recepie for frustration. It’s a start, but if it gets good enough, I am sure the carriers will do something to hinder it. My .2 euros.
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Chris, I’m with you on the anti-M$ issue, however I’m actually really impressed with my WinMo device. They’re more capable than you might think, and it just may surprise you.
If there were equal alternatives to WinMo, I’d give it shot. However, the sad truth is that MS seems to have “accidentally” done something right this time!
There is no alternative, at least for me. I really like the features WinMo offers, and until something better comes out, I say just live with it if you want high end features (like VoIP, remote desktop, Office apps, Open Source multimedia, and killer support for amazing third party applications -heck I can even broadcast my phone’s cam over the ‘net as a live webcam!).
Just my .02!
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This is not new at all. Webmessenger allows it… Sonar mobile does as well.
And when it calls you… it will use your minutes on your cell phone plan as well
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And thus the “deactivate your entire voice plan” is bullocks too. I love the normal IM+, but this is a sham. I tried the “desktop” version that works through BlackBerry, didn’t like it. Then tried the new “blackberry independant” version and didn’t see any change as far as the MAJOR flaw of you “initiate” the call using data, but Skype then calls the other Party, then calls you at the number you tell it to. No worky for me.
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I agree with the statement. I was happy for 2 minutes the time to make a phone call using IM+. I have the Unlimited Skypeout plan too. The 3rd minute I was shock to see my Skypeout credit shrink. After a few times to make sure I was correct, I am dissapointed in the IM+ service.
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can’t you sue for that miss leading bull shit? something like false advertisement?
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Does anyone have anything positive to say about this software \ service on BB?
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They give you a 7 day free trial?
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IM+ for Skype is a great way to communicate using Skype on mobile phones. It is however not meant for certain things. For example why would you in your right mind use Skype + mobile phone to communicate with voice inside of USA? There is nothing better and cheaper for that then ordinary mobile voice calls. IM+ for Skype is meant for people making 20-30 (or more) international calls a day. And only when traveling so they have to use mobile phone for communication.
Skype on Windows Mobile is a false promise. I tried Samsung BlackJack and 8525 and none of these have even close processing power to handle Voip calls. This is the thing of the future, but it is not there yet. If I am wrong, please let me know.
Using Skype for international calls is not only cheap but it provides unbeatable voice quality. And that is something IM+ for Skype is not providing yet. Call quality is not nearly as good as computer-to-phone calls. Service drops calls easily, much more often then ordinary mobile voice calls. Other then that it works.
At this point of time, nothing beats a good calling card for international calls, but Skype and supporters (Webmessenger and IM+) are close.
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“If I am wrong, please let me know.”
Ok, you’re wrong.
About many a thing. First of all, you’re missing the missing the point of skype- FREE CALLS. Skype is supposed to be about free calls to other users, and the fact that you can call a landline inexpensively is an extra feature.
Your statement that there “is nothing better and cheaper for that then ordinary mobile voice calls” is NOT true. Even if you wanted to call landlines with skype, its the cheapest option available because you can purchase an UNLIMITED plan for $30 a YEAR (and don’t forget, skype to skype is always FREE).
There is no mobile plan that is anywhere near as cheap as that, and you wouldn’t need to keep an eye on how many minutes you’ve used.
Now, as far as your Windows Mobile concerns, I’ll tell you that skype works great for me on an HTC Tornado (Tmobile SDA) and even an old ipaq 4150 pocket pc that I used to carry around.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume that since you mentioned the blackjack, you mean that you tried Skype over Cingular’s mobile data network, and not over WiFi as is intended.
Mobile data may be fast nowadays, (with cingular offering 3G 700kbps speeds in specific markets), but there is enough latency to discourage proper full-duplex handoff in voip situations.
Skype is not the most efficient voice algorithm anyway (SIP protocols are easier on bandwidth and processor), but it works when used properly. It is NOT a “false promise”.
Between you and me, I ditched using skype on my mobile for a free voip line from freedigits.com, which runs on my windows mobile device using peer2phone’s go-sip software. Its great, free phone calls where there is wifi!
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Hey Mark, could you tell me more about that setup you have there? I am leaving the country and NEED a VOIP phone. Does this setup you have work well? Does it only work with winmo? thanks.
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The setup I have only works with Smartphones capable of supporting VOIP.
That means WinMo, or some of the newer Symbian (Nokia S60) devices, etc… sadly, the Blackberry is not a true “smartphone” by the strict definition of the term, and therefore is incapable of stuff like this.
It took a while to tweak the setup to sound good, but now it does work well- I use it every day at my desk since I have zero bars at work, but have WiFi.
However, if you’re buying a new device just for this (if you don’t have a capable smartphone already), I’d say just buy one of those WiFi-enabled voip phones compatible with the popular SIP services such as vonage. Its cheaper than a wifi enabled cell phone, plus you won’t have the headache of configuring and troubleshooting.
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Mey Mark, thanks for letting me know I was wrong
The message I get is that if there is no WiFi, there is no Voip - especially Skype. I agree with this and this is what I call a false promise. Skype is advertizing voip calls using 3G and not WiFi. Everybody knows about WiFi, but I for one will not run to Starbucks to make a phone call! Skype advertizing actually promted me to invest more then 1K just to try voip over 3G, but it simply did not work at all. If anyone knows how to make this happen, please send a message here.
As for cost, if you want to make a phone call from your mobile phone in USA, you can not get any cheaper then using your minutes. I was not talking about PC-PC or PC-phone calls. Sorry if I was not precise.
Regarding IM+ for Skype which is the topic of this discussion I just wanted to add that I was on the conference call with Swiss group for one hour on Monday (from the train!!). It did work but they could barely hear me. On contrary I was able to hear them quite well. Now, using my minutes>international calls fee this would cost me probably more then 150 USD, but using IM+ it did cost three bucks. If only it worked better… It drains battery very nicely, they have to fix that.
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How did you setup your service? I’m getting a Blackberry 8800 with unlimited date plan from tmobile. Please tell me how can I setup skype with the freedigits? I really want to make calls over blackberry using the data plan. Please help. Thank you.
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This is all extremely dissapointing… I guess i didn’t read the fine print closely enough. I too am going out of the country and was going to get the international data plan and use skype and life was going to be great. After several hours today getting everything configured and being completely puzzled why my “unlimited” account wasn’t being recognized, it is now perfectly clear. this sucks.
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I had to go overseas a couple of weeks ago and did downlaod IM+ for Skype onto my Blackberry, especially since most of our company clients and my family members use Skype. I have to be honest, the application was a real life-saver. No pin or codes (e.g. calling cards), I press on the contact and am talking within seconds. I had to make a speech at one of the conferences and was nervous, so I had called my husband right from IM+ for Skype on my BB. I talked to him for approximately 10 minutes and only 1 euro was deducted from my account. Can’t beat that.
I think most of you need to update the application.
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