Comments on: SkypeOut Calls From A BlackBerry

By: Richard Wood

Richard Wood — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:49:01 +0000

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.

By: mike

mike — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 06:38:15 +0000

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

By: John

John — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:36:47 +0000

I use Skype internationally on my PSP for FREE anywhere I have Wifi.

By: Philly

Philly — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:38:23 +0000

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

By: Tempesto

Tempesto — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:22:27 +0000

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!

By: robwirlessadvocate

robwirlessadvocate — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:02:33 +0000

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

By: FatherOfCash

FatherOfCash — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:38:13 +0000

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.

By: mark9009

mark9009 — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:46:52 +0000

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.

By: steve

steve — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:11:47 +0000

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.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:31:48 +0000

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.

By: Michi

Michi — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:49:11 +0000

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.

By: Sant

Sant — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:12:01 +0000

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?

By: Torfi

Torfi — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:12:25 +0000

Does iSkoot work just the same for BB?
I am using a pretty old model 7290.

By: sperry

sperry — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:08:21 +0000

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

By: Seamus Henry

Seamus Henry — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:33:02 +0000

What model of BB do you use. Also does one need anything other than the skype program from their website.

By: Seamus Henry

Seamus Henry — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:07:39 +0000

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.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:36:17 +0000

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.

By: cuee

cuee — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:01:43 +0000

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…

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:55:02 +0000

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!!

By: prophettH

prophettH — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:33:02 +0000

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!!!!!

By: Nashaat

Nashaat — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:53:05 +0000

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…

By: Confused

Confused — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:38:17 +0000

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.

By: woodi68

woodi68 — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:24:00 +0000

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)

By: Irene

Irene — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:43:21 +0000

Guys, I’ve read a lot of your comments, but I can say that I’m using IM+ for Skype since summer and really happy with it.
First of all I signed for Skype Unlimited Calling plan, so I can call for free inside the US.
Secondly I have set up an Unlimited data plan and I am not charged for the data, which is used by IM+ for Skype, though not much, but still. BTW, woodi68, are you sure you have set up everything right, may be there are some carrier limits or smth at your side, because Unlimited data plan really works fine for me!
When I’m calling outside the USA I am charged SkypeOut credits for the calls. But I consider this as a payment for the use of Skype on my mobile. It’s always with me. I can receive calls even when I’m not in front of my PC, but traveling, at work or anywhere else.
And as far as I understand, if you use IM+ for Skype in WiFi hotspot you will only be charged for airtime minutes.

By: tracy

tracy — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:45:35 +0000

I purchased IM+ Skype for my BB 8100 last week. I believed I would be able to make Skype to Skype calls for free via my data plan. THIS DOES NOT WORK. EVERY TIME I attempt to make a call to another skype user I am charged a for the connection and for the minutes. Then TMOBILE charges for the minutes used since the app calls my cell phone once the connection is made.

I want my money back.

Hope this helps.

By: Gavin P

Gavin P — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:17:59 +0000

WTF! Can anyone give a hard and fast ruling on this software.

I am in the UK

We have a branch in OZ and there are times that we may want to call them from our blackberry when on teh road (still in uk) Is this benefical to us ?

If our users are traveling over to oz and they want to call back to us in the uk is this benefical?

Is there a lot of arsing around involved with this as some people arent that technically minded so it becomes extremely difficult if there is.

Many Thanks
Gavin

By: woodi68

woodi68 — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:25:58 +0000

You are correct. You would initiate from you BlackBerry, but the call would be routed to which ever call back number you indicated, could be a Tokyo number, could be your handset. If you do choose your BB, then you would be paying for international airtime for an incoming call, PLUS the (though inexpensive) Skype call time for the “forwarded” call. Since we’re refering to Tokyo, I would assume you dont’ have roaming service there.

One thing I’m unclear of with the 8820 is it’s WiFi capabilities. If you are at a hotspot or WiFi area and you receive a call then it comes through over your WiFi connection and NOT your cellular connection? If that’s the case, you wouldn’t be using your minutes I presume which I would hope would also mean you wouldn’t be charged for international airtime.

When they refer to “you don’t even need WiFi” they mean because the call doesn’t use data, it is a normal phone call. That’s why WiFi isn’t required. This is a separate WiFi situation than you are experiencing with your 8820.

Once again, Helen attempts to confuse by refering to the GSM band. I’m on Verizon and this works fine too. The reason? Well, because the ONLY use it has for the data connection is to initiate the call or to chat. The call is not carried by any data network. The call is a call.

Also, I’m not sure where “Skype Certification” ever entered the conversation.

Helen, I don’t think you’re doing your company ANY justice by making more misleading comments. Your company being Shape Services.

I like your products a lot, but the more inacurate infomration you try spreading through “user” comments, the less I trust the integrity of your company.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:06:42 +0000

While IM+ may work in any GSM band, my blackberry doesn’t. Doesn’t that make a difference? I know the original GB article stated “you don’t even need Wi-Fi!”, but in this case, I would need it, right? Since the 8820 doesn’t at all function on the UMTS 2100 band that Japan uses.

Also, this whole setting of a call-back number confuses me. If I were state-side, I’d set it to be my own landline, and that’s that. But what about if I’m in a coffee shop in Tokyo? I can’t be tying up their phone. I was hoping I’d actually be using my Blackberry handset to do the talking, but I’m getting the impression I’d only be using the BB to initiate the process.

Is this incorrect?

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:14:58 +0000

Eric, IM+ for Skype is completely network independent and works in any GSM band. I travel a lot myself and that’s how I know. You are lucky to have a Wi-Fi enabled Blackberry for you can save on data now.
As for the comments from woodi68 I have to say that so far IM+ for Skype is the only application supporting Skype on BlackBerry that delivers the kind of voice quality you get with regular Skype, otherwise it wouldn’t have been certified.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 07:36:51 +0000

Ok, guys. There are many comments here about calls made using IM+ on mobile devices within the US/Canada and the relative costs/pros/cons of doing so.

My issue is this – if I purchase a client like this (for my Blackberry 8820) I need it to work outside of the US ONLY, outside of the GSM band that the phone and my carrier (AT&T) supports, specifically Japan. However, there’re Wi-Fi spots everywhere. I’ve got unlimited minutes and data anyway inside the US, so that’s kinda moot for me. But if I can just Skype to my friends and family from any convenient hotspot while traveling – ESpecially where there is NO roaming network I can connect to… Then I’d consider it. And i don’t really care if it’s free or not, although the cheaper the better…

So, Helen? Woodi68? Any tips?