SKYPE, Google Talk/Voice, and iPad/iPhone

TheBigEasy · May 3, 2010

http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/04/skype_and_the_apple_ipad.html

If you read the comments here, it appears I am not the only person frustrated with Skype.

Everyone in my company has used Skype daily for the last few years... we use it for all inter-office communication, conference calls, etc. We've spend a TON of money on Skype Pro subscriptions...

It works great, and I was excited when their first app came out for the iPhone. IMO, the whole concept of voice over IP on a 3G mobile network is going to completely revolutionize the communication industry. Initially, At&t was fighting this by blocking voice over IP apps... but apparently, I've heard they are finally going to allow.

Now I hear that Skype is signing some kind of exclusive deal with Verizon?? This will leave all At&t iPhone/iPad users out in the cold?? It's amazing to me that Skype doesn't have an iPad app yet...

All I can say is that the second Google merges their beta "Google Voice" technology with the "Google Talk" app that is built into our Google Apps Pro account... GOODBYE SKYPE.

Anyone have any better idea of what the real story is?

Fast_ian · May 3, 2010

Your post got my attention!..... A little Googling around however didn't turn up anything that suggests "exclusivity" for Verizon. The following lifted from a Wired article that appeared a few days back:

Starting Thursday, Verizon will pre-install a version of Skype Mobile on nine Blackberry and Android handsets. This partnership puts a nice little crack in the wall between traditional telcos and internet telephony providers, who have redefined what it means and should cost to make a phone call. But the full promise of mobile internet telephony is still a ways off (though perhaps only a few more weeks).

The integration of Skype mobile does give Verizon one huge advantage you can now receive internet calls spontaneously on a standard handset but it falls far short of an implementation that would unleash the full power of Skype on a mobile device.

And it isnt really internet telephony at all: Skype calls are routed through Verizons network, you cant receive calls placed to your online numbers, you cant use Skype (and its cheaper calling plans) to place calls to other telephones. Skype on Verizon doesnt even work under Wi-Fi, where Skype sort of lives.
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The B/Berry and Android are multitasking, so I guess you could have it running in the background to receive calls, which is nice.However, iPhone OS4 *should* also do this within a month or so.

I don't think there's a "story" here..... Having said that, buried at the bottom of the same article, my emphasis added:

If the reports of Apples iPhone HD are accurate, then third-party multitasking will be part of OS 4. That could make the iPhone the more compelling Skype delivery system but wait: The other part of those reports is that Apple is now making a phone for Verizon, too.
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Cheers,
Ian

TheBigEasy · May 3, 2010

Hi Ian. Yes, the 4.0 OS can't come soon enough. Where are you reading about the Verizon deal?

These are some of the things I've been reading re: Verizon (for some reason, my link to the blog is being re-directed to a affiliate sign up page).

Dear Peter (or whom it may concern),

I am a consumer on the outside looking in and this is what I see:

I see a company that has a massive install base, not just in the USA but worldwide which is no easy feat and something to be proud of for sure. The VOIP over 3G ban was lifted and while I was expecting to see Skype-over-3G(also ready to buy an iPhone plus Skype yearly subscriptions) there was instead nothing except "coming soon".

The real kick in the teeth came when out of no where, the Verizon-Skype partnership was announced leaving everyone else puzzled. My only question at this point is, "Was it worth it?" Was it worth it to sign a contract with Verizon a.k.a Big Red (how fitting a name) and lose so much already existing and potential customers?

How much subscribers does Verizon have to date? 80 Million maybe? How many of those have Blackberry/Android devices? Lets be generous and say 25%, so 20 Million....and how many will actual use Skype? 10% or 2 Million...so lets go back and look at the big picture...

You took 2 Million POTENTIAL Verizon subscribers over your already existing worldwide install base of 50+ Million??? Wow...just wow. I hope the company got a lot of money from Verizon for that move.

Lets not act like blind fools, we are people not dumb animals. It's very clear and OBVIOUS that the contract with Verizon is going to block the iPhone/iPad app from operating over 3G, especially since it's an "exclusive" contract. My only hope at this point is that Skype will learn a thing or two about contracts and why they're so bad during their venture with Verizon.

As for myself, my friends, family, and company...currently searching for another solution.
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Peter,

Thank you for proactively announcing that there isn't a SKYPE APP for the IPAD. It's a strategically better business decision to the millions of Skype subscribers know now, that "search and wonder."

The FCC, AT&T and Apple all "green-lighted" voice-over-3G six months ago, yet there is still no SKYPE for iPhone 3G APP, despite multiple "promises" (and even an official Skype video) from you and your colleagues indicating that the release of a SKYPE for iPhone 3G APP was imminent two months ago. In my own (humble) opinion, I believe the reason we've yet to see "SKYPE over iPhone 3G" is that AT&T's 3G network in the USA is not yet solid and stable enough to yield the quality of calling over AT&T 3G that SKYPE (rightfully) believes we should experience. While it's likely you don't wish to criticize your "partners" at AT&T or APPLE, unfortunately, SKYPE alone "takes the blame" for not being forthright with its loyal APPLE customer base.

SKYPE is a magnificent product that I've enjoyed since its very beginning. I have multiple "SKYPE-IN" phone numbers and "SKYPE-OUT" subscriptions, yet, I'm admittedly disappointed by the glaring absence of a SKYPE for iPhone 3G APP, and, today, by a SKYPE for iPad APP. To say in your comments that "you'll be working on such an APP" now that the iPad has been released is questionable, given the multitude of other developers who released their IPAD APPs today.

I've been a beta-tester for Google Voice since last year. While I'm loyal to SKYPE and "hope for the best" from SKYPE, you and your colleagues would be well-advised to "know your competition," as Google Voice, even in beta is a magnificent product that far exceeds my expectations, especially with "caller-announce."

I'm sure my fellow, loyal, long-time SKYPE users would very much appreciate your reply to these "constructive" comments.

There's an APP for THAT!

Thank you for your time, Peter.
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Our company has been waiting for Skype of 3G since last year but Skype mgmt has avoided any discussions--especially since their new arrangement with Verizon Wireless. We're looking at moving over 300 of our people off of Skype to another alternative. Have also started working with our partners to make those changes as well. Skype has proven to be a very unreliable company to deal with--especially signing up with a company (like VZW) that has little clout in the international business community.
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Fast_ian · May 3, 2010

TheBigEasy said: ↑

Hi Ian. Yes, the 4.0 OS can't come soon enough.
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+1

Having said that, this is "classic" Apple. I can't remember where I read it, but something like; "They take something small, simple and painstakingly well considered. They ruthlessly cut features to derive the absolute minimum core product they can start with. They polish those features to a shiny intensity, and launch it."

The "original" iPhone, with OS1 now appears almost "quaint" - No MMS, no this, no that, no multitasking etc etc - Now they've got a good handle on this thing, it's time to allow multitasking - Hopefully these things can protect their OS in ways that the evil empire has never managed to achieve [OK, it does seem that Windoze 7 is pretty good!]

Where are you reading about the Verizon deal?
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The above came from Wired:

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/03/verizon-skype-less-than-mobile-voip-nirvana-but-were-getting-closer/

Was one result of Googling "Skype Verizon deal".

I also noted that this deal *only* allows Skype over 3G - No wi-fi (at least yet) - And "skype out" (etc) will continue to use your minutes...... Basically, the opposite of what AT&T are doing.......

Cheers,
Ian

SRT Mike · May 3, 2010

VOIP over 3G will revolutionize the communication industry when it comes out?

Hmm, I've been doing it on my Nokia E71 for 2 years now - it's not new.

Also, AT&T has no ability to block apps, only Apple can block apps.

And finally, Google has/had a Voice app for the iPhone for a long time. Apple blocked it.

It will take a lot, lot, lot more than Apple allowing Google Voice on the iPhone to displace Skype.

TestShoot · May 5, 2010

I love Skype. I don't have a cellphone, I went pure Skype 3 years ago and am happy. A 10 minute Skype call over my Sprint Overdrive 3g/4g hotspot showed me tipping the scales at just under 2mb of data. At that rate, you could have 426 hours, and 20 minutes of talk time or 25,580 minutes.

430man · May 9, 2011

I think there are some fundamental misunderstandings about how Skype on Android/Verizon works.

After you install the skype app and log in, you get your Skype contacts. (only in Skype, not in the regular contacts area) If I dial someone from my Skype contacts and they are in the U.S., the call is NOT placed via Skype, it is placed as a regular VZW call. (so yes that burns minutes)

If the contact is Skype only (Skype to Skype) it dials it as a Skype call and I don't get charged a penny.

If a Skyper calls me, it shows up (usually) as a contact name but sometimes I get "Skype Call" or sometimes gibberish on my Caller Id.

If I dial a regular voice number internationally, I have my phone set to redirect international calls to skype so I don't burn VZW minutes or pay their international rates.. -- I do however have to prepay for international airtime on Skype. (You might be able to get a Skype out international and not pre-pay but that's irrespective of how the app works, I just prepay for international.)

The app is fairly decent although somewhat buggy. The quality is quite acceptable. (and I have hour long international calls often)

One of the big knocks on it is that it is 3G only. If you think about why, that is logical. If they let you use it via wifi, (after you are out of contract) you could use your Droid as a wifi phone and just pay Skype 30 bucks a year or whatever it is. VZW don't play that.

But I can do that anyway.... (see next section)
-----------

OP if you really want Voip over 3G, You can download SIPDoid or any number of SIP clients. SIPDroid is cool although the version I have will terminate your voice call if a VOIP call comes in. (ouch) -- They have probably fixed this by now.. I should look for a newer client. But you get all the cool VOIP features like simultaneous ring etc.

BTW this will get you use any Android tablet with a mic as a phone. Sweet.

430man · May 10, 2011

So much for any Google/Facebook Skype merger...

Microsoft whipped out the crazy money and is apparently buying Skype for an incredible sum...

Microsoft set to buy Skype for $8.5bn in biggest deal in history

* Deal going ahead despite Skype making overall loss of $7million last year
* 663 million registered on Skype but 124 million active users each month
* Move sparks mixed reaction from Silicone Valley
* Microsoft shares fell by 1.87 per cent at time of opening

Microsoft is on the verge of buying Skype for $8.5billion - despite the Internet phone service making a loss of $7million last year. ...

Skype was formed in 2003 in Luxembourg and originally sold to eBay in 2005 for $3.1 billion. ... By 2009 eBay had had enough and sold 70 per cent of Skype to a consortium of investors for $2.75billion.

It retained about 30 per cent however. ...

Last week rumours were circulating that Google and Facebook were sniffing round in a potential deal with Skype which could have influenced Microsoft's decision. But according to a TechCrunch source Google came in second allegedly bidding just $4billion for Skype - less than half of what Microsoft forked out for it.
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$8.5 BILLION? When you out spend google by double, you probably paid too much.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1385472/Microsoft-buy-internet-phone-service-Skype-8-5bn.html

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