Would today's announcement of SkypeMobile mean that I can take my Motorla Droid to Europe (GSM country), put it in Airplane Mode, turn on WiFi and make Skype-Skype and SkypeOut calls from the WeFi?
“Thank you for inquiring about Skype mobile™. On February 16, 2010, Verizon Wireless and Skype announced a strategic relationship that will bring Skype mobile to Verizon Wireless devices. Skype mobile on Verizon Wireless will give users the opportunity to talk with friends, family, and businesses around the world without using their plan minutes. Skype mobile will be available on nine 3G Smartphones starting in March 2010. For more information about Skype mobile and to receive a reminder email, visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile.”
Also it would be impossible to use the Wifi function to skype because When you enable Airplane mode, all wireless radios on your phone are turned off, including the phone function, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
blamiya1 wrote:Also it would be impossible to use the Wifi function to skype because When you enable Airplane mode, all wireless radios on your phone are turned off, including the phone function, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
However, you can separately turn on Wi-Fi when your phone is in airplane mode. I have done it. Now with Skype I don't understand why it is restricted to 3G that doesn't really make any sense to me. That sounds about as useful as Google Voice. You mean I can make VOIP phone calls using my cell phone through the phone system using my minutes. Gee that is so much more useful than making a phone call directly through my phone. Seriously You can make Skype to Skype calls free but Skype out costs 2 cents per minute. If I can only use Skype to make calls where I get a strong signal what is the point?
I am still waiting for a solution that makes sense for me or my wife to be able to make and receive calls on our cell phones using the WiFi signal on the hill her grandmother lives on. No signal but a decent WiFi connection. As it stands the only solution is to go outside stand on a cliff balance on one foot holding the other one up in an L position behind me while talking on the phone being held in my left hand to my right ear. However, that is better than the AT&T folks who lose their signal at the bottom of the hill so that is something.
Google Voice is as close as I have found so far since I can't figure out how to get a SIP account for Fring and I am not sure Fring is on Blackberries which is what my wife has. At least with GV we can set it to initiate the call on her grandmother's phone without using their long distance charges but it still ties up their phone so not quite perfect.
Airplane mode with WiFi is the best way to use a phone there because the phone keeps looking for a signal and the battery goes dead quickly otherwise. just can't talk on the phone yet though.
Agreed, this is useless unless it works over wifi, and it doesn't.
I recognize that there may be legal issues abroad for using SkypeOut from a WiFi connection as it bypasses the local PTT in violation of ITU rules (however outmoded those rules may be). But at least we should be able to do Skype-to-Skype calls from a WiFi connection.
Being able to use the Motorola Droid in Airplane Mode with WiFi on is very valuable when traveling abroad as it is a viable e-mail and calendar client. CDMA phones are really US-centric.
fezzik wrote:
blamiya1 wrote:Also it would be impossible to use the Wifi function to skype because When you enable Airplane mode, all wireless radios on your phone are turned off, including the phone function, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
However, you can separately turn on Wi-Fi when your phone is in airplane mode. I have done it. Now with Skype I don't understand why it is restricted to 3G that doesn't really make any sense to me. That sounds about as useful as Google Voice. You mean I can make VOIP phone calls using my cell phone through the phone system using my minutes. Gee that is so much more useful than making a phone call directly through my phone. Seriously You can make Skype to Skype calls free but Skype out costs 2 cents per minute. If I can only use Skype to make calls where I get a strong signal what is the point?
I am still waiting for a solution that makes sense for me or my wife to be able to make and receive calls on our cell phones using the WiFi signal on the hill her grandmother lives on. No signal but a decent WiFi connection. As it stands the only solution is to go outside stand on a cliff balance on one foot holding the other one up in an L position behind me while talking on the phone being held in my left hand to my right ear. However, that is better than the AT&T folks who lose their signal at the bottom of the hill so that is something.
Google Voice is as close as I have found so far since I can't figure out how to get a SIP account for Fring and I am not sure Fring is on Blackberries which is what my wife has. At least with GV we can set it to initiate the call on her grandmother's phone without using their long distance charges but it still ties up their phone so not quite perfect.
Airplane mode with WiFi is the best way to use a phone there because the phone keeps looking for a signal and the battery goes dead quickly otherwise. just can't talk on the phone yet though.
You know Fezzik everything that you said is warrented and deserves it's own merits in their respects, however, I'm going to have to give you kudos for the bolded. That was just amazing.
blamiya1 wrote:“Thank you for inquiring about Skype mobile™. On February 16, 2010, Verizon Wireless and Skype announced a strategic relationship......"
I'm not sure what their "strategy" is. I have to turn off wifi to use skype? well, no more skype for me then. While I'm out of the country I'll have to use another voip platform. I'm kind of dissapointed because I was starting to get a pretty good set of contacts in skype. fring looks good, I'll just have to start shifting everybody over....
Verizon, please reconsider your strategy regarding Skype Mobile. The current plan is gimicky at best. At worst, it will alienate customers and force them to find other solutions. You should consider yourselves solution providers, and innovation leaders. Your TOS permits voip over wifi, please release Skype to its full potential.
Bill
Major bug if you have Eris forget it it doesnt detect Verizon network and no responce from skype and i have accounts with them plus it forces you to keep wifi off all times so time to fix and quit playing games .
This was finally supposed to make my phone usable abroad. The "good" folks at verizon just had to go and ruin that.
I'd understand forcing mobile to skype calls over your voice network. But why on earth wouldn't you allow WIFI calls. This would have been a win-win situation for you. It frees up your network and customers wouldn't allow your clients to purchase smaller plans. If a customer is calling to skype and a WIFI connection is available there is just no chance ANYONE would use airtime minutes to do this. This was supposed to make this phone even more awesome.
MAJOR FAIL Verizon. Shame on you. If you know you have the best domestic network why would you even be concerned about this. WIFI calls to skype would only work in your favor, especcially abroad.
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