In a nutshell...
Skype’s VoIP free call services finally comes to the Java-based mobile blower.
What is it good for?
Accessing your Skype account and contacts on the hop and making free(ish) calls anywhere, anytime.
Judgement time…
First some background. Skype is the most popular VoIP outfit on the planet, with over 246 million subscribers tuned into its bleeding simple to use calls over the internet service. You see, it offers free calls to fellow Skypians no matter where they are in the world - a mouth watering deal that 246 million of us (and counting) seemingly can’t refuse.
Well, now, after skirting around the mobile market with dedicated blowers (3 Skypephone), exclusive services for networks (3 X-Series range) and apps for Windows Mobile smarties and the Nokia N800/N810 Internet Tablet, Skype has finally gone and made the jump into the mainstream, with a Beta app for Java-based blowers to make calls over the network.
The Nokia N95 is one of 50 compatible phones (the list is growing rapidly), so we downloaded the piece of software via the handset’s web browser. You must have a Skype account already on the go, so after the app installs, just pop in your username and password.
The app does the leg work of downloading your contacts and Skype is spot on with claims that it works just like its older desktop cousin. You can tinker with your status, profile and search for contacts across the globe. You’re now ready gabber to your Skype buddies over the air.
Unfortunately we hit some problems and every time made a phone call via 3G we were confronted with network busy. It persisted, so disappointingly we were unable to make any calls. Instant Messaging, however, worked a treat and we chatted away until our thumbs got tired.
Let’s be upfront. You will need to have an unlimited data plan or using Skype mobile regularly will provoke bill shock and trip to A&E. The longer you’re signed in, the bigger your contact list and the more instant messages you send - they’ll all cost you more lolly. So you can see why an all-you-can-scoff data plan is essential.
We’ve established that making phones calls to fellow dabblers cost zero pence apart from the regular data charges. Skype mobile also comes into its own if you have to make calls to landlines in other countries while out and about. First you will need to sign up to a Skype-out monthly unlimited call package (€2.95 to UK landlines, €3.95 to Europe and €8.95 worldwide) and then using Skype’s example of a 1GB £5 a month Orange data plan, you can make between 1000 and 5000 minutes worth of blather a month to mum back in Rio (an average call eats between 3-16kbps of data). This is a wallet-friendly way if you need to constantly stay in contact with relatives based in different continents.
It’s early days and we did encounter teething problems but in theory, when it warms up, for simple peer-to-peer calls on the bounce Skype Mobile is, er, peerless. Just remember to pack that unlimited data plan!