3G Skype not coming to iPhone for some time?
updated 01:30 pm EDT, Fri April 9, 2010
Famous VoIP app continues to be crippled
In spite of a demonstration of Skype running with new features on iPhone 4.0 firmware, 3G support for the VoIP app may not be coming for a while, a Wired article suggests. The app was recently updated for v3.x devices but continues to lack 3G, a potentially cost-saving option given AT&T's unlimited data plans and reversal of stance on VoIP technology. Several other apps already support 3G VoIP, such as Fring.
A poster to Skype's forums, however, claims that after running into company blogger Peter Parkes, he was told that the issue is either AT&T's inability to handle the network traffic, or an exclusive deal with Verizon. Indeed Verizon smartphones have just gained access to 3G-ready Skype apps. The rumor is unverified, but might make sense given Skype's popularity and Verizon's need to lure people away from AT&T and the iPhone.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
Clueless Skype
I've got Skype account, but haven't found their phone offerings interesting. I use it only to talk with a friend in Tokyo.
Why? Because the distinction Skype makes between incoming and outgoing calling may make sense in a few isolated contexts, but it makes no sense to the average person who is just looking for a telephone replacement. For long calls that would eat up cellular minutes, I went with MagicJack instead. It's cheap but reliable.
If Skype had a app for the iPhone/touch and MagicJack didn't, I might be interested. But now I hear that Skype may have worked out an exclusive deal with Verizon that will mean that they'll stall and delay on bringing full Skype calling to the iPhone/touch/iPad.
Not very impressive, Skype. Apple at least has some excuses for their exclusive deal with AT&T.