Skype for iPhone is here and it works
VOIP giant Skype's application for the iPhone arrived on the App Store today and we do a few quick tests to let you know how it works.
Skype for iPhone has arrived (direct link to iTunes Store; will launch iTunes) for free and we downloaded it this morning to give it a whirl. The good news is that the first call we placed, from a first generation iPhone running the new 3.0 OS to a desktop Skype client worked like a charm, crystal clear, and with no problems.
The next call that we placed from an iPhone 3G running iPhone OS 2.0 to a first generation iPhone running 3.0 also worked fine, although the sound quality wasn't quite as clear as in the iPhone to desktop call.
Then we started testing different configurations. One can be logged in simultaneously to both the desktop client and the iPhone client and chat easily, which is nice, but when we tried to place calls from the iPhone to the iPhone 3G and desktop client simultaneously, the call failed. Also, as one would expect, you have to keep the Skype app open to receive calls or chat notifications, so it's not the best solution, currently, for a phone replacement. When iPhone OS 3.0 arrives in full this summer, perhaps there will be an upgrade to the application that allows for push notification of calls. Even a "send an SMS to this number when I have an incoming call" solution would work.
That being said, the performance of the app is light-years better than Fring on the iPhone's Skype support which we had tested back in late September. Also, there are reports online that an iPhone 3G running 3.0 OS can successfully place Skype calls over the 3G connection, but at this point it's unclear if that functionality is an oversight by Apple that will be closed once iPhone OS 3.0 is officially released or not.
If any of you happen to download the application and give it a try, please let us know what you thought in the comments below. We're especially interested in hearing reports from people using the application on the iPod touch. Also, you'll find some more screenshots of the application in action below.
This story around the web:
- Trusted sources:
First Looks: Skype for iPhone [Cult of Mac]
-
Skype for iPhone arrives [Gear Diary]
-
Skype For iPhone Now Available in the US, Has… [Gizmodo]
Get more information on topics relating to this story:
- Related glossary terms:
- VoIP
- Related devices and services:
- Apple iPhone, Apple iPhone 3G, Apple iPod touch, Skype, Skype for iPhone
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Comments (4)
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Ryan Scheuermann 2
(9:34 AM on Tue Mar 31, 2009)
I wonder how much of a battery suck it is? You can actually see your battery indicator drain over the course of the screenshots!
C.K. Sample III
(9:36 AM on Tue Mar 31, 2009)
I think that's unrelated. My iPhone was nearly on empty when we were testing this and I kept plugging it in in between screenshots, so most likely, the screenshots with more of a charge were taken AFTER the ones with less of a charge.
Ryan Scheuermann 2
(9:40 AM on Tue Mar 31, 2009)
I'm actually shocked it was able to fit my whole name across the top of the screen. ;-)
Conrad Quilty-Harper
(11:19 AM on Tue Mar 31, 2009)
Just downloaded it for my 2.0 2G iPhone. Crashed every time I've tried typing a call. Crashed when I tried bringing up a contact. Crashed every time I tried calling that contact... I'm considering updating to 2.2 (as it recommends), but on 2.0 it's kinda crappy.