Being both a Skype and iPhone user I grab the new Skype client this morning. Before making any test calls or messages, I decided to give the Skype client a quick “feature spin.”
After a quick download from the app store I found that the Skype for iPhone client allows Skype users to:
Missing from Skype’s native desktop functionality is:
There are likely a few others, but those were the major missing features. Once I had an opportunity to familiarize myself with the Skype for iPhone client, I spent some time putting the client through it’s paces.
For the purposes of this review I:
Now I’ve only been using the Skype for iPhone client for all of two and a half hours, but there isn’t much to it. Based off my experience with Skype for iPhone, here are some thoughts:
In addition to these pros, it should be noted that Skype can drastically reduce calling costs (if you’re not currently a Skype user).
Of the cons listed all of them seem to be due to the limitations Apple and wireless carriers place on iPhone application developers.
I’m sure that Skype would love for users to have the ability to place calls over 3G and send and recieve text messages. Unfortunately that would come at the expense of the wireless carriers existing revenues.
Having worked at two of the largest I don’t see them letting that happen unless it’s profitable for them.
For all the wait time one might have expect something from Skype that brought a little more “wow.”
While the Skype for iPhone client didn’t “wow” me, Skype did impress me with their execution. Skype for iPhone is simple and easy to use. As I stated above, the user experience is great.
It also stacks up well to competing mobile VoIP applications from Truphone, fring and Nimbuzz. These applications might allow one to do more today, but in my opinion they’re not as user friendly.
So overall the Skype for iPhone application is a good first release for Skype. If you’re a Skype user you should be pleased with what they’ve produced – just don’t expect the world.
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Its also - "not available in Canada" but I think I have a workaround here: http://beyondthebleedingedge.blogspot.com/2009/03/create-us-itunes-store-account-to-get.html
The biggest problem for me is still the iPhone aspect of it. The client in my testing worked great, but the fact that it can not run in the background is a problem.
@TJ
I agree. I believe that this will improve once Apple allows real time pushing of data.
Is it using the SILK codec?
@ Ben
Good question. I'm not sure. Let me ask around.
What does this do to Microsoft's relationships with other handset companies? ,