Skype coming to mobile devices

Chris Caceres · March 30, 2009 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/7b9

Tomorrow, Skype will be launching an iPhone application, along with a BlackBerry application soon

Skype will be coming to mobile devices. 

Tomorrow, Skype will be launching its free iPhone app which will allow users VoIP over WiFi networks, along with the usual messaging service Skype enables, reports the New York Times.  In May, a BlackBerry version will be released.  

Skype will abide by Apple's limitations on all voice applications for the iPhone.   Currently, Apple allows VoIP applications to make calls only when a user is within a Wi-Fi network.  This restricts users from using the carrier's data networks - quite a limitation.  If allowed, users could probably make a dent in the amount of phone calls they make by using free VoIP calls instead.

Founded in 2003, Skype currently has 405 million registered users globally.  

Skype won't be the first to offer VoIP.  Up until tomorrow, most users will have been making VoIP calls on their iPhones using applications like Nimbuzz and fring, both which allow users to use their Skype accounts within its applications.

Image Description

Chris Caceres

All author posts

Support VatorNews by Donating

Read more from our "Trends and news" series

More episodes

Related Companies, Investors, and Entrepreneurs

Nimbuzz

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on

Nimbuzz is the free call and messaging app for the connected generation.

Nimbuzz combines the powers of the Internet and mobile communications into one, and lets you meet, share and connect with family and friends on any mobile device.

At the heart of Nimbuzz is the live Contact list – an always-on, hyper-connected, dynamic address book, enhanced with “real-time-presence” showing at a glance who’s online, offline, busy or away, their status messages, avatar pictures and social community activity.  From here, users launch free and cheap calls between each other, IM chat sessions, picture sending, chat-room sessions, location based services and various other communication & interactive features.

 

Nimbuzz users enjoy the freedom of communicating with friends between any internet enabled device, from mobile to mobile, mobile to PC/Mac and vice versa, harnessing the power of the Internet (Wi-Fi, 3G, 2G, GPRS)

 

With its mobile, Web, Wap and desktop clients, Nimbuzz is available on thousands of the worlds’ most popular devices across all major platforms – Symbian, iPhone, iPod touch, Windows Mobile, Android, BlackBerry, J2ME, as well as Windows and Mac desktop computers.

 

Social networks & communities supported by Nimbuzz include Skype®, Facebook®, Windows Live Messenger (MSN®), GoogleTalkTM, Twitter, Yahoo!TM, AIM®, MySpace, ICQ®, GaduGadu, Hyves, StudiVZ, Giovani and others.

 

fring

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on

fring™ is a mobile internet service & community that enables you to access & interact with your social networks on-the-go, make free calls and live chat with all your fring, Skype®, MSN® Messenger, Google Talk™, ICQ, SIP, Twitter, Yahoo!™ and AIM®* friends using your handset’s internet connection rather than costly cellular airtime minutes.

Bringing PC-benefits to the mobile, fring will empower you with mobility and availability as never before, integrating all contacts in to one, searchable buddy list, allowing you to see who’s online before dialing with contact availability indicators, engage in multiple conversations simultaneously, send & receive files and more.

You can even make affordable local and international calls to landline and regular cellular numbers using your SkypeOut/SkypeIn account or almost any internet voice service (SIP) such as SIPNET, EuteliaVoIP, VoIPVoIP and VoIPTalk, even from non-SIP enabled handsets.

What’s more, fring will automatically log you in to WiFi hotspots that you’ve previously logged into, so you can save time and hassle without having to configure your WiFi access points each time you enter a WiFi hotspot whether it be your home, office, or favourite coffee shop, and save even more on calls & chats to your friends, as calls among fringsters and your online communities are 100% free when using your existing WiFi account.

As easy to download as a ringtone and simple to install and use, fring is PC-independent and does not require any dedicated hardware or airtime - all you need to use fring is a supported handset with internet connectivity and an internet data package or a WiFi account.