Skype Changes the Game and Releases the iPhone App | Hacker News Reader

Skype Changes the Game and Releases the iPhone App

siliconangle.com

27 pointsmcxx16 comments

before 3.0 with the notification system or some other way to keep applications running in the background, this, like all the other IM applications on the iPhone/touch, won't be of practical use.

Talking in Skype and recieving a traditional phone call? Skype call drops. Skype quits.

Talking in Skype while surfing the web. Nope. It's either Safari or Skype.

Tapping on a link in a Skype chat? Sure, but you'll go offline doing that (Skype closes before Safari opens).

Waiting for a call at a scheduled time? Sure, but don't think about browsing the web or even just browsing your music library to play something as all these actions will quit Skype.

Nah. IM and even more so VoIP are totally unpractical on the iPhone.

3.0 will bring some alleviation with the background notification service as you'll at least know when someone tries to call you, but it's still nowhere near usable. At least for me.

And that's this "changes the game"? There are already a bunch of - even Skype compatible - VoIP applications out there for the iPhone. They just didn't take off due to the reasons stated above.

Well, Skype has the network effect going for it. And while iPhone has its quirks and drawbacks, the idea of VOIP on your handheld is pretty compelling.

But it still isn't up in the app store.

Confirmed. This seems like a big waste of PR, stirring up interest for a product people can't buy.

Coming Tuesday apparently http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7971673.stm

I can't tell you how long I have been waiting for Skype to release this; it hasn't appeared in the shop for me yet, hopefully they don't do weird carrier releases and the UK gets screwed again--this could of course be an April Fools.

Just get an android, then you don't have to depend on Apple to be allowed to use your own device.

I just ordered an iPod Touch last week (Should be here today). Just in time! (I was planning on using a third party Skype application and jail breaking my touch- I might still jail break it :)

Big deal. I've been looking forward to the unification of cellular data and IP for a while. I'm curious to see how things look in about 18 months.

What other serious platforms is Skype not available for? I know WinMo has had it for years. I just assumed it was available on most other devices.

WinMo and Nokia's Linux platform are the only mobile platforms they have released clients for. The Nokia N97 (S60 5th Edition) will have a native Skype client as well. I hope they release a S60 3rd Edition version as well.

I guess network operators will do whatever it takes to block the app since it eats their revenue from SMS and calls.

... what kind of sadist plans to release this on or around April 1st?

You remember when GMail was announced on April fools and everyone thought it was a hoax? (they were offering 1000MB, when most other providers were offering ~10MB)

Google had to come out with a second press release saying that they were actually serious

I remember, but Skype hasn't actually come out with a press release saying that they're launching an iPhone application, so far it's all rumours. (Correct me I'm wrong, I can't find find an official Skype citation)

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE52T0H620090330

Reply on news.ycombinator.com