http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/ Engadget Comments for Ask Engadget: Best Skype phone for Europe? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
The PSP is a phone now?
...]]>Jan 1st 2010 5:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
It has been for a couple years.]]>Jan 1st 2010 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
The guy asked for a GSM cell phone, not just any device that can run Skype.

But sure, let's all just recommend random stuff, maybe he'll find it useful anyway.]]>Jan 1st 2010 12:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
Yes, but VOIP over 3g is disabled. Unless you jailbreak it.

The N900 supports it. I just got the N900 for that purpose. I'm able to use 3g and 2.5g to make voip calls with skype]]>Jan 1st 2010 1:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/The N810 / N800 are also great choices and cheaper than the N900 which is also a phone and the n810 and n800 are not. I used my N810 while traveling all over china and had great results.]]>Jan 1st 2010 11:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 2nd 2010 10:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 1:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
The cheapest GSMs with WiFi and Skype capabilities are probably the S60 phones (mostly Nokias). So I'd do a search here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3
However, for 100 EUR don't expect much. A used (few months old) E51 or maybe a very used 5800...

Maybe the Blackberries, too, but I don't know much about them.


All in all, the E51 looks like the best candidate so far.]]>Jan 1st 2010 2:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/If you just want to send a separate phone, then there are Belkin and Netgear skype wi-fi phones, which are only for skype functionality.
You can find anywhere between $60-$100 depending on your location.
Frys has them cheap manytimes. ]]>Dec 31st 2009 11:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
N900 or 3 Skype phone, pick one up for around £100.

http://www.skype.com/intl/en/allfeatures/3skypephone/s2/]]>Jan 1st 2010 11:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/"From November 2007 onwards, 3 Skypephone will be available or coming soon in the UK, Italy, Australia, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Republic of Ireland and Hong Kong." -- That isn't to say that I couldn't track it down, but it seems a pain and perhaps too specialized.

I realize this wasn't in the original requirements list, but I'd wanna get something that /could/ accept a SIM too, so that she doesn't have to lug around two devices. From the comments so far, I'm leaning toward a Nokia E or N series. Although Skype over wifi is the intent, it'd be a bonus if it were allowed over the 3G mobile data networks (Proximus, Mobistar, BASE).]]>Jan 1st 2010 1:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
truth be told, the best phones with skype capabilities will be EU phones, since most US carriers simply DO NOT WANT any app that will take away from billable minutes, and most phones sold here will cater to those US carriers.]]>Jan 2nd 2010 12:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
Other Nokia's can run skype but this is done via apps (Fring or Nimbuzz). I use fring but it does not have the best voice quality and tends to lag from time to time.

Also the carrier 3 has a Skype phone (made by INQ if I remember correct) so you might want to check that out.
Gl.]]>Dec 31st 2009 11:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/"Other Nokia's can run skype but this is done via apps (Fring or Nimbuzz)."
There's a native Skype app for Symbian as well. I never used it, but it's there.]]>Jan 1st 2010 7:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Pretty much every smartphone in Europe has a front side camera (like the nokia n900) so have her go to Orange or some other provide and have her get a smartphone (other then the iphone for it doesn't have a front side camera) and she can use skype for calling and for video chats. Also smartphones are a lot cheaper on European provides so a nokia n97 would be free, a htc hd2 would be free, and so on.

Get a phone that runs a smartphone os like android/symbian/mameo/windows mobile/iphone os
and you can run apps like fing to use skype ]]>Dec 31st 2009 11:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Dec 31st 2009 11:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 3:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/(Scandinavia.)]]>Jan 1st 2010 12:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/$130 Ipevo S0-20 is a good Skype Wifi Phone.
$90 Siemens Gigaset A580 DECT VoIP/SIP phone.

The Gigaset A580 is a true SIP phone and is pre-configured out of the box with an account so even your mother could use it. Because it is DECT, the battery life is great and the call quality is equally good.]]>Jan 1st 2010 12:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/fring=skype can be installed on a lot of different devices
check out which ones here
http://www.fring.com/download/default_PC.asp
or choose a device first on cellphone arena
http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3
with selection (wifi and 900/1800)

the phonehouse.be
has an option to buy cellphones online
with free delivery apparently atm
it's trustworty shop but don't know if it's cheapest
(but there's not a lot of online shops so... unless you want to sent your sister money)
kopen=buy

goodluck

reply if you need more information

probably easier/cheaper

]]>Jan 1st 2010 12:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 12:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 12:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 1:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
I recently acquired a mifi, so I could also use it on 3G when on the go.]]>Jan 1st 2010 3:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 3:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 4:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Can't you read the question? He said excellent battery life, which pretty much all touchscreen phones lack, especially phones like the N900 and the iPhone.

I'd say perhaps something like the E52. I heard the battery life is very good.

Nimbuzz is a nice all in one messaging app, that includes Skype.]]>Jan 1st 2010 5:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
- Cheapest. Headset plugged into PC audio jack
- Next Cheapest and a bit better. USB headset. Less fiddling with wires and Skype find the device by default. Speakers still work for audio.
- Cell phone + Skype. Utter rubbish. Poor audio quality and unreliable. My son has a htc TouchPro II and that works OK for when he is outside his house but it is not a good choice.
- iPhone. Utter crap. FAIL almost every time. Do not buy.
- Skype dedicated plug into the router phone at both ends. THE BEST. Works every time but takes about 8 seconds to sync its packets end to end. Once done the quality is almost as good as a regular phone. Once in a while the call drops out.
- Laptop PC + camera. We both run Windows 7 x64. This works well for family stuff but is too cumbersome for day to day use.]]>Jan 1st 2010 5:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 6:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/The Problem with Skype (as with all other apps) on the Iphone is and remain the lack of multi tasking. She will not be able to be always on like on S60 or WinMo.
Except on the N900, the Iphone and WinMo all other devices have only Skype Lite wich is not completely Free. Nimbuzz and Fring extends the availability of skype to all S60 Phones and adds SIP a much cheaper option using for exemple smartvoip/12voip/poivy.com. With Nimbuz on WinMo or S60 you can send a "buzz" to someone and it will fire up his nimbuzz and come online!!!
I´ve been heavily using voip for at least 5 years now. I tried all the MultiIMs, OSes and SIP Providers.This is my dream Team:S60+Nimbuzz+SIP on the move and @Home i use the PSP and let the Phone sync, charge.... ]]>Jan 1st 2010 6:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 6:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 7:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
lol ok $30 it seems.
http://gizmodo.com/5403353/walmart-hacks-the-palm-pixis-price-down-to-size-30-at-launch]]>Jan 1st 2010 7:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/$30 + 24 * $70 = $1710, since she won't be able to use the $70 plan in Europe.]]>Jan 1st 2010 7:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
Furthermore, Belgium has only 3 providers (Base, Mobistar & Proximus). They all are expensive, unfortunately almost as expensive as mobile subscriptions are in the US.]]>Jan 1st 2010 7:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
There are no decent Skype branded handsets available to be honest, build quality of skype sets is rubbish, especially the wifi sets, you are better off using a smartphone with either Skype or Fring]]>Jan 1st 2010 7:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
Yeah, the 5800 could also be an option. It's relatively cheap and has many features. And as far as battery life I've heard different opinions, so I can't comment on that. Some people say it lasts up to 4-5 days, which I think is very good if true.

And about Fring using less data than Nimbuzz, that's interesting.. I'll check it out. Last time I checked I liked the feel of Nimbuzz better, but it's been a while. I'll have to check the standalone Skype app as well.]]>Jan 1st 2010 7:24AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
Had a rather "wow at technology" moment when I was sitting in a park in the UK with my phone taking on skype to someone 5000 miles away for several hours and it was all completely free!

Can also vouch for any winmo phone with a resonable processor for skype action too. I currently use skype on my Touch HD all the time.

Cannot possibly vouch for iphone skyping tho, without multitasking support if you accidentally hit the home button, get a call etc then it kicks you out of most skype / chat clients, kills battery life tho, do not reccomend!]]>Jan 1st 2010 10:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/
Yup. It's a good one for VOIP too.]]>Jan 1st 2010 11:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/31/ask-engadget-best-skype-phone-for-europe/Jan 1st 2010 7:34AM