We may be way off base here, but we're pretty sure the game just got upended. Days after AT&T appeased the masses by finally
enabling 3G streaming over the iPhone's
SlingPlayer app, Verizon Wireless has delivered some
big gargantuan news of its own. Starting next month, all Verizon Wireless customers with smartphones (and an accompanying data plan) will be able to make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any user in the world over its 3G network, which is something that AT&T users have been
able to do since last autumn. Let us repeat that: VZW, which is known historically as one of the
most controlling carriers in this great nation, is opening up its 3G network for limitless Skype calling. The forthcoming Skype Mobile application will also support Skype Out calling, instant messaging between Skype users and an ability to "remain always connected... to see friends' online presence." Nine smartphones will be compatible at launch (the full list is after the break), and we're guessing that more will be added in due time. Giddy yet?
Initially, Skype mobile will be available on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including:
- BlackBerry Storm 9530
- BlackBerry Storm2
- BlackBerry Curve 8330
- BlackBerry Curve 8530
- BlackBerry Curve 8830 World Edition
- BlackBerry Tour 9630
- Motorola Droid
- HTC Droid Eris
- Motorola Devour
posted February 16th 2010 11:34AM
Wow, is all I can say!
@1ofdakoolkidz +1
This is a great move, now the smartphones got a just a lil more smarter!
Not to mention I dont have to bother about the data usage [unless this unlimited comes with an asterisk that we dont see yet;) ]
Uhhh, engadget.... Sprint already allows skype calling. I've had it on my touch pro for over a year now.
@thepowerofdonuts
Now give me a data-only plan that costs < $50/month, please. kthxbai.
@crawdad689 54.99 unlimited data and messaging with Verizon with no voice.
@1ofdakoolkidz
This was going to happen whether Verizon wanted it or not, so it was smart for them to make this announcement with Skype and get themselves some good press. They knew when they embraced Android that its open nature would lead to this. You can't support an open platform and try to limit what can be done on it like Verizon has been notorious for.
I think their new strategy is to get people relying more and more on data while it's priced reasonably and then eventually jack the rates up as they eluded to here:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
@1ofdakoolkidz
But BB Curves aren't 3G...
@1ofdakoolkidz
Isn't Skype already available via 3G on a lot of phones (Symbian & WinMo) already? Granted the networks aren't promoting this, but it's possible none the less.
I really don't see the big deal.
@crawdad689
That's certainly a good point, but you don't get a phone number unless you pay for one, so you can only receive calls from Skype users. That also means no texting on a data only plan. I guess it's a trade-off.
@Josh123 The CDMA Curves (8330 & 8530) are 3g, the GSM curve isn't
@1ofdakoolkidz - MEH! “Tardy to the Party”...
@1ofdakoolkidz
I would say WOW too if Palm Pre Plus was getting into the skype action too...come on Verizon!
@njseven
Unless you don't need to make phone calls to domestic land lines, you're going to need a voice plan.
Verizon is allowing you to make Skype-to-Skype calls, but if you want to use Skype to call a domestic non-skype phone (landline/mobile)
you will use your Verizon minutes. I'm assuming Skype will be forced to delegate those kinds of calls to Verizon's CDMA voice network rather then send the voice call through Skype's network, thus preventing users from taking advantage of Skype's unlimited domestic calling at very cheap rates.
@thepowerofdonuts Google voice let's you text.
Cool, but they should consider NOT removing the front facing camera from all the HTC\etc phones that make their way over here and allow for Skype video calling from mobiles.
@DoctarPeppar
How about Skype themselves finally ship an app with video calling in it so there's an actual reason?
Sucks to see that there's 0 windows mobile phones on this list.
What gives?
@DoctarPeppar you didnt obviously read
"..Initially, Skype mobile will be available on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including:.."
but hey the news is exciting!
I love the carrier war that's going on right now, these guys are pushing each other to stop being lame and we are all benefiting!
Now I just need one carrier to up the allowed data from 5GB on mobile broadband to something useful, so they all fall in line.
:D
@unwynd
I didn't read what, that it says they "predict" more phones to be supported in the future? I mean this is great and all but that is not very comforting for people who don't own one of the 9 devices listed :P
@DoctarPeppar
They said "millions including these 9"
@DoctarPeppar
Over the pond in the UK, 3 have been providing unlimited Skype to Skype calling for about a year. I have a 3 SIM in an unlocked HD2, since 3 don't carry the HD2 officially, and have been using Skype to Skype calling using the official Skype for Windows Mobile application downloaded from Skype's site without a hitch. So hopefully all you Verizoners can utilize the same crafty plan as I have and still use the free Skype that your network so graciously provides.
Maybe not though.
@treats This is pretty exciting news for me. What I'm hoping to see most of all is it easier to just pick up an unlocked CDMA phone from Verizon and use it on Sprint. When that happens, we might get manufacturers to actually release some of the good phones in a CDMA version since they won't need approval or a contract with a carrier like Sprint who gets all the phones I would want about 2 years too late.
@DoctarPeppar i could find "predict" only in your comment, lol ;)
@unwynd
"and we're guessing that more will be added in due time"
Guessing, predicting, same thing? Arguments over semantics pwn!
@DoctarPeppar no arguments bro unless you wish the millions of smartphones part, i am sure you know skype mobile is available for a tonne of phones already...
@DoctarPeppar http://www.skype.com/mobile/
@DoctarPeppar I had already used Skype on Windows mobile before, 6 months ago maybe.
@treats
"And, Skype usage won’t be charged against customers’ monthly Verizon Wireless data plans or minute allowances." so it looks like that 5GB won't be an issue at least with respect to skype calling
@unwynd
Yes the point is not being charged for it. I do not think Verizon will be using the normal Skype client, they will probably have a customized version of it. In other words, I am pretty sure that if you use the existing skype client for WinMo it will still charge minutes to your skype account, etc...but I could be wrong. Anyone have confirmation of WM support or any other details regarding this?
@treats
I second that....geez. With all the services that they DO allow...I find it hard to believe that raising the ceiling for data plans would cripple the network.
@Jack Bauer and its free too if you use the 3 client. it doesn't eat into your data plan - same for WLM (as long as you use the client provided by 3).
@DoctarPeppar why would they do that? how different would it be from a normal skype call, assuming they decide do something like....
Can YOUR phone on YOUR network do that?
@Tonezorz In about a week...probably.
@Tonezorz Yes, it can. I use Skype on my Tilt2 from time to time - what's the big deal?
This seems like a gimmick for more Skype users is all: Skype-to-Skype calling has always been free and either way you're paying for the data package for the smartphone as-is, so really... it's nothing special.
@Tonezorz
Yeah...for about 2 years now.
@Tonezorz The n900 on t-Mobil can already do this in fact the n900 has built in Skype integration. But way to go Verizon for being ahead of the crowd!
@dragonfli
OHHHHHH This is only unlimited calling for Skype to Skype?
Ah! Well in that case I Agree, this is no big deal.
@DoctarPeppar
No, not for people with Unlimited plans...they're saying the calls will be unlimited.
@DoctarPeppar
unlimited calls, nit unlimited plans.
@dragonfli
agreed, this is just a big gimmick. The Slingplayer news is a much bigger deal, as that will eat data for 3 square meals a day. This, on the other hand, won't be such a big deal.
@Tonezorz
Yes.
@Tonezorz
Yes ; )
@Tonezorz
My sprint mogul could do this when i got it in 07. It was exciting then, i guess, but it certainly isnt "BREAKING NEWS" now just because the droid does.
my baby eris is there!! :)
but...this...im sorry..its like a death in the family...i just didnt quite hit me yet :|
This would be exciting if people actually used their smartphones to call people. When's the last time you used all your minutes?
@GTYellowJacket9
i cant remember last time i didnt use up my minutes dude!
@GTYellowJacket9
When I was on AT&T, I looked at all my rollover minutes after six months and had well over 3000. I use maybe 300 minutes with Verizon, now.
Nice move big red!!