We
knew it was coming, and now we have a concrete date. Starting this Thursday, March 25th, Verizon Wireless customers with one of nine select smartphones (Motorola Droid and Devour, HTC Droid Eris, various BlackBerrys) and data plan will be able to use
Skype over the 3G network. As we heard before, Skype-to-Skype calls will not affect your VZW minutes, and now you've got the option to use the app for cheaper international dialing using the mobile app. Full list of compatible devices after the break, a list we're hoping gets expanded in the
not-so-distant future.
- 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 March 23rd 2010 3:40PM
nice, way to go verizon
@dbktti
not really... Since you cant use Voice and Data at the same time what happens when you are on a Skype call and someone calls your Verizon number?
@Mentat On VZ you probably lose the call. On my X1 running on AT&T the phone rings ridiculously loudly into my ear as the other person is calling....
@dbktti who cares
in US you can get skype-to-GO number which basically gives you super cheap calling card, in combination with $6 unlimited 1 country I am set. It works much better than WIFI call. The only time I use SKYPE is when I'm overseas on vacation. Why would I burn expensive roaming data bytes when I can use free WIFI
video over 3G is great, SKYPE eeeeeh I don't need it
@Mentat let google voice grab it and get the email/text :)
@Mentat
Same as what happens when you get a regular call while talking - goes to voicemail.
Or were you going to field two calls at once?
@Mentat - Lol, Yea, its pretty dumb since you will most likely drop the Skype call for the more pricey V-voice call. Once again CDMA showing its age and how much it SUX AZZ! Crap pseudo 3G. Sayin...
LTE can come fast enough to the V...
@Mentat Actually, this version of Skype doesn't use the data connection, it uses the voice connection. So the same thing will happen as when you are on a normal call and someone calls you.
@dbktti
The sad part is that Verizon has to approve an app that uses VoIP. Personally I believe that a data connection means you have access to the internet and when you have access to the internet it should be ubiquitous as to what internet services you can use.
The internet should be the internet whether its on a Phone or a TV or a PC.
@dbktti
This would not be a story if this was Sprint because they don't try and play this crap with their customers. Verizon in some ways reminds me of the Google and China conflict...not good. In a similar way they remind me of Apple and the iTunes app approval process...also not good.
Waiting on Google Voice + Gizmo5
Doesn't make much sense now that they already have unlimited voice plans... Plus I thought you've to buy Skype talktime anyway if you want to call another mobile( unless the other set is also running skype)...
@who said what
Here's a subtle kicker, since skype uses the data side of verizon's network, you'll be able to make a call AND browse the net at the same time.
@gltovar I was talking about the cost factor though...
And isn't it true, verizon is bringing in data cap?
@who said what But anyway, I think Verizon really needed this one app to shut up that fat ass dude in ATT's ad!
@who said what Yes there are unlimited voice plans BUT there are also the low cost plans + unlimited data. Toss in Skype with a $9 every 4 month subscription for unlimited to any landline or cell phone in the US and now you have one really cheap way of communicating.
@who said what It makes more sense if you call someone running Skype on their mobile ***internationally***.
@Luxury Guy Yeah... now that'd be really useful. ATT kinda does it already though.
@Darkseider the lowest individula voice plan on their website:
$39.99 == $40
Unlimited Data Plan:
$29.99 == $30
Skype ==
I didn't check but you said $9...
So that's 79.99 == 80....
Not much difference, is there?
@who said what I think he said $9 every 4 months, not every month. So, it becomes $72.23/mo.
@Aegee14 Ha ha... ok... I concede...
As old as the Curve 8330 is, I find it amazing that it refuses to be considered irrelevant. Kudos to RIM
@216 I wish mine would just die and turn into a droid.
So where is the Nexus One?
@LowSky Pretty sure *might be wrong* that the droid isn't on Big red yet.
@ThatDudeSolo NEXUS ONE* my bad.
a little webOS love would be nice...
@Mr Lingo WebOS is stuck in a vicious cycle...
Few apps hence few customers... few customers hence few apps...
Verizon has seriously been nailing it lately. Android phones that aren't crippled (they left that to AT&T) and now free Skype calls. Blamo keep up the good work big red.
There is no reason for the Verizon to make big deal out of this. All the other carriers allow Skype over their data network(if your phone os has skype version). If skype is developed for BB, it won't be just verizon, it will come out to all the BB. Same goes for android.
@danielchoinet You say this, but their compatibility list is all the CDMA versions, what about 9500 Storm or 8520/8900 users?
Let's hope skype picks up in other countries so we can all talk internationally for free!
@jinjin
You're in for good news. Skype HAS picked up in other countries. It is just us in the US that is late to the game. I use it to talk to my international relatives and friends all the time.
@Luxury Guy yea I do use skype to talk to my family outside the country (via PC to PC) but I can't call their landline or cell phone for free.. If they had skype mobile app on their phone then it should be free?
Am I wrong? Please let me know! Thanks!
@jinjin Skype itself would be free. The tricky part would be convincing non-tech family members to buy unlimited data plans... of course they could just use wifi instead.
I have in fact also used Skype's app on my smartphone to talk to my family when I've been in other countries... the thing was I had to have Wifi available to do it w/o an international or pre-paid data package.
And why does (should) Verizon have a say in what app you use on your phone?
Couldn't you install Skype on those phones anyway?
So..................... yea............... Uhm how is this different from the Skype for mobile phones that we had before?
@Luxury Guy It doesn't use your minutes, but uses CDMA.
@Luxury Guy My thought exactly. I've used Skype on my Omnia on VZW to talk with my buddy in Dubai on his iPhone through Skype.
Where is the proper Skype for Android? How can they call Skypte-to-Skype call if not even the official Skype App on android can do it?
@PIMP
That app hits this Thursday.......thusly the announcement
No one pays any attention??? Skype to Skype calling is over Circuit Switched or VOICE circuits NOT data....
@MJ Lol, Skype for SURE goes over data. Google Voice is over voice circuits, though. Just because you're able to reach phone #s with Skype or have a voice # of your own, it definitely uses the Internet and your data plan to make the calls. Just like how it works on your PC and all other Skype devices. =P If you've got a laggy internet connection, your call will suck.
@sodaboy581 I think you need to go back and read the page linked to on the skype web site. This is just another version of Skype Lite.
I would like to see this expanded to the built in wifi on said phones. I'm sick of the bull plop data plan requirement on "smart" phones. When I signed up for att I used a blackberry I already had and they accidentally selected the wrong phone in their system. Guess what? the blackberry worked just fine. It even disabled certain features like the email program.
So, who cares?
I'm still trying to figure out why this is such big news since I've been running the Skype beta on my Droid for months.
@CJ100570
Do you think Skype will make the Android version widely available and not just for Verizon customers?
I think this partnership is pointless...where is the benefit to the consumer??
From Skype's perspective, wouldn't it have made more sense to market to all carriers??
Verizon must have paid out the arse for this exclusiveness. Skype, quit screwing around and get more countries on the list. Also need SkypeIn/Out in Canada...ffs...
Instead of patting Verizon on the back, we should be crucifying Skype for not creating a full app for the Android marketplace. They even pulled the useless Skype lite from the marketplace from what I hear. Skype will run on the Droid on Verizon because Verizon lined their pockets to the tune of exclusivity.