Well, it's about time. Touted
back in March as one of the pillar apps to benefit from the new multitasking API,
Skype has finally been updated to
iOS 4 compatibility. We're seeing crisper, more retina display-friendly graphics and, more importantly, background VoIP (not for iPhone 3G, naturally). A notification window will pop up when you're called or messaged, and you can use other apps while on the line chatting to international friends at reduced rates. Even on the lock screen, if you receive a call, sliding to unlock will take you immediately into the call. Video chat still isn't here -- a darn shame given the
lack of other options now -- but now you've got even more of a reason to rack up those rollover minutes on AT&T's voice plan. Download away!
Update: Remember when Skype was talking about
charging extra for calls over 3G starting this month? Straight from the horse's mouth: "we no longer have plans to charge a supplement to make calls over 3G."
[Thanks, Tyler C]
posted July 21st 2010 3:17PM
Does it use the wifies?
@NuklearPanda
As long as you don't touch the bottom le...
Ahh screw it, I am bored of this now.
@NuklearPanda
And the GBs as well.
No 3G though... ;)
@NuklearPanda Yes
@Graham Stevens
But Steve showed me that all phones do it!
@Graham Stevens lol +1
For a company whos software is based around video chat, the fact that iOS4 has background support AND video calling - for them to not utilise it, is complete stupidity. They would have had early access to iOS4 and the phone for sure. They should have had this front and center on day one of the iPhone 4 launch - video over WiFi. Even if it's just over WiFi that would be fine until it works okay over 3G. Wake me up when they offer video calling over WiFi - something that they should have been doing from day one. Video over 3G should be the biggie not background support on voice only calls.
@NuklearPanda I wish it supported video chat with the iPhone 4 (I assume it doesn't as it wasn't mentioned).
Maybe Fring will add Skype back now?
@NuklearPanda
Does 3rd gen Touch do background VoIP?
Touch iOS4 + MiFi + Skype = Hello iPhone (almost)
FINALLY! Thank you!
"In light of that, we no longer have plans to charge a supplement to make calls over 3G. We’re delighted to make it easier for you to talk for even longer and do even more together using Skype."
SKYPE 3G WILL BE FREEEEE!!!!
@Graham Stevens
I returned mine yesterday for just that reason. I'm waiting until they fix the problem before I buy another. Resisting the Droid 2 might be tough...
@Funke Tobias Dr They can't/won't fix a non existent problem, and you didn't return yours yesterday because you never had one to begin with. Get yourself a droid phone asap please.
@Graham Stevens
"Graham Stevens Posted Jul 21st 2010 3:23PM
@NuklearPanda
As long as you don't touch the bottom le...
Ahh screw it, I am bored of this now."
HILARIOUS!
@Sax25 Apple severely limited the number of people who were able to use the iPhone 4 prior to launch (didn't prevent a hardware leak, but whatever). The iPhone 4 hasn't even been out for a month, and you want to complain about an app not supporting all of the new hardware features? I'm sure they are trying to get these features out the door and are testing them now. Relax.
@LordThree I returned mine too. Bought samsung captivate only to find out that skype is not even available in the market. Ftw
@NuklearPanda
im guessing the second screenshot was before the update.
LEFT HANDEDS UNITE!!!
@FORDY
Just without the mic and a proper speaker..
@LordThree
Fine, I didn't get an iPhone 4. I also didn't return it right before my 30 days was up. Nor was I not happy with the "solution" of free "bumpers". Nope, this lie I concocted was all too incredibly far fetched.
@NuklearPanda
Where the hell is skype video support?!
@Sax25 True. I saw the update and then was sadden. Here's hoping for the next update
@FORDY There's already an app that does free calling to real phones, called icall voip, but to get free calling on it, you need to attach a real cell phone number to it (a flip phone works) and then you have free calling on iPod touch 3rd gen, I just downloaded the update about an hour ago and tried calling my dads skype account and then pressing the home button, and I didn't get the red bar at the top of the screen, but It did resume in the same place it was before, and didn't need to sign in again, I don't really use skype, but I'm kinda pissed that i don't get to see this feature working the one time I try it
@Sax25
Actually, chances are Apple wouldn't have given them early access to the front facing camera. Why would they give an advantage to a company that could create a competitor to FaceTime?
@Almo
You are still paying a hefty amount for data (2gb) so.... not really free, you just won't be double charged.
@NuklearPanda
Sure as hell took long enough, this should have been out at iOS4 launch. After all, they demoed months ago, as did Pandora, but Pandora was one of the first out the gate.
@Sax25
Skype isn't based around video chat, when Skype first came it was all about the VOIP and they changed the market quite a lot (at least here in Sweden).
@vvtopkar
Fring uses the front facing camera. There are no API restrictions on the front facing camera.
So you're "Apple controls everything to keep an advantage" bullshit isn't flying here.
Sorry :(
@NuklearPanda
Look at the two images!
it sucked 43% battery in 9 minutes, can't even say they are running stuff in the background, can you?
mmm...iWonder...
It figures they wouldn't include front camera support. Skype is getting more and more disappointing. After all, they are a video chat service, why wouldn't they implement that feature!
@apbaseball they are a VOIP service.
There are hardware Skype phones without webcams.
@apbaseball
Skype needs to get back on the ball.
@Ben64 I'm aware they are a VOIP service, but they have always advertised and showcased their video capabilities. With an amazing phone like the iPhone 4 and it's ability to have a video chat, why wouldn't they take advantage of that. It would open up endless possibilities for videochatting while on the road, etc. I think it would be amazing.
@apbaseball
Let Skype know how you feel, add to the 280+ comments...
http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/fring.html
It's good they finally got off their arses, now they need to do Android next.
@apbaseball
well, when the chat cam uses a proprietary video system in Facetime, which Skype may not want to use since Apple controls it, its Apple that is at fault. Who says the Facetime architecture is compatible with what Skype uses for video.
I'd be more worried about getting network supported video calling, which works globally between different devices on 3G or WiFi. Proprietary video calling solutions rarely succeed without some form of cross platform and architecture component. Facetime is not that at the moment.
The N900 stuck to standards and allowed Skype better OS access, and the video chatting over Skype is more deeply embedded into the UI and UX, just like a normal call. Apple could learn from Nokia.
@christexaport
FaceTime is not proprietary. Others can adopt it but are free to use whatever protocol they wish to use.
Skype needs competition. I'm getting tired of them with all their bad news no matter the platform.
@christexaport The video and pictures that come out of the front facing camera are not facetime formatted until the facetime app gets the data. Other apps using the feed do what ever they would normally do with the video. It is a standard video feed.
No videochat is heartbreaking
@MattsZ it really is, someday I hope.
The right-side pic is holding it right.
Meh...
the pic on the right is the one in which the guy is holding it the "wrong way".. :)
I can haz FaceTime please
That's Cool, but I want video chat from my phone. Please, skype?
Is it that hard to do p2p vid chat with Skype? Really?
N900 is enjoying voice and videocalling over WiFi/3G for a long time :)
@HellFlyer
Thanks for the valuable information. No one knew about this before you mention it here. I can even argue that because of you, around 2.3 million readers will buy a Nokia N900 by week end.
@Saad You are severely underestimating those numbers. I expect iPhone 4 potential buyers to jump on this and double that.
@HellFlyer
What's an N900?
I'm debating using the exclude Apple feature Engadget has again. Seriously guys, these non-newsworthy Apple stories have to stop.