Skype Releases PocketPC Version Of VoIP Software

An anonymous reader writes "According to WindowsForDevices.com, Skype Technologies has launched a free beta release of peer-to-peer voice calling software for WiFi-enabled handheld devices running Microsoft's Pocket PC software platform. PocketSkype is a 'thin' version of Skype, the company's original peer-to-peer voice-calling for Windows PCs which was released in August 2003. Like Skype, PocketSkype can be used to make free, unlimited, and unmetered calls anywhere in the world."

Re:How is this new?

[EulerX07]

Can someone behind a firewall/router call you using that VOIP software? The one reason I started using skype is that my other software didn't work from behind my d-ling router.

TROLL MY ASS

[way2trivial]

read this link please [typepad.com]. and then decide

Xpro + Asterisk

[calle69]

Why not use xten software? xpro for pocket pc connected directly to your asterisk server.

Re:wow-- the first piece of pocket pc spyware?

[Anonymous Coward]

I've downloaded and didn't see any spyware. I'm impressed with the sound quality and speed.

Re:wow-- the first piece of pocket pc spyware?

[gl4ss]

not a troll at all.

skype's eula grants them permission to install 3rd party useless shit, and them being who they are you really think they wouldn't do it?

Re:Suddenly...

[mr100percent]

Skype's FAQ [skype.com] states that the software uses end-to-end encryption for the phone call.

Re:How is this new?

[sh0rtie]

how about its not free? , check out the EULA [skype.com]

You acknowledge that certain functions in the Skype Software are only available to paid subscribers after a free trial period of the Skype Software and Services (the "Free Trial Period") ends. After the Free Trial Period ends, you will be presented with the option to subscribe to the Subscription Services. If you do not wish to subscribe, you acknowledge that you can not access functions and services only available to paid subscribers. To subscribe to the Subscription Services you must agree to the terms and conditions of the Subscription Services.

then they effectivly go on to say you ok them from any spyware concerns but unknown 3rd parties will have access to your machine

(c) THE SKYPE SOFTWARE IS UTILIZED AND DISTRIBUTED BY THIRD PARTIES WHICH ARE UNRELATED TO SKYPER. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT INSTALLATION OF THE SKYPE SOFTWARE WILL ALLOW THIRD PARTIES WHO ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH SKYPER THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR COMPUTER ("OUTSIDE PARTIES"). YOU AGREE THAT SKYPER WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE, CLAIM OR LOSS OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER

why are we giving this time again ? next up on slashdot Gator/Claria bring you free VOIP ?

Re:wow-- the first piece of pocket pc spyware?

[subzerorz]

The same goes for the desktop version which is awesome. Can't wait to use to call on land lines.

Pocket GPhone

[mknewman]

I've been using Pocket GPhone which comes on my Toshiba E805 for a few months now. You can check it out at http://www.vliusa.com/prof_personal/index.php The version I am using is 3.0 which is much, much better than the 1.0 version that comes on the E805. Works pretty well, with the typical pauses due to the network, and you do want to use it with a headset to prevent echoing, but the cool thing is they are hooked up to some sort of VoIP network and for $20 for 600 minutes you can make calls to virtually any phone. The rates for International calls are the best I have seen, anywhere. $0.05/min for most countries. You can use it for free for PDA-PDA (or even PC) calls for 60 days but then you have to pay them something to use their 'Buddy' service, but even then you can still make direct IP address based phone calls. No affiliation, just a relatively satisfied user. Marc

Do it yourself

[homer_ca]

Might be more complex, but you can set up your own VoIP PBX with Asterisk [asterisk.org]. It's free software that runs on Linux and supports industry standard SIP protocol so you can connect all kinds of devices like hardware IP phones, analog telephone adapters, and IP softphones on PCs and PDAs.

Re:what fuss?

[xpl_the_myst]

there are plenty of tools out there already that enable this

Yeah, but these guys claim better voice quality. IP does not offer real-time guarantees theoretically, so it means that there is a lot of flexibility in trying to get the best implementation of Voice-over-IP. And from personal experience, Skype calls sound much better than say, Yahoo! Voice chat.

What beats me is their claim about being peer-to-peer? What's peer to peer in voice chat? Unless they find the best route using all these peers, which doesnt look that possible.

Re:Skype vs. I.M. with voice?

[subzerorz]

Skype is suppose to work with firewalls and proxy's. There is no need to reconfigure firewalls.

Read it here on Techtree.com!

[PhrozenF]

Read the entire story here on Techtree.com [techtree.com]. They have some interesting observation and comments too.

"However, there are various issues raised over "voice-over Wi-Fi." Firstly, there isn't enough Wi-Fi coverage yet to make it feasible for the executives who are the primary users of pocket PCs to own only that device. Most people who would want to use that service need a reliable network. Also, the sound quality offered is poor."

Re:but

[pestie]

Encryption.

Another VOIP app - WiFive

[zapp]

WiFive [wifive.net] is another free VOIP app for PocketPC. With WiFive you can connect to other WiFive users, Netmeeting, or if you have your own Gatekeeper (call server), you can make calls through the PSTN as well.

Open source version of Skype?

[Futurepower(R)]

Another thought: What we really need is an open source version of Skype.

Also, note that Skype works over heavily firewalled systems. It communicates over the browser port 80, if necessary. Skype is an excellent demonstration that firewalling does not necessarily create real security. ZoneAlarm's outgoing firewalling is good in this case, however.

Re:wow-- the first piece of pocket pc spyware?

[tcdk]

[Googling..]...A quick search tells me that kazaa was sold til Sharman Networks in january 2002 and if I search google groups for the words "kazaa spyware" and limit the search for january 2002, I find lots of posts saying that Kazaa contains spyware... so I guess you are right and that they are Scum(tm).

(it's been a long time since I installede Kazaa, but as I remember it, it actually contained options in the install program to not install all the extra crap)

I think that there may be a problem here. I can't see how a VoIP system can get the market penetration for it to work, without huge money behind it (esp if it has to have POTS gateways) and I can't see how that can be done with Free/OSS. There may be a business model behind doing a POTS/VoIP gateway, but that's investing in the past and not something you'll find investors interested in.

If Skype would open their source code and protocol [*] we could have a winner on our hands - if we could find some way to make it as profitable business to make gateways. But the thing is, it need a fairly big investment that will be less and less the more successful your system is, but is never the less needed to start the ball rolling.

[*] Never going to happen - they got somebody to invest millions in them on the business model described on their homepage. They can't go back on that and that means no OSS or protocol.

Free? Skype? PSTN?

[muonzoo]

Like Skype, PocketSkype can be used to make free, unlimited, and unmetered calls anywhere in the world.

For some values of anywhere. As long as anywhere means "another Skype client" or "paying for a PSTN termination".
Skype rhymes with Hype for a good reason.