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."

How is this new?

[Kenja]

How is this diferent then the VOIP software that came with my PocketPC?

Suddenly...

[Knight Thrasher]

Suddenly, WiFi monitoring becomes incredibly worthwhile.

Not too shabby!

[JLavezzo]

Hey don't rag on them too badly! They are Hiring Linux Developers [skype.com].
KDEphone here we come!

Systems clashing?

[Viceice]

The way this is going, it feels more and more that mobile data and communications is going to a very critical place.

On one end we have giant phone companies with large infrastructure assets trying to push tech like G3 and GPRS with a very high per minute/packet charge over cellular networks.

On the other hand, we have hotspots sprouting up all over the place with subscriptions going from nothing to a cup of coffee. While coverage is still spotty, its capabilities are blurring, with everything from voice to data being possible over IP.

Developments would be interesting to watch.

what fuss?

[maxbang]

I don't understand the fuss about all of this VOIP stuff. I still can call only another VOIP user at this point, right? If that's the case, there are plenty of tools out there already that enable this, even on PocketPC, which an earlier post pointed out. I'd rather pay my $50 a month for my cell and call anyone I want from wherever I want. I do value the aspect of getting everyone to switch to VOIP, which is what I think skype (among others) are trying to do. Once that happens and that wimax stuff takes off, then we'll be much better off, methinks.

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

[tcdk]

Skype make quite a deal of the fact that it's doesn't contain spy or ad ware.

I've used it quite a bit to communicate from Denmark to Greenland and I'm very impressed by the quality. I get a 4-500ms ping to my brother who's only on a dial-up, yet the quality is flawless and the lag isn't to bad.

Now if only they would make a PalmOne version. I'm going buy a new PDA real-soon-now, but it's not going to be a MS based one. No way.

but

[stratjakt]

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

Only to other running instances of skype though, or does it interface with POTS for free (doubt it)?

I mean, cool and all, but what's skype got that netmeeting/cucme/et al haven't had forever?

skype

[greysky]

The company I work for uses skype for phonecalls (we all work from home). It's really handly, esp since we outsource some of the development work to India and Vietnam, and we can call the team leads over there at no cost.

Re:No local telephone interface?

[drewzhrodague]

Perhaps some of us with unlimited local calling, might allow VOIP users to call locally using their lines -- within specified limits, I would assume. This makes sense, but I can't imagine the telcos, or internet-providers would allow it. Certainly turns telecom on it's ear, so to speak.

Re:what fuss?

[maxbang]

Sadly, for me most of the world does indeed end at the US borders. I was born here, but most of my family's back in India. For me to use this product to contact them, they would have to purchase a computer and get online in a place where electricity is spotty at best. They can, however, get a relatively cheap cell phone and I can call them for about five bucks (sixty a year). I understand your point and see how this can be useful for wired countries, but for most of the rest of the world skype is moot.

How this Skype new/better...

[Anonymous Coward]

I saw a number of posts stating that many Instant Messaging clients (or NetMeeting) already offer VoIP "telephone" services.

Skype is better because:

a) the voice quality is by far better, especially with narrow-band connections (I'm speaking form experience)

b) Skype is able to get even through quite tightly configured firewalls, where NetMeeting, ICQ, MSN etc. have a number of problems that only can be solved by changing firewall settings.

Re:Read the EULA

[IamTheRealMike]

I read that paragraph to say "other peoples computers will communicate with yours", which is, uh, kind of the point of a VoIP program. I think they are just being overly-paranoid with the legal stuff.

Skype seems fine to me.

[Futurepower(R)]

Skype seems fine to me. It has much better sound quality than regular telephones. I use it to talk to a friend in France. Neither of us have ever seen any bad behavior in Skype, in several months of use.

For those who want to use the traditional communication device, BigZoo [bigzoo.com] and OneSuite [onesuite.com] are excellent. OneSuite is 2.9 cents per minute from the U.S. to France. BigZoo is 2.8 cents per minute.

I'd like to have a USB sound card so that I could isolate the audio from the electromagnetically noisy computer, however. Any ideas?

Nice program

[t_allardyce]

Great, but now can we _please_ have a unix port!?