Internet telephony company link) has released an iPhone version of its software that allows users to make phone calls over the Internet using their iPhone or iPod Touch (2G). Currently, the app only supports calls using a WiFi network (so no calls over 3G or EDGE). Skype-to-Skype calls are free, and calls to regular phones can me made for a fee.
Skype’s calling rates are much cheaper than what phone companies charge, including AT&T Wireless. For calls to normal phones, there are two payment plans: purchase credits in a pay-as-you-go plan (minimum of $10), or purchase a monthly subscription that gives you unlimited minutes. For US users, unlimited calls to the US/Canada are $2.95 a month, Mexico $5.95 a month, and “World” $9.95 a month.
Skype is useful for those who use a cell phone as their only phone and don’t get a strong cell signal in their home. Internet services like DSL run over the same lines that hardline telephone services do and thus have better connectivity.
There are some limitations to Skype’s iPhone app. Besides having the WiFi-only limitation, Skype for iPhone can only receive calls when the app is open, meaning you can’t do anything else with your iPhone in the mean time. This makes Skype for iPhone primarily useful for making calls, not receiving. The app also features instant message chatting, which can be done over EDGE, 3G, and WiFi.
Skype for iPhone works much like a regular phone. There is a number pad for dialing and a contact list for quick dialing. You can import your iPhone contacts when setting up the app. During calls, you can bring up the number pad when prompted for extensions or to dial numbers in menu systems.
Import your iPhone contacts into the app.
If you receive a regular call while using the Skype app, your Skype call will be placed on hold. The iPhone’s answer or decline buttons will appear. Tap answer or decline; when you are finished, you can resume your Skype call.
Skype sells local phone numbers, which you’ll need if you want to receive calls from normal phones. Phone numbers are available for Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Skype for iPhone is a free download in the iTunes App Store.
Links:
iLounge review of Skype for iPhone.
USA Today review of Skype for iPhone.
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#1 by Typing Services Online on June 3rd, 2010
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This is a truly awesome app. I’m away on a gap year at the moment and so are 3 of my friends but we’re all at least 2000 miles appart so we’ve been using skype to contact eachother every so often in internet cafes. However, since downloading this app we’ve been talking so much more; it’s not hard to find somewhere to pick up wifi and because it’s free we can’t get enough of it!