Skype for iPod Touch - Is It Worth It?

Well, I say yes.

It started out with me buying a Skype subscription for unlimited calling in US and Canada.  This was shortly after I got my second generation iPod touch for my birthday, and was working on on turning in into an iPhone.  I had to buy headphones from the Apple store, and so I bought these. I used Fring at that point, and to my amazement, it worked!  I could make calls via my Skype account to the world.  However, there was quite a bit of lag, and that made it less than ideal.  So for a while I gave up.

But now, with the official Skype app out in the App store, I have returned to this idea.  So far, from what I have seen, it works well, but not as well as it could.  The Skype app does allow you to use subscriptions with it, not just Skype Credit.  This is a huge boon, because with a subscription comes voicemail and a cheaper online number.  The online nunber, once set up (which I have), means people can call you back, if you are in the Skype app.  However, you still cannot check your voicemail when you are in the Skype app.

I like the Skype app because it works with Backgrounder (thanks to an update to the Mobile Substrate), it has very little lag, and it has more in-call options.  The update by Saurik to Mobile Substrate is probably the most exciting thing for the Jailbroken community.  Because we can have Skype run in the background, that means we can recieve calls when not in the app itself.  This, combined with Keep Awake or Insomnia, means the iPod touch can almost be an iPhone.  I've had some trouble however, with the other person hearing me, but I can't hear them.  In Fring, I would just have to call them again and hope it worked - however, with the Skype application, 4 in call options come up, one of which is "Speaker."  I don't know why, but hitting that option generally gets ride of the wierd echo and allows me to hear them too.

Unfortunetly, you can't do some things which I would love to see.  You cannot check your voicemail yet, which would be the best new feature.  Having more integration with the contact list would be appreciated, but is not truly necessary.  Because Skype requires the +COUNTRYCODE, thing, it may be nice not to have integration so you wouldn't have to change all the numbers.

My last wish is for the Jailbroken community to start integrating this app with the iPhone OS.  It would be beautiful if it always ran in the background, and when you were connected to wifi, the wifi would never turn off so you could always recieve calls.  This integration would make it almost identical to official calling app in the iPhone.

Skype for iPhone and iPod Touch Is Here!

It's true!  It finally came on March 31, 2009.  The official Skype Application has landed in the Apple App store.  And while you can read what it includes almost anywhere, allow me to tell you once again.

• Free Skype to skype calls
• Calling Landlines, Mobile Phones, and other users!
• IM built in.
• Calling only works over Wifi, IM works anywhere
• See who is online anywhere

While it sounds too goo to be true, there are a few things that should be noted.

1. Some users are complaining about problems with the Skype application on their iPods or iPhones.  Well, yes, there actually is one.  If you jailbroke it.  The package installed upon Jailbreaking your iDevice "Mobile Substrate" causes Skype to crash repeatedly.  The solution?  Open Cydia and update Mobile Substrate.  Saurik already has a new version out which disables Mobile Substrate for Skype.  After updating that, your Skype application will work much better.  So go do it.
2. Skype for iPhones doesn't work with subscriptions.  Wait... what?  Yeah, that is what I said.  You need to have Skype credit to call people, you cannot simply be using a subscription.  This is undoubtably a purposeful move done by Skype for business purposes, but it is still ridiculous I think.  Now, I need to get credit as well as my subscription?  Or should I just ditch the subscription?  But wait, there goes my voicemail, and money off the online number.  I seriously believe that Skype should rethink their decision and open the program up for their many subscription users.  Edit:  Within the last few hours I have gotten the application to work with my Unlimited US and Canada plan.  Make sure you type in the number correctly!
   
3. EDIT:  It also appears that Skype cannot be run in the background using Backgrounder on a jailbroken phone.  I do not know why, and I am hoping there will be a workaround if this is true.
4. Editing the Edit:  Saurik released a new update today that gets around Skype's DRM.  All Mobile Substrate programs work with it again after the update via Cydia.  My iTouch is getting more and more like an iPhone.
   

Edit Edit:  I contacted Saurik, the developer of Mobile Substrate, and he said that backgrounder will work once he enables the Mobile Substrate to work with Skype.  I am sure he is working on such an update!

Skype on the iPod Touch

Well, it's been an interesting few days as I try and make my iPod touch as much like an iPhone.  Some interesting and sad developments have happened, such as the death of Infinite SMS, and my attempts to get Skype on the iTouch.

Well, I have.  By buying an "online number" I have made it so I can call people from my iTouch, and they can call me back.  The only problem is, it isn't working as well as I would like it too.

At the moment, I am using Fring, Backgrounder, and KeepAwake to power my jailbroken iTouch.  Fring is a client which can hook up to Skype.  Backgrounder allows  the app to run in the background, so I can do other stuff while still waiting for incoming calls.  And lastly, KeepAwake keeps my WiFi on all the time, and in theory, it keeps the iPod from going into sleep mode.  This last option allows me to black my screen, but I don't need to worry about the iPod fall asleep and disconnecting fring.

Well, it isn't working as well as I would like it too.  I woke up after sleeping and tried calling my iTouch - it didn't ring.  Upon checking, fring had disconnected.  So the entire integration idea needs work.  Basically, I need an Application that always runs in the background, always stays connected to skype, always keeps my WiFi on, and will always ring.  I feel that the best way to do this is to make it myself - so hopefully soon, I will start in on this adventure.  Wish me luck!

Edit:  This post here might mean a Skype Application is coming to the iPhone.  Now the Jailbreaking communicty needs to get a hand on it and make it a perfect replacement!

Skype + iTouch = iPhone

Well, almost.  You still need WiFi to actually make calls, but if you are like me, and have WiFi everywhere you go... it's pretty damn close.

You don't even need to jailbreak your iTouch.  If you use a free application like Fring or Nimbuzz, you can sign into your Skype Account.  As long as you have credit (I got Unlimited to US and Canada - Come on, it's $3 a month), you can call people from your iTouch.  Mind you, you will need some way to input sound (the 2 generation iTouch supports the iPhone Headphones, the ones with the mic on it), but once you get that.... it works.

So, I mean, thinking about it, it is an investment.  You need the iTouch, the headphones, and the Skype.  But when you compare that to how much an iPhone plan costs... you save after the first year (depending on how big your iTouch is).  I'm really excited to start calling people.  I'll let everyone know what the quality is like.

Next step though... Jailbreak it.

UPDATE:  I haven't jailbroken the iPod yet, but I have made calls from it.  I called my Dad (From the east coast to the west coast) and there was some lag in the conversation - on my part I think.  I'm going to see if that was a distance problem, but I suspect it may be like that for most conversations, which is really disappointing.  I'll work on more details.  But to make it clear - I can call people from my iTouch now.