Skype is looking to expand its mobile offerings and is opening up a public beta for its mobile software. You don’t need a computer to make free calls anymore. Use 3 Skypephone instead. It’s a stylish mobile phone that calls, texts and takes pictures like you’d expect it to – but wait, there’s more – you can call and instant message your friends on Skype, free. About 50 different phone models are compatible with the Java-based software. It allows users to chat, show their online presence, and receive both calls from other users as well as through SkypeIn. Mobile operator 3 during that time brought Skype to the mobile, however it was not true VoIP as it is commonly found. Instead, the voice signals flowed through a separate voice channel on the company's network. During the beta, the company will use consumer feedback to adjust the product to meet the needs of its users. Users in several markets also get additional features, including the placing of SkypeOut and Skype-to-Skype calls. Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom will all have markets that gain those additional features. The beta is expected to last several months. "We need to hear what delights them and where there is still work to be done," mobile chief Gareth O'Loughlin said of the beta. "This product underscores our commitment to innovation and to putting Skype conversations in the pockets of today's mobile masses."
The company had been distancing itself from mobile Skype due to handset and technical issues for some time. However it now appears those hurdles have been overcome, and the VoIP software is ready for prime time on mobile devices.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Skype is now mobile. Calling your world is free.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Get Skype On Your iPhone
Do you want Skype on your iPhone? Well, you're in luck. Shape Services has launched a version of Skype for the iPhone, no hacking required.
Shape Services' Skype client is Web based so you can use it on your iPhone without the need for a hack. Otherwise, though, it works just like Skype. You can use Skype chat, make peer-to-peer VoIP calls, and even use SkypeOut to call regular phone numbers.
Well, almost. There is one drawback. You have to pay for all the calls you make, even the Skype-to-Skype connections which are normally free:
There is a catch, though. Unlike PC based calls, you'll need to pay even if calling another Skype user: IM+ places the free VoIP call as usual, but then calls you back on your iPhone at SkypeOut rates. Still, if you are making calls abroad, it'll be a lot cheaper, and the service is free while in beta testing.
Aside from having to pay for the Skype calls, this looks pretty cool. It also demonstrates that the iPhone, unlike most smartphones, is ready for desktop-style Web-based applications.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Yahoo finally launches Yahoo Go for Mobile 2.0
Yahoo Go for Mobile 2.0 will launch in beta for consumers in the UK and 12 other countries around the world on Friday.
The localised beta version of Yahoo Go 2.0 will be available for more than 200 different mobile phones by the end of July and that will expand to more than 400 by end of year. It will also be pre-loaded on new devices from Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG and HTC that begin rolling out later this year.
Yahoo says that Go for Mobile 2.0 is "an innovative new application that redefines the mobile internet experience". Go for Mobile 2.0 includes much improved mobile search and allows user to personalise internet content.
Yahoo claims that mobile internet search will be fully localised for users in around the world, including the UK, and Canada, France and Germany, as well as other European countries and great swathes of the far east.
Yahoo believes that Go for Mobile 2.0 will make mobile web search faster than ever before. Email has been improved, so mobile phone users can open more types of attachments, including PDFs and Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents.
Yahoo also says that Go for Mobile 2.0 allows user to search their Yahoo Address Book contacts to call or even get driving directions with one-click.
“We believe that Yahoo Go will be a catalyst for broader adoption of the mobile internet,” said Marco Boerries, executive vice president, Connected Life Division, of Yahoo.
“People want easy access to the internet on their mobile phones, and Yahoo Go 2.0 offers content, access and answers wherever you are.”
Friday, June 15, 2007
Alarm Master 2.0Beta for WM Smartphones is available for free testing!
Connective Tools announces availability of Alarm Master 2.0 Beta for free testing till June, 30. Alarm Master is a useful and easy to use tool that helps you manage personal alarms on your Windows Mobile smartphone.
In this version you'll find several important additions and improvements:
Icon Selection is new and unique Alarm Master feature! Now you can select icons for your alarms. Next time when alarm occurs you'll see this thematic image instead of boring default icon!
Sorting and Filtering. The list of alarms could be sorted by type, by time, by name and by occurrence type. Also you can choose whether you want to display different alarm types. You can also disable displaying of disabled and outdated alarms.
Interface improvements and other small additions...
The key Alarm Master features: simple and convenient user interface, unlimited number of alarms, flexible time settings, special layout for alarm-clock, flexible sound configuration, and many other features!
Alarm Master v2.0Beta for Windows Mobile Smartphones can be downloaded from the company website. WM5 and WM6 smartphones are supported in this version.
Connective Tools is a high-tech company specializing in development software for Windows Mobile. The company invents new technologies and develops interesting and useful applications for WM users worldwide.
Smart2Go (Nokia Maps) beta over?
Smart2Go, in beta for months, is 'final', or as final as a first version can be. Although we were told that it's not available yet, the Smart2Go web site seems to show it. See the comments below, for example. Listed in the full story are most of the improvements, applicable to both the generic version and the 'Nokia Maps' brand within the N95 and E90. Lots that's new - I've made a few screenshots below...
Here are some of the updates you can look forward too:
Navigation Trial: 3-day free Navigation trial
Giving you a chance to try out the voice navigation features before upgrading.
New indicators: GPS status, bandwidth indicators
Giving you more information and allowing you to keep track of the data being used by the application.
Map improvements: Colouring, details, horizon, country borders & time zones
Unified search: All search methods in one menu & intuitive search interaction
Improved category search: Multi-level search (Eat + Drink -> Restaurants -> Thai)
Faster navigation start: Starts before full route calculated, starts without GPS fix.
Faster MapLoader: Download speed improved significantly and voice command download
A very welcome update which should hopefully improve the multi hour download times.
New regions: India and Indonesia plus better coverage in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore (in total more than 100 countries/over 50 navigable)