One of my first thoughts on realizing that Skype's mobile client would now work with smartphones was "great, free phone calls." I thought about canceling my mobile service, getting a smartphone and signing up for an unlimited data plan -- with no voice service.Well, that might still work (if you're willing to always use an external headset. Skype won't route sound through your smartphone's speaker), but the calls won't exactly be free.
SkypeOut calls to telephones in the U.S. and Canada have been free since May. But that was obviously too good to last, and the company said at the time that the promotion would only last through the end of the year. Skype general manager Don Albert told the New York Times that people have shown that they're willing to make SkypeOut calls if they're reasonably priced.
To that end, starting January 1st, Skype will charge $29.95 a year for unlimited SkypeOut calling, which is still a pretty good deal if you ask me. And if you sign up before January 31st, you'll get service for just $14.95. If you don't have a plan, calls within the U.S. and Canada will cost 2.1 cents per minute. Rates to other countries vary.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-13-2006 @ 12:54PM
Randy Phillips said...
Your comment about Skype audio doesn't agree with my experience - at least with my Dash. It worked just like any phone call, with audio coming through where it should, no external headset needed (although I couldn't hear my voice fed back through like I normally can).
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12-13-2006 @ 12:54PM
Ryan James said...
Just a question...does this new version of Skype work on PALM smartphones?? I can't seem to find a place to download it.
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12-13-2006 @ 1:12PM
justin said...
Randy,
I was about to install it on my 8125 but am apprehensive for that exact reason, the loudspeaker thing. Do you know if its works differently with a smartphone than with a PPC?
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12-13-2006 @ 2:10PM
DiRT said...
Not free anymore? Uninstalling now...
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12-13-2006 @ 4:31PM
Randy Phillips said...
"Do you know if its works differently with a smartphone than with a PPC?"
Don't own a PPC, Justin, so I have no info on that, but I would think that since a PPC is not strictly meant to be used as a phone, the speaker issue may apply. In fact, if Brad had said PPC instead of Smartphone regarding the speaker, he would have been correct, I think. But it does indeed work as advertised on a Windows Mobile smartphone (and not Palm...sorry, Ryan).
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12-13-2006 @ 4:44PM
Fergus Macdonald said...
Sadly i have found that Skype isn't always reliable enough to justify a permanent switch.
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12-13-2006 @ 11:03PM
Kevin M. said...
Skype to skype calls (and skypecasts too) are still free... and always will be.
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12-13-2006 @ 11:03PM
Nic said...
Randy-
I've been wanting to get a smart phone to use skype. Is it easy to setup on the dash? Can you give a website to get more specific details on how the installation and use works? Calls can be made even when there is no cell service, just wifi.?.?
Thank you for any info...
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12-13-2006 @ 11:18PM
VoIP Monitoring said...
IMO, Skype actually sucks!
You can get a lot more from a SIP provider then this eBay owned service.
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12-28-2006 @ 8:17AM
Jeff Greene said...
I don't think there's really any cause to complain about Skype again charging for outgoing calls to landlines. The free calls deal was great while it lasted. Purely VoIP calls will still be free, and Skype's unlimited service plan is relatively inexpensive.
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