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Apple and Skype React to AT&T's Announcement of Support for iPhone VoIP Services
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A-List is a pretty cool feature. Not very well advertised, but it caused me to upgrade my plan to the next level.
If they open up tethering, that would be perfect.
And that should have been obvious from the beginning. Apple could care less, but the backbone provider always does.
I really doubt it, the thing is T-Mobile is pretty much a lesser AT&T.. they might allow more freedom and possibly better deals but their coverage is smaller.
Unless Apple decides to go for a CDMA phone... there really isn't some savior there.. and I just can't imagine that they'll release one.. even if I'd love one and Verizon desperately needs a good media phone/everyone phone (IE A smartphone that's not a blackberry).
I can't imagine apple hasn't been anticipating it. I can't imagine skype hasn't been preparing for it. I can't imagine apple wouldn't have known about ATT's decision well before it was announced. Based on those assumptions (does anyone see any flaws in them?) I'd be amazed if it takes long for this to be implemented.
LOL so true. I think people will say anything to make a stiuation appear Apple has all the cards.
What other carrier is Apple going to sell with in the US? According to everyone here, they couldnt possibly be developing a CDMA iphone in parallel...
Meh...
Hey Apple! Why don't you mention SlingMedia support over 3G while you have AT&T's jewels in a vice as well!
Hey Apple! Why don't you mention SlingMedia support over 3G while you have AT&T's jewels in a vice as well!
Yes and no. Apple always said that AT&T never had any part of the aprovial process and it looks like they don't. That doesn't mean that Apple and AT&T didn't have an agreement from the start blocking such apps. That's why Apple is admending their developer agreement.
If this happens, I am willing to bet ether Skype raises prices or AT&T's coverage gets worse. AT&T would like to bleed the money directly from your ass so I wouldn't be surprised if there is a catch.
Doubt this is the case. AT&T cannot afford to have its reception get any worse now that is it now the 4th rated carrier in terms of customers satisfactionwith the network/customer service not to mention now Verizon is running ads claiming their 3G network is about 10x larger then AT&T (and from the maps, it looks that way
) I really hope AT&T is waking up. I doubt they are to late, and they can still pull a u-turn and head back into the right direction. Hopefully they continue to amp up spending on improving their 3g network and their next network deployment goes well.
The company still hopes to see government policies enacted to provide for the openness necessary for Skype to be available throughout the industry.
Article Link: Apple and Skype React to AT&T's Announcement of Support for iPhone VoIP Services
Oh, Skype. Cut the Orwellian crap about "openness" and be honest: You want a law passed that forces your competitors to lay down the red carpet for you.
I dont think so. In UK next year we will have three carriers like O2, Orange and Vodafone for iphone. I am sure that one of them if not all of them will try crash competition by implementing VOIP over 3G. Also some free tethering will take place too to get more people in. So competition is good thing. AT&T as a one player in US=not good for US regardless of Skype 3G or not.
What I think is that AT&T will put some charges on Skype app via tethering mode. Their network is overloaded already and using data for voice is surely not good move for them.
The big UK carriers - O2 and Orange particularly - got a bit snotty with Nokia a while back for including Skype on it's handsets and they also like to disable Nokia's built in SIP support. So I wouldn't bet on them allowing Skype over 3G.
At the other end of the scale, Three include Skype with free calls for life on their phones over wifi and 3G even out of contract or with no PAYG credit available on your phone. Yes, that's right, FREE with no contract.
My Three Nokia E71 also came with Gizmo installed. If the iPhone came to Three in the UK, I'd imagine there would be quite some panic in the boardrooms of O2, Orange and Vodafone, otherwise I don't think we'll see much difference to O2's current restrictive service.
I can't say I'm impressed with Apple if the restriction on VoIP over 3G for the entire world was because of their US carrier.
From my recollection, Google Voice isn't a VOIP application, and it was never the VOIP that Apple took exception to anyway.
AT&T not available at my residence
I just moved about 8 tenths of a mile down the street and now I don't get 3G or any AT&T Phone Service whatsoever in my house. I got in the car, had to reboot the phone and then I got 3 calls, 4 texts all from last night before 8PM.
By allowing Google Voice and Skype, it gives me the chance to actually use my iPhone for voice over my WiFi at my new home. I'm still livid that I have to pay out the nose for a brick. Yes, I called AT&T and they told me "3G is available at your house." Um, come here yourself... Try it.
So, maybe that's what got them to change?
I just moved about 8 tenths of a mile down the street and now I don't get 3G or any AT&T Phone Service whatsoever in my house. I got in the car, had to reboot the phone and then I got 3 calls, 4 texts all from last night before 8PM.
By allowing Google Voice and Skype, it gives me the chance to actually use my iPhone for voice over my WiFi at my new home. I'm still livid that I have to pay out the nose for a brick. Yes, I called AT&T and they told me "3G is available at your house." Um, come here yourself... Try it.
So, maybe that's what got them to change?
Apple never said that ATT had no part of the approval process. They said that Apple makes the final decision, which is a totally different claim. ATT does have input:
From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration. - Apple
In addition, AT&T admitted to the FCC that they had expressed concerns about at least three apps after their approval, and they were changed or removed.
And in fact, they did have such an agreement:
"There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T’s permission.
Apple honors this obligation, in addition to respecting AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone." - Apple
AT&T's contract with apple exclusivity is coming to an end? Last ditch effort to keep/gain customers before they aren't the only carrier in the US?