Skype for iPhone Coming as Early as Next Week?

[MacRumors]

GigaOM reports that an iPhone version of Skype may be released as soon as next week, possibly at the CTIA Wireless trade show in Las Vegas.

A few months ago, I asked Skype CEO Josh Silverman when was he going to launch the iPhone version of the P2P voice and IM service that has now been downloaded more than 405 million times. He smiled and said, "Stay tuned." And so we did.

A tipster — a very reliable one — tells me that Skype is almost ready to launch that iPhone version, perhaps as soon as next week. CTIA Wireless, a large mobile industry trade event, kicks off in Las Vegas next Wednesday, so perhaps the announcement will be made there. I am working on getting more details, as well as screenshots of the service.

While a number of iPhone applications currently support Skype, a standalone Skype application will undoubtedly appeal to many of the service's users.

Article Link: Skype for iPhone Coming as Early as Next Week?

 

[DHarrisDBS34]

Would this work on a iPod Touch in Wifi with a mic connected? That would be very nice.

 

[iSimx]

about time! looking forward to this.

 

[arkitect]

Great news… if true.

 

[scirica]

Great news… if true.

Agreed!

 

[iMacoo7]

Seems like awfully great timing as a new iphone will arise this coming summer (WWDC June 8th-12th) , might indeed carry a front facing camera. If the new iPhone is capable of connecting to the internet faster than previous models , this would help with the skype video calling feature, thus leaving allot of people happy as well

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

baller

 

[armhol]

Would this work on a iPod Touch in Wifi with a mic connected? That would be very nice.

I'm pretty sure it would. You can do this already with 'Fring' or 'Nimbuzz'

 

[happydude]

would this break the terms of agreement for developers, i.e. creating a competing product of the iphone's native apps. seems like giving people the ability to talk on the iphone without using a cell service provider would go against those terms.

don't get me wrong, would be an amazing app, especially for touch owners. i just can't see apple supporting it.

 

[arkitect]

would this break the terms of agreement for developers, i.e. creating a competing product of the iphone's native apps. seems like giving people the ability to talk on the iphone without using a cell service provider would go against those terms.

don't get me wrong, would be an amazing app, especially for touch owners. i just can't see apple supporting it.

How would this be different from what others are doing right now? They are also "breaking" the terms of agreement and Apple isn't stopping them.

 

[macusernick]

i just can't see apple supporting it.

Honestly, I don't think Apple is the one who would care... AT&T would be. Apple will make their sale either way, but the carriers are the ones who lose. Having said that though, I bet AT&T will do about anything to keep Apple from going to the competition with the iPhone (see... OS 3.0 tethering?!). I know they had that deal with Apple, but I think that is running out and the iPhone is a beast of a money-maker.

 

[djdjek]

That would be great. Can't wait to test it.

 

[vista.john]

How would this be different from what for example Fring is doing right now?

I can't get fring to work smoothly most of the time. Voice stutter etc. etc.

 

[arkitect]

I can't get fring to work smoothly most of the time. Voice stutter etc. etc.

Sorry to hear. Works fine for me…
But… I was asking happydude why he thought it would be against Apple's rules.

Not because I am implying Fring (and others) are irreplacable.

 

[vista.john]

Sorry to hear. Works fine for me…
But… I was asking happydude why he thought it would be against Apple's rules.

Not because I am implying Fring (and others) are irreplacable.

I see...

 

[nilo]

I think skype calls will only work on wifi. I hope not.

 

[nagromme]

I think skype calls will only work on wifi. I hope not.

That's what Apple said way back: the carrier will not allow you to bypass their voice plan and get unlimited free minutes over their data network. BUT when you're on WiFi, you're free to use VOIP.

 

[spaceballl]

Very excited! I hope it supports skypeout and bluetooth headsets!

How would this be different from what for example Fring is doing right now?

Because Fring's implementation is utter trash.

 

[dante@sisna.com]

I can't get fring to work smoothly most of the time. Voice stutter etc. etc.

Boy do I second this.

Fring is a nice concept but it simply does not work reliably. Love Skype however.

 

[arkitect]

Because Fring's implementation is utter trash.

Read the comment I was replying to.
I was asking happydude why he thought it would be against Apple's rules.

Not because I am implying Fring (and others) is irreplacable.
Reading comprehension, people.

Simples.

 

[happydude]

How would this be different from what others are doing right now? They are also "breaking" the terms of agreement and Apple isn't stopping them.

there's not a lot of others that are copying apple's native apps. they didn't allow podcatcher, for example. firefox app either. i'm sure there are some, but apple has made a big deal about a couple. all i'm saying is i'd be surprised if apple allows this through. as another poster pointed out, at&t would have the biggest interest in not allowing it.

 

[navigates]

Fring is a Joke. Voice Stutter is very bad

 

[DHarrisDBS34]

That's what Apple said way back: the carrier will not allow you to bypass their voice plan and get unlimited free minutes over their data network. BUT when you're on WiFi, you're free to use VOIP.

I'd love Skype on the iPhone/iPod Touch, even if it's just on Wifi (because that wouldn't effect me )

I hope this is true.

 

[Cherry Bomb]

Oh how good would this be if true.

We can only hope that the carriers don't kick up a fuss and try to block it due to it potentially reducing their profits quite significantly.

 

[JavaWizKid]

Oh nice, better VOIP iPod Touch!

Cheap iPhone!