Skype for iPhone Updated to Support Multitasking

[frunkis54]

Wow seriously people this is big. with it getting 3g support a few months back and FINALLY GETTING 4.0 support.

this will be used for alot of people now as much as the iphone phone app.

 

[fabian9]

I was gonna say great, since you currently have to jailbreak your ipad and install backgrounder to make it really useful, but then remembered you still also have to jailbreak to install voip over 3g, so your calls don't drop as soon as you're ten feet from home.

What would be really useful is a freakin iPad interface already! And SMS, like textnow offers!

And where the hell's the ipad facebook app!?!

...crickets...

Skype already works over 3g.

beat me to it...

 

[nfl46]

FINALLY! I almost bought Beejive because I need multitasking for Skype. Plus the icon is high-res (THANK YOU). No need to hide it in a folder now.

 

[kramjam]

For the people that have the 2GB data a month, how much will an average call consume up? Just wondering, I'm still on unlimited.

 

[donny77]

Yes you get a pop up message telling you that somebody is calling you...

But it will not wake up the phone. You can't receive a call if you are not "using" the phone already...

 

[canadianpj]

But does this deserve front page MR news?

Can we please stop these idiotic posts? If you do not like the story just mark it as negative and stop wasting our time thank you.

 

[clg82]

Any guess on how long it will be until skype implements the video chat? And they probably will charge for it........but over 3g network?

 

[lomafor]

Just tried it. Work perfectly! I think they also update the GUI for retine display as well.

 

[fabian9]

I also just read on the skype blog that they are no longer planning on charging for skype-2-skype calls via 3G!!

http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/iphone_multitasking_3g.html

 

[morespce54]

Sweeeeeeeeeet. Now it just needs video chat.

NO, that would duplicate the functionality of a built-in app... (albeit facetime)

 

[LouieSamman]

About time. Now all they need is video chat and it will be complete.

 

[zhenya]

But it will not wake up the phone. You can't receive a call if you are not "using" the phone already...

My early testing indicates that is not the case. Phone can be 'off' via top button and phone will wake up to ring.

 

[baryon]

Great news, but in the meanwhile, "the rest of us" still won't get push notifications will we?

 

[fabianvs]

waiting for video calls aswell

 

[Speedy2]

Why does the multitasking not work on the 3rd generation iPod Touch? Same amount of memory/speed as the 3GS, and is capable of multitasking with iOS4? Why did Skype exclude it?

Did they? I've just quickly tested text chat and could receive a message even when Skype was in the background. Haven't tested voice chat though.

 

[Bathplug]

Just updated! awesome news. However skypes multitasking doesn't work with a jailbroken iphone (app not supported error message) so I will still need backgrounder

 

[a1kim]

That's the whole point about multitasking for VoIP apps, that you actually be reachable under your Skype number without being forced to keep Skype running always in the foreground (which is not practical).

Agreed. That's why I asked the question. Everything I'd read about the VOIP background API stated something about keeping a call connected, but there was never any mention of receiving calls in the background.

Of course now that I went and checked Apple's site and found the page with more VOIP API details, I see that they do specifically state you can receive calls in the background. My bad.

 

[frunkis54]

But it will not wake up the phone. You can't receive a call if you are not "using" the phone already...

does for me. for the first part that is.

 

[giosaccone]

Finaly Finaly Finaly Finaly Finaly Finaly

 

[zhenya]

Just updated! awesome news. However skypes multitasking doesn't work with a jailbroken iphone (app not supported error message) so I will still need backgrounder

I get that message too, but it still works.

 

[meeksdigital]

pointless, where is video chat already?

actually, not pointless at all. I pay $3.00 a month for skype pro, which gives me unlimited calling to cell phones and landlines in the US and Canada. So for $3.00 a month... I can make unlimited calls... and not pay AT&T for that crap. Now with calling over 3G for no extra charge, this is definitely big... I could theoretically reduce the number of minutes on my plan by a LOT.

Skype... you've finally come through. Thanks a bunch!

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Skype already works over 3g.

Whuuuuuuurt!? Holy moly, that's great news! Now I don't have to JB!

Now all they need are bigger interface graphics.

and sms service

and video chat

 

[whynot83706]

So at this point when you make call over 3G, do you use minutes or you use Data.

 

[Jon the Heretic]

well iPod Touch is not listed

Did they? I've just quickly tested text chat and could receive a message even when Skype was in the background. Haven't tested voice chat though.

No iPod Touch is listed as supporting multitasking for Skype (not even the 3rd gen). An oversight maybe? It is not listed as supporting multitasking on Skype's web site either.

 

[bilbo--baggins]

Just tested it. Does work when the iPhone is locked. However it took far too long to start ringing, about 30 seconds after initiating the call on another iPhone.

Update: on second attempt it went through to answerphone despite being on strong home wifi network.