Skype adds video calls to iPhone app, works on 3G/Wi-Fi

[Julio Franco]

Skype is hoping to be at the center of your voice and video communication in the near future, that is, if you don't rely already on one of the various services the company has on offer. Today Skype announced an update to its iPhone app that will let you make free video calls on iOS-based devices.

The iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 4th generation will be able to make and receive calls via Wi-Fi and 3G connections as long as you are running iOS 4.0, or above. The iPad and 3rd-gen iPod Touch will only be good for receiving video calls as they lack a camera. All devices will also be able to communicate with desktop clients running Windows, OS X or Linux.

There's no word yet on when a similar update for Android-based devices or other platforms will arrive, but we have to guess it's just a matter of time considering the increasing popularity of Google's mobile platform.

Despite some recent issues Skype experienced, the decentralized peer to peer nature of their network is known to be one of the most reliable and speedy for videoconferencing (not to mention free). This will no doubt pose a threat to Apple's highly touted Facetime feature that only works through Wi-Fi and between iPhones.

Surprisingly Apple has not enforced any restrictions on the revamped Skype app, nor have we heard any complaints from AT&T or other iPhone-exclusive mobile carriers (yet). According to Mac blog, 9to5Mac, a minute of a Skype video call uses ~3.4 MB of data per minute.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/41774-skype-adds-video-calls-to-iphone-app-works-on-3g-wi-fi.html

 

[Guest]

You can use Skype with free app DataMan Lite to closely watch your data usage to stop overage.

 

[example1013]

Oh man, AT&T is going to be crying and begging them to stop with the bandwidth this is going to eat up.

 

[princeton]

example1013 said:
Oh man, AT&T is going to be crying and begging them to stop with the bandwidth this is going to eat up.

As long as people don't go over AT&T have no reason to whine. They shouldn't give out data plans they can't handle.

 

[St1ckM4n]

LOL. "Sup guys, Apple here. We are offering you a magical, revolutionary, and totally brand-new feature - video calling!! But only via wifi to other iPhone4/iPod users."

 

[matrix86]

st1ckm4n said:
LOL. "Sup guys, Apple here. We are offering you a magical, revolutionary, and totally brand-new feature - video calling!! But only via wifi to other iPhone4/iPod users."

This is because there is only one iOS phone with a front facing camera. Android has only 2, I think, that are limited to only make calls to other Android phones. But that's why people make 3rd party apps (Tango let's you call cross platform). If Apple wasn't so strict and uptight, iOS would be on multiple phones with front facing cameras, so you could call more than just the iPhone.

Google - 1
Apple - 0

 

[princeton]

st1ckm4n said:
LOL. "Sup guys, Apple here. We are offering you a magical, revolutionary, and totally brand-new feature - video calling!! But only via wifi to other iPhone4/iPod users."

The funny part is although he claimed it was a first it wasn't even remotely a first. Europe has had it for over 5 years.

 

[Guest]

The problem is, if one has a 3G iPhone, one cannot carry on a face-to-face conversation (unless you want to keep turning the phone around to show the camera). Useless...the title of this story should have been "...Skype adds video calls to iPhone app, works on 4G/Wi-Fi only..."

And THAT is why AT&T doesn't have to worry about bandwidth--YET(not as many 4G's sold as 3G's).

 

[Gars]

the whole article says - use alternatives mf!
who cares about skate..

 

[princeton]

Guest said:
The problem is, if one has a 3G iPhone, one cannot carry on a face-to-face conversation (unless you want to keep turning the phone around to show the camera). Useless...the title of this story should have been "...Skype adds video calls to iPhone app, works on 4G/Wi-Fi only..."

And THAT is why AT&T doesn't have to worry about bandwidth--YET(not as many 4G's sold as 3G's).

Uh.... You realize the iphone 4 doesn't mean it runs on 4G. It's the 4th gen iphone. I think your confused. That's why the 2G was called that and the 3G that but no G after the 4. Because it signifies 4th generation but same network. Also the fact that AT&T doesn't have 4G.

 

[SnipeD]

If you look at what 4G is you would know no carrier is using 4G in the US.