- Webmessenger Mobile for Skype from Webessenger Inc.
- IM+ for Skype from Shape Services
- iSkoot for Skype from iSkoot
WebMess - Free, desktop client needed
IM+ - $29.95, no desktop client needed
iSkoot - Free, no desktop client needed
Pricing:
Cost voice to voice = Skype out cost from users country to your country mobile
Cost chat = data only (+incoming sms if in USA)
Cost voice to Skype out = Skype out to you plus Skype out cost to the contact
These services are pretty cool but all of them require an out and back approach to making the call: From what I understand, your mobile Skype client calls the person you want to speak to, who then calls you back on your mobile, using the Skype Out tariff from their country to your mobile. (IM+ and iSkoot both use the cellular network to call you back on your mobile) …and with Webmessenger, your call is somehow directed to your desktop computer before connecting to your contact.
This is all a bit complicated to me. Why can’t the Skype call be initiated and completed directly through a data stream on the mobile networks. I understand that EDGE is horribly slow, but hopefully with 3G being pushed big time with the appearance of the 3G iPhone and 3G BlackBerrys this summer perhaps this sort of out and back can be avoided!
One side note: For users with Wi-Fi enabled phones NOT including BlackBerry, unfortunately, Fring will dial directly through your Wi-Fi connection as if on your PC. Not only does it do an amazing job with Skype, it also integrates MSN
Messenger, ICQ, Google Talk™, SIP, Twitter, AIM & Yahoo!™ in the same dang package!!! My brother has tried this with his iPhone and it works great. Chat, and calls! Luxury
In terms of user interface and use, I think iSkoot is great. The product is very well refined, the layout and accessing the buttons is intuitive. The application is light and responsive as well. I look forward to a less “round the world approach” to skype on BlackBerry (moip) technology. Check here for a great post which looks at moip in a bit more detail than my rant.
*UPDATE - *I just found this post which explains why Fring and it’s sexy technology doesn’t work with BlackBerry OS in the way I was hoping it would. Oh well…!
