An update on Skype for iPhone and calling over 3G
We’ve updated our iPhone app – you can now make video calls.
Update: We’ve released a new version of the app which lets you make and receive calls over 3G.
Many of you have been asking when we’ll release a version of Skype for iPhone which supports 3G calling. Well, the simple answer is soon.
Last Thursday, Apple introduced the iPad, which we’re very excited about here at Skype. David Ponsford, who features in the video above, and his team are reviewing the device and its specs, and you can expect to hear more from us about Skype for iPad in due course.
What does this have to do with calling over 3G? The SDK (Software Development Kit) which Apple provides to developers like Skype has been upgraded for the iPad. The new version, 3.2, removes the restrictions on calling over 3G, which is great news.
You may have seen other apps offering calls over 3G, but we’re holding ours back for a little bit longer. Why? So that we can give you the very best audio quality we can. When our 3G-capable Skype for iPhone app is released, it’ll let you make calls in wideband audio, giving you greater clarity and fidelity – because that’s what you expect from Skype.
To be among the first to know when the 3G-capable app is available, follow @skypemobile on Twitter or subscribe to this blog either by RSS or email using the links to the right.
Yeah, I think most people here knew that the “3G app was ready and just waiting on Apple” was a lie and just a diversion to buy time from the start. The only people that believed it were the skype fan boys that just repeat the misinformation. If skype is so concerned about call quality on the iPhone why haven’t they fixed it on the wifi version, why do they continue to put out buggy and bad sounding versions instead of something reliable and good sounding? It is really sad the junk updates they have been throwing at us. Hey skype, I think you may need some real iPhone programers that know what they are doing – give us a bug free version for once where the high frequency isn’t so muffled it sounds like you are talking through a pillow.
So, Skype says “blah blah blah soon blah blah blah”
Well I waited for a while.
Yesterday I signed up for Toktumi and Line2 on my iPhone.
Now I have a second 1-800 number and push to my iPhone
So, I guess I will stop using Skype now.
I don’t understand how Skype is stopping my phone from using the 3G network when I first downloaded it yesterday I was able to make phone calls using my 3G network then 2 hours later a note started showing up stating “you need wifi to call over Skype. Skype calls over 3G networks are currently not allowed due to contractual restriction.” I called my provider and ask if I should be having any problems with Skype and if they had any contractual restrictions that would stop me from using Skype. They said that I should be able to use Skype over my 3G network and that they did not have any blocks on. I don’t understand how I was making calls at the start and now I can’t.
Hey Skype/Peter/Whoever: You suck. You lied your asses off, then you don’t respond and leave people hanging. Hey Peter: why don’t you take your effeminite smirky justifications and actually say something useful for once- like explaining why your company has failed to deliver on something it said was “ready to go”?
So you aren’t even owning up to your own broken promises-
is that a symptom of you being smuggy Europeans or a result of a crappy corporate culture that feels there are no consequences (reputation or otherwise) for nonexistent customer service? I’d like to know but clearly none of you have any modicum of cajones to even acknowledge the frustrations of your customer base. Now go enjoy your tea and crumpets and strawberries and cream while reminiscing about the “Old Empire” and your antiquated sense of identity based on failed royalty. Cheers, bloke.
“Hey Skype/Peter/Whoever: You suck. You lied your asses off, then you don’t respond and leave people hanging. Hey Peter: why don’t you take your effeminite smirky justifications and actually say something useful for once- like explaining why your company has failed to deliver on something it said was “ready to go”?
So you aren’t even owning up to your own broken promises-
is that a symptom of you being smuggy Europeans or a result of a crappy corporate culture that feels there are no consequences (reputation or otherwise) for nonexistent customer service? I’d like to know but clearly none of you have any modicum of cajones to even acknowledge the frustrations of your customer base. Now go enjoy your tea and crumpets and strawberries and cream while reminiscing about the “Old Empire” and your antiquated sense of identity based on failed royalty. Cheers, bloke.”
I think your personal attack is completely uncalled for and small minded.
“I don’t understand how Skype is stopping my phone from using the 3G network when I first downloaded it yesterday I was able to make phone calls using my 3G network then 2 hours later a note started showing up stating “you need wifi to call over Skype. Skype calls over 3G networks are currently not allowed due to contractual restriction.” I called my provider and ask if I should be having any problems with Skype and if they had any contractual restrictions that would stop me from using Skype. They said that I should be able to use Skype over my 3G network and that they did not have any blocks on. I don’t understand how I was making calls at the start and now I can’t.!
Because when you started making calls via skype you must have had Wifi switched on. The current version unless it is hacked via a jailbreak can not communicate over 3G. This is because Apple won’t approve it otherwise, it has nothing to do with the networks.
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It is a shame skype havn’t released anything just yet but i’m sure the wait will be worthwhile, for now use Fring (inferior sound quality). I don’t see how it is possible to get so angry over what is essentially FREE software. Even if it was paid for I could not understand!
Well Dan Walmsey, I think the personal promises given by Skype/Peter and David Ponsit and their failures to communicate and their lies are small minded and uncalled for.
I think skype as a company is starting to die. Gone are the days during which I was able to login to skype within a second. Now it takes 30 secs to a minute to get all contact list.
Infact, yahoo im on iphone 3gs starts up way faster than skype. Skype is busy partnering with Verizon and samsung. Come one guys. Last thing we need is a skype client on a tv. Leave our tv alone and release the iphone client with 3g calling.
Where’s the 3G update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! David Ponsford, were you lying to your customers when you said the update was coming soon? Is your development team competent? Why would one of your staff state an update was ready to go when it wasn’t. Why is there a delay in getting us an update released? Customers want answers and you are simply ignoring them.
Have you ever heard of talking to and with people in a decent manner? Do you really think shouting, cussing and calling people names is going to get this software out there to us sooner. I for one would appreciate everyone backing off. I appreciate the fact that this is FREE software for communication via the Internet, and I prefer that it is working properly for my devices.
I appreciate what Skype has done and will be doing in the future. Some people don’t seem to understand that bullying, whining and yelling aren’t effective request procedures.
David Ponsford, Why won’t you respond you’re your customer’s questions? You are being asked daily from multiple people wanting to know when the update will be available. You are also seeing questions coming from twitter as well.
Are you not the product manager of mobile at Skype? Do you not understand that this is part of you job? How hard is it for you to keep your customers informed?
I personally think you are doing a poor job in communicating and meeting customer needs on the mobile platform.
Without giving to much detail… I can tell you the organization I work for probably spends thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars each month on Skype credit (grassroots/political campaigning). I don’t think it would be too hard for us to get a complaint heard by Skype corporate about your lack of response. Again, all I am asking is that you update and inform customers on when we will have an update to place calls over 3G. It should take you only 30 minutes to post some update.
I’ve been a Skype *paying* customer for many years and their lack of transparency on this issue is really aggravating.
Skype needs to explain to their users what the problems are. If there are some conflicts of interest (read: Verizone deal) they need to assume the consequences.
I have always enjoyed the service, but now that other companies are offering competitive offerings, plus VoIP on my iPhone I see little reason to stay loyal, specially if I can not trust that Skype will be upfront with their customers.
~it was good while it lasted
Below is the direct contact information for certain higher-ups in Skype that you can contact.
Explain to them how iPhone users have been promised Skype over 3G for months. David Ponsford and Peter Parkes have now backed away and refuse to update customers on anything after lying to us at least on 3 occasions.
Perhaps if these people are flooded with complaints about how Skype has lied to its customers, they might wake up…
Daniel J Berg – Chief Technology Officer at Skype:
Skypename: danieljberg
David Ponsford (the one who claimed it would be out “real soon” and the head of the iPhone programming division)
Skypename: davidponsford
Email: david.ponsford@skype.net
Peter Parkes:
Skypename: peterparkes
Email: peter.parkes@skype.net
Peter/Skype Representatives,
This is really unprofessional on your part to not reply to even a single post here. Not only does it give a bad name to you, it also frustrates your customers. I am an avid user of skype and this kind of behaviour is totally uncalled for from a company which has pioneered VOIP communication.
-Nikunj
Nikunj and others – I appreciate your patience. Unfortunately we don’t have any additional information to share right now. Our iPhone team is working hard to get the updated app ready to release – when it is, we will get it to you as soon as we can.
@peterparkes
well that makes it all better. very clear…not. it’s not that you don’t have any information to share right now, it’s that you won’t. hard for me to imagine that everyone there at skype has just been sitting around not doing anything.
@peterparkes,
I am going to contact Claire Davenport and ask her to way-in on why you and David Ponsford are not responding to customer posts.
I find it really unprofessional to not reply to even a single post. It’s not just this blog, but all of Skype’s mobile communications have been very poor. I feel this is a reflection of how you and David value your customers.
As a long time business customer, I am extremely frustrated by your failure to communicate updates to your products.
@wieghatt and @costanzo98031 — I couldn’t agree more with your assessments.
When confronted with hard questions, Skype (i.e. peterparkes) does one of three things.
1. Ignores their customers and refuses to respond
2. Lies to their customers (i.e. Skype over 3G will be launched the very moment Apple removes their restrictions.
3. Blames others (again, see number 2 above)
As you can see, Apple removed their restrictions and other apps, such as iCall updated immediately.
Skype was clearly hiding behind Apple restrictions to shield themselves from their own incompetence.
How in the heck can an organization as big as Skype, that makes as much money as Skype, NOT have an update ready well ahead of time that allows for VOIP over 3G when restrictions are lifted, and Push Notifications for incoming calls, which are features that have been requested time and time again. I am beginning to believe they have one Developer hiding in a basement somewhere saying to himself “I hate my effing life”.
The problem is, Skype can get away with this. They continue to make money and with their price point, nobody is going anywhere. We continue to wait (albeit complain) but we will all praise them highly when these features are released and eventually all the hate will blow over and it will be business as normal for Skype, and all of us.
right now I hate Skype, but I know I will love them once they release 3G and Push. Although I will ALWAYS despise their shoddy business practices, poor communication, and terrible customer service.
To all of you: Investigate “Line2″ which will have push notifications available within the next few weeks. They are constantly improving their product and the price point is not unreasonable. $14.95 includes unlimited US/Canada calling and advanced business features. You can make and receive calls with wifi, 3g, and cellular. If you factor in cost of Skype and pay for an incoming line, it comes out to approx. the same cost, and you will have two fully working phone numbers assigned to your iPhone.
Sadly, Skype will lose business with all these other apps updating to meet customer needs, but they probably won’t lose enough business to really care.
Get your sh*t together Skype. And @peterparkes, you are an embarrassment to your organization. Shame on you for letting this thread grow so large before responding. If you worked for me (I direct an entire call centre), you would have been fired a very long time ago. Perhaps you should reconsider your qualifications and apply for that job opening on the assembly line at Taco Bell where you won’t need to interact with customers. This is probably what you are best suited to do.
AMEN above! Skype is just stringing you all along for a little longer! Peter is really just a pawn – a little tool in the organization. He is hired to just string you guys along and keep from losing business until the truth comes out. They do not have calls over 3g ready to go (obviously) and they have an exclusivity deal with Verizon.
come on i read this post somewhere in Feb. its almost April now ( that’s 8 weeks ) and I assume ZERO progress is made. If i’m not right , inform me about the progress. – Another disappointed skype user
Ok, is there somebody how know a simular system as skype? when so i deleted my skype account and change to something other…
Skype, thank you for your customer friendly service, i,m verry satisfied about the promises you made and hold, soon is an understatement, soon is (i have learned) more than 2 months…
To the other waiting people, just wait a little longer, soon there is the promised app…
Hey folks,
I would place my bets skype over 3g coming out this Saturday with the release of the ipad and the iphone os 3.2.
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It looks like the Skype client’s ability to make calls over 3G may have to wait until Apple releases iPhone OS 3.2.
The LA Times is reporting on a conversation with an Apple spokesperson who confirmed the recent VOIP over 3G developments in the new iPhone OS 3.2 beta SDK licensing agreement.
“We revised our Program License Agreement in conjunction with our updated Software Development Kit for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad Apps,” wrote an Apple spokesperson. “Included in this update is the ability for developers to create VoIP apps that utilize cellular networks.” -LA Times
The reason why Skype has not yet updated their client to allow this functionality is because their current app and current iPhone users are still under the licensing terms of the 3.1.2 version of the iPhone OS. This version, which is currently running on most devices, forbids the use of VOIP applications over 3G, instead restricting them to WiFi-only. Skype spokesperson Chaim Haas has said that Skype is waiting on Apple for clarification of this issue. “As soon as we have that clarification, Skype will submit its application for approval.”
What this likely means however is that we will have to wait until iPhone OS 3.2 is released so as to not be bound by the restrictions of version 3.1.2.
thomasnail:
You are wrong. A handful of other apps immediately took advantage of 3.1.2′s new developer license agreement to use calls over 3g. Skype, as I mentioned before, has an exclusivity agreement with Verizon that prohibits them from releasing a version allowing 3g calls on the iPhone. Plain and simple. Skype lied and has no intention of allowing this feature (or push for that matter) on the iPhone.
There are virtually no differences in 3.1.2 and the upcoming 3.2, except for some iPad support. The significant update will come in late June, early July with 4.0 which will be significantly different and include multitasking support. However, this is not the time frame that Skype was implying when it said “real soon” way at the beginning of February. Skype is stringing everyone along for a ride because they don’t want to acknowledge up front that they lied from the get go and receive bad press from the tech blogs to the mainstream media (gizmodo/engadget and David Pogue – NY Times).
i am incensed about the lack of 3G calling with skype on iphone after apple/ATT opened up this option months ago now. what’s taking so long? i dont even care for skype to skype meaning i am willing to use skypeout to pay for calls but skype doesn’t want to take advantage of this fact!
Yep: Skype lied multiple times, and continues to lie. On 3 occasions now they promised it imminently. They lied on all 3 occasions, and, as you can see, they have no comment anymore. PETER PARKES and DAVID PONSFORD instead either
a) won’t comment at all – their usual modus operandi
b) periodically, Peter will post some generic smug garbage that states nothing.
Skype now has an exclusivity agreement with Verizon and they don’t have the balls to fess up to the reality that they have no intention of releasing 3g capability anytime soon. Instead, they continue to lie about it.
What a way to run a company – lie to the customers, screw them over, continue to lie to them, then don’t respond.
They should be ashamed of themselves. People should write to Gizmodo or Engadget to start getting the word out so Skype can get some bad press finally!
@dregev4
I think you’re overreacting a little bit. Give them some time to follow through on what they say will be supported. If anything, iPhone OS 4.0 makes this feature even easier to implement. Good job Apple and Skype.
I just wrote Skype and informed them that unless an app was released in the next month, 2 at the most, I would be taking ALL of my business elsewhere. I won’t disclose too much, as I am writing from my personal account, but I have a number of other accounts which involve large figures each month for skype services. Each and every one of those accounts will be immediately disconnected and changed to a provider who does not play these silly games with a horrible carrier like Verizon. I don’t take to being lied to, and Skype has been saying all along that the app was ready; just needed AT&T to let it be used on 3G; now that it can, Skype has backpedaled.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. My $5,000+ per month will go to another service.
I absolutely love how all my posts are being deleted.
SKYPE = FAIL.
DAVID PONSFORD = UBER FAILED.
I watch with great interest how long it will take to delete my post.
They don’t want this bad publicity people, the more we keep up the pressure with this bad publicity the more they will be forced to either hide or confess.
Keep it up people! We are not simply numbers ($$) like they think we are.
Chock it up to one more bad implementation by Skype. There seems to be no quality control there! They lie about 3G – then give some release that makes it [b]worse[/b] than the previous release because of a horrible echoing issue with headphone usage. Do they not actually test their software before releasing it?
Wow- can you imagine how crappy their (perhaps) 3G calling will be if this portends their quality issues? They have waited many, many months to release something that they’ve been promising forever, and they still avoid answering questions about it.
It would not be surprising if their next release botches something else up and was once again, a poor implementation of a “feature.”
David Ponsford needs to stop eating the donuts and actually pay attention to what is being released under his name. And Peter Parkes needs to grow some cajones and stop being the effeminate lap-dog in denial and ignorance that his balding head represents.
And Tero Hergus-whatever needs to stop his constant lies and apologize for officially lying to the Skype customer base on 2 prior occasions.
What a bunch of losers these people seem to be! I am amazed that they all still work at Sellout Skype! It looks like dishonesty and incompetence are key attributes that Skype looks for in new hires!
I stopped waiting For Skype and subscribed to Line2. I get a second line and full PBX type service plus US Canada calling for $14.95 a month. Way better service than Skype. Works great on 3G and WiFi.
I use Line2 all the time now. Used Skype only once this month.
Now I just have to figure out how to get my Skype credit returned because I will never use it.
Stop whining at the Skype guys and get another service if you want 3G.
So yeah, the iPad 3G is out today, it has 3.2 on it, and Skype still does not call over 3G. What, should we wait until OS 4.0 this summer? Oh, look, make it 5.0 in 2011. I’m sure people won’t be too annoyed to wait another little while. -_-
I used to check for skype update till today, not anymore … F*** skype
I am putting off getting SkypeOut for the very reason that it’s been over six months since the 3G VoIP ban was lifted from AT&T. The application hasn’t been updated to enable 3G since! I plan to use my iPad as a VoIP device when on the go, and sadly it’s not here yet. Must we restrain ourselves to Fring (Free, supports audio and invoming video calls) and the like just to get what should’ve come in a month or less time? If improvements are to be made, it would be good to roll out the updates and performance increases over time.
$0.02.
the application its ready for while.
they are just waiting, the release of the new iphone ( Two-Way Video Chat , jun 7 release date ) to test the new app.
june 15 the application will be out for download .
“totti.tatto”:
The new Skype app for the iPhone will not support 2 way video chat (at least initially, and following history it will be at least a year before an update as Skype is very slow). Secondly, it will definitely NOT be ready by Jun 15 – thanks for completely fabricating a date and pulling it out of your a$$ though! Skype hasn’t even confirmed calling over 3G on the new app and has only slated it for release “late summer.”
Skype (David Ponsford) and Peter Parkes have lied many times about this.
Guys, we have good and bad news:
The Good news: Skype for iPhone over 3G has been released and is available mow from the app store.
The Bad news: Skype will introduce a “small charge” for Skype to Skype calls over 3G.
Source: The Skype app’s product description at the app store.
Is this the thin end of the wedge? Is it only a matter of time before Skype introduces a “small charge” for all Skype – Skype calls?
dregev4: You were wrong (about 3g not coming to skype because it had some rumored “exclusivity” with Verizon.
But why the other mobile versions of Skype can use mobile network for VOIP calls?
My friend that has HTC can call via skype without using a WIFI network!
And I don’t understand why Skype won’t work on jailbroken iPhones?
Hi
There is a facility where I can use my iPad to access BtOpen zone and it is charged to my Skype account . I can’t find anywhere on the SKYPE site which tells me how to do this . Anyone have the answer(s) ?
@vyarker sounds like you’re referring to Skype Access, although this doesn’t work on the iPad at the moment.
Skype just made an update to Iphone that disable the use of skype with jailbrake iphone. This is so stupid…can’t use skype to call international anymore…meaning they are losing money…anyhow…google voice is cheaper…
Can I video skype with my iphone?
Push notifications otherwise it’s pointless. How well would you phone have taken off if you had to knock on someone’s door to tell them you were about to phone before you made each call?