The Big Blog

gd-jac commented Wednesday, Feb 3

Thanks for this update, though I thought the app according to your own posting was ready for quite sometime now ? If you are working on an improved version then why not release the current version and then the upgrade when ready ?

garnet_stone commented Wednesday, Feb 3

Interesting. This news triggers several new observations:

1. iPad is not powerful enough for video and perhaps never will be.
2. Apple may or may not come out with a new version of iChat.
3. No word on whether Skype might be able to run as a background process in the near future.
4. No word on whether push notification is ready.
5. No word on whether the many bugs in the iPhone version, related to its lack of power, will disappear on iPad.

dylanneild commented Wednesday, Feb 3

@ garnet_stone:

1. iPad CPU is more than powerful enough for video. It's a Cortex A9 based unit and the A8 in the iPhone 3G is more than adequate as it is.

5. iPhone bugs have little to do with the devices power. The biggest bugs are the call dropping over perfectly good Wifi (software issue) and the annoying "you got a text message so therefore your call is dropped" problems (software issues). Again, the Cortex A8 is beyond adequate for making Skype calls.

skype42u commented Wednesday, Feb 3

mmm wideband codecs over 3g ... have we not heard this before ... just checking my log of previous claims ... Skype Voice over Wifi on Blackberry ... that famous one ... Skype Voice over Wifi for android ... MMm will this be another to add to the collection?

antonioj07 commented Wednesday, Feb 3

All i care is about push notifications, really. Your iPhone app is crippled without it. That should be your focus!

etabeta_sl commented Wednesday, Feb 3

push notifications. please.

taoprophet420 commented Wednesday, Feb 3

You guys have clearly stated in the past you had a 3g enabled version ready to go and blamed Apple and AT&T, now that the restrictions are gone you say you are not ready. If you had a version ready why not release it now and update it soon after? Do you guys have a lack of software developers or do you just put most of your focus on the windows platform. You guys neglect the Mac platform. You had a beta version for over a year before you released it as rc version and took over a year to update the normal Mac version. the last update now stands at 5 months.

sunstarjeff commented Wednesday, Feb 3

Please focus on push notifications for the iPhone! Why is Skype so far behind the curve on app updates, when inferior competitors (such as Fring) are able to release app updates quickly to respond to the marketplace? Skype for iPhone is a joke unless users can RECEIVE incoming chat messages and phone calls! Please help your customer base. Otherwise, a switch from Skype to another service that better supports its members is just an eventuality.

gordeonbleu commented Wednesday, Feb 3

This is good news. Skype has been silent about this since Thursday, so it's nice to hear things are progressing.

As an aside, I'm curious how push notifications works for apps like Skype. If an incoming call triggers a push notification, that's a single SMS-style buzz with the accompanying message, but that's it, right? Based on how I understand push notifications, they can't ring and ring until you pick up.

abfarmer9 commented Wednesday, Feb 3

Jailbreak + Skype + 3GUnrestrictor App = Skype calls over 3G right now. No need to wait. I've been calling my girlfriend in Scotland like this for a couple months and works great!

garnet_stone commented Wednesday, Feb 3

Hmm. When I turn on my iSkype it takes more than an hour to discover my contacts and update my chats. Many of the chats NEVER arrive and many others arrive in the wrong order, especially if I get impatient and want to send an IM before it finishes updating. Everybody I know experiences the same problem and most of them have discontinued use of iSkype because of it. If that's not a bug, then what is it? It doesn't really matter whether it works OK after an hour. It has to boot up and work right away for it to be considered good enough for prime time. I'm hoping that the increased speed and overall power of the iPad will overcome the problem.

As for video on the iPad processor (A4), it runs at 1Ghz and that is NOT going to be fast enough for any kind of video that I know of.

sdfisher75 commented Wednesday, Feb 3

"iPhone SDK 3.2 beta is pre-release software and is considered Apple Confidential Information."

nikhil.lohar commented Wednesday, Feb 3

Back to the first comment.
Here's the quote
"We've had a 3G-capable version ready for some time now, but Apple's current restrictions mean that they won't allow us to make it available on the App Store for the moment."
Here's the link
http://blogs.skype.com/sites/en/2009/12/2009_in_mobile.html

So it has been ready, apple has removed restrictions and we don't have it?
I think somebody is lying here.. santa aint gonna be happy!

Anyway, hope to see it soon its been a while since the restriction got lifted off so really shows that the devs are being slack cos well.. skype's been in this business for a while and they should know how to improve quality, there are many other phones that have skype over 3g, so they have experience over 3G there as well.

A response from the Skype team is much needed; but doubt they'll give us one.

belcherjh commented Wednesday, Feb 3

@garnet_stone Clock speed is not the sole indicated of the power of a processor. Two CPUs with the same clock speed are not equal. The iPad will be more than capable of handling video.

tedvera commented Wednesday, Feb 3

I too am disappointed that this post seems contrary to previous company statements (http://blogs.skype.com/sites/en/2009/12/2009_in_mobile.html). I switched to using Fring for my iphone skype calls.

chelcfc commented Thursday, Feb 4

How about Video calling with iphone? I know fring supports one way video calling...

garnet_stone commented Thursday, Feb 4

@belcherjh Perhaps you are correct that the iPad will "handle video" in the sense that it can play movies, but I was referring to video communication, as with Skype. I don't know how you could know anything specific about the iPad's A4 processor in that regard since little is known about it. As for the general issue, I don't know of any successful implementation of video communication on a machine with a processor as slow as 1Ghz. In fact, anything much less than a 2Ghz dual core processor on a 'regular' computer means that it will run hot.

antonioj07 commented Thursday, Feb 4

Yeah, you don't know. Fring is supporting skyle video calls on phones with hardware inferior to the 3gs or even the 3g.

matthieupesesse commented Thursday, Feb 4

I do completely agree with "antonioj07", Skype on iPhone with PUSH notification should be the main function to focus on.. we don't care about using skype over 3G if you can't be notified for incoming calls!

Wake Up Guys!

jacob.gutierrezflores commented Thursday, Feb 4

Congratulations to iPhone users.
By the way, what happens with Skype for BlackBerry? It was coming in May 2009, and we are still waiting.

theweep1ca commented Thursday, Feb 4

I am a skype user, but also a retired 911 communication officer and I must caution that skype is not a VOIP Napproved yet which means you can not make a emergency 911 call on skype. This caution should be highlited>

szabolcs_nemeth commented Friday, Feb 5

push notifications and emoticons, please.

idea2go commented Friday, Feb 5

Dear Skype ... please don't make any more postings without including a notification at the top and the bottom about why you don't have push yet, what the current status is, and when to expect it? It's embarrassing!

samuel.m.livingston commented Friday, Feb 5

More lip service from Skype. Here's an idea, why don't you hire the Fring developers to help, since they apparently know how to integrate Skype with 3G better than the company who is actually behind the service.

Tired of the excuses.

svanns2k commented Saturday, Feb 6

Still no Push? Don't really care about 3G so much without Push. This didn't warrant at least a mention? Worst development and marketing example I can think of in recent years. I'm not really inclined to stick it out and wait for these guys to get a clue. There are far worse applications doing a much better job than Skype.

samandsun commented Sunday, Feb 7

I have SKYPE on my PC only and all my contacts are invisable and I can not contact anyone. Please help with this problem.

jocairo commented Sunday, Feb 7

yeah, can't wait. MEANWHILE...I keep getting "connection lost" messages when ever I attempt to use skypeout. ALSO...someone requested a currency change (not me) and an autocharge that had the last 4 digits of someone's mastercard...again, not me.

Trying to contact a support function is nearly impossible, which is why I resorted to highjacking this thread, a little bit.

Heartbeat shows ok, twitter says problems enountered, but have been resolved. NOT!

davidgbrookes commented Monday, Feb 8

Skype announced:
As soon as Apple removes its current restrictions on calling over 3G, we’ll make a 3G-capable app available. We’ve got one up our sleeves ready for that moment, but for now, we’re being forced to wait.

Now we find you have not got any app for 3g.You really do need to wake or you will left so far behind with outher VoIP providers.

3rd party providers offer push for Skype and they work. So at least there are work arounds till you finalise your push.

nickwillan commented Monday, Feb 8

Skype on Fringe sucks large! That's probably why they can release a new version so fast that supports 3G. I'm very excited to get the new Skype, but want it to be ready. Push notifications are very high on my list too! Buy your developers pizza and get them to work late

n6nr.iphone commented Monday, Feb 8

I would like to submit a bug report. I just upgraded my iPhone to 3.1.3. Skype no longer works with my Bluetooth devices. Is the team already aware of this bug, and will a fix be coming out soon?

winock commented Wednesday, Feb 10

i´m verry disappointed about Skype, i was thinking they are a much more serious company, new they show there really face or do not have the right person on the right place, new more than 2 weeks later and still no iphone app for the 3G....

marcg04 commented Thursday, Feb 11

1. @Skype: as many have already pointed out, don't change your story about calls over 3G, it's really bad PR. You may very well have technical reasons behind delaying the app, but there's absolutely no reason to a) lie earlier about it and say it's AT&T and Apple holding you back, and b) not possibly have figured this out by now since it's been almost a year of iPhone dev for you!

2. @Skype again: two words - Push Notifications. It really isn't that complicated. Again, it's been a while Apple has allowed this - figure it out already!

3. @iPad comments: clearly not a processor issue. For now, there's no iSight camera to capture the local user's video, so 2-way video calls will not yet be possible. Besides, most current incarnations of 3G (HSDPA) might not be able to handle the upload speeds required to handle video. We'll need HSUPA, or even better, HSPA+ to properly have 2-way video over 3G.

4. @Fring comments: Skype calls works very well over 3G, thank you very much. I even had an hour-long call from Silicon Valley to Paris WITH VIDEO over 3G on my iPhone 3GS; obviously it was only one-way video (from remote to local) since the iPhone still doesn't have a front-facing camera, but it worked great and without a single hiccup.

The only issue we'll have when using VoIP over 3G will be when traveling at highway speeds. Data hand-offs between cell towers is just not there yet.

Good luck everyone.
And @SKYPE: get your act together. NOW.

patrickdundon commented Thursday, Feb 11

*Love* Skype on the Mac, but now with Iphone app exactly how do I place a free call to my contacts? Sorry so dense, but it's not obvious to me.

zain74 commented Thursday, Feb 11

Straight fromt he horses Mouth Slype is ready to launch updated app soon as restrictions removed and also push notifications underway???????????

http://blogs.skype.com/sites/en/2010/01/skype_for_iphone_13_now_availa.html

Atleast release the update

g.ratchford commented Saturday, Feb 13

My guess is that Skype was actually developing its app for Verizon Wireless but blaming ATT and Apple.

http://www.von.com/news/verizon--skype-to-hook-up-at-mwc.html

No problems here--as a communications planner for my organization--I have to look at other alternatives which is what I've been doing since last December. I'm sure others have been doing the same thing. So whether Skype goes and develops its apps for Verizon's phones or not many users are probably ready to give up at this point and are not ignorant to know that something is going on within Skype. I'm sure Verizon will find ways to stick it to its customers (by paying off Skype or) by charging them a lot more. That's what Verizon does best--I know, because my wife has service with them. I'm sure Verizon has a new commercial coming out letting everyone know that they even have VOIP over 3G--and ATT doesn't.

nikhil.lohar commented Tuesday, Feb 16

wow another post states skype over 3G has been ready since october 2009 ???? WOW.. this is horrid and slack. just pure pathetic

I quote..
"We have a 3G enabled release ready to go any time. We are obliged to sit on it due to Apple, whose developer licence agreement has not been changed to allow VoIP services on mobile connections, talk being cheap. That is what the "contractual restrictions" refers to.

Once we are allowed by Apple to release a 3G calling app, we will do so right there. You will need to update to the new version via App Store to enable the feature. "

Link : http://forum.skype.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=390841&view=findpost&p=2056621

WE NEED ANSWERS SKYPE ! no customer service = NO CUSTOMERS.

nikhil.lohar commented Tuesday, Feb 16

oh oh oh oh oh WAIT...
he REPEATS his message in november...

"I repeat: we can release an update that will call on 3G the very minute Apple allows us to. The ball is firmly on their court and they're not very forthcoming. "

Link: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=390841&view=findpost&p=2140671

drgreenberg commented Tuesday, Feb 16

It's now seeming suspiciously like the delay to get a 3G enabled version of Skype on iPhone was the result of the Verizon-Skype dealmakers wanting to make sure that the new deal got "first of its kind" promotion in the press without people being able to point to AT&T/iPhone as already having this capability.

carlhancock757 commented Tuesday, Feb 16

Still waiting... iPhone users want Skype. Those are the users you should be going after.

Skype for VZW? Who cares about VZW. People like my dad use Blackberries... he doesn't care about Skype. Business users use those devices, they don't care about Skype when the business is footing the bill.

I love your service but the fact that you haven't updated your iPhone app to enable 3G is extremely frustrating. I can't blame Apple and AT&T anymore for the lack of 3G VOIP... the ball is in your court and you appear to be dropping it.

yangzhao1988 commented Wednesday, Feb 17

Please....I cannot wait....

adhiraj.dasgupta commented Saturday, Feb 20

How much longer do we need to wait?

zhigang.wang commented Sunday, Feb 21

I have been using skype over 3G network in my jailbreaked iPhone for a while until I upgraded firmware to 3.1.3 by mistake. Later I found Fring can use Skype out account to make call over 3G network. Quality is as good as when I was using jailbreak.
My point is, forget about when official version will come out. Either jailbreak your iphone, or use Fring.
I guess this is what Peter wanted to say but not quite at the position to say:)

clunkbucket commented Monday, Feb 22

Does the recent news of Skype and Verizon impact the release date of this software? Sooner would definitely be better than later. Please let us know a timeline!

winock commented Monday, Feb 22

wow... we are today the 22 februar and still no update, CONGRATULATIONS SKYPE i´m verry suprised to see wat kind of company you are, saying an update comming soon... and we are waiting, and waiting... for what? is it to much asking for letting us know when soon is? is soon in one week?, one month? how many months? profile yourself and DO SOMETHING.

On this moment you are losing your credibility on all your users...

costanzo98031 commented Tuesday, Feb 23

I really don’t understand this… A Skype staff person wrote that an update is ready to go once Apple lifted the restrictions. That has come and gone; yet, no update released. I find this unacceptable and very disappointing. It’s as if Skype is not listing to their customers.

kslchiang commented Wednesday, Feb 24

I've installed skype since I got my iphone, but NEVER USE it. Only because "NO PUSH NOTIFICATION". And I am still waiting.......

tchnofm commented Wednesday, Feb 24

Any update on when this will be launched? I've checked almost every day for 2 weeks in the App Store.

Please hurry!

dregev4 commented Thursday, Feb 25

Well, it appears that this is the history:
Skype says it has an update ready to go "the moment the restrictions are lifted."
The restrictions are lifted. Skype doesn't issue an update.

Then Skype announces its presence on Verizon. Still doesn't update the application for the iPhone, and keeps everyone in the dark. No updates on the blog from Peter or anyone else. No responses to probably the MANY inquiries regarding this. Just ignoring everyone who is calling them out on seemingly misleading customers. What awful business practices!

I would like to take this opportunity to let Peter, David, or anyone from Skype respond directly to the questions and concerns of Skype customers who were promised something and are now not getting any answers. The ball is now in "your" court Skype. I challenge you to answer me either on this forum, or Peter - via the Skype text that I just sent you. I await your reply.

winock commented Friday, Feb 26

ARE WE ALL NUTS???

Okay, i guess its my third comment on this page and i have noticed the anger of a lott of people, people who are users of Skype, costumers, people who have helped Skype grow, grow so much that the can use us the way they like, maybee they think: "look at that blog or look at that forum, when we wait a little more they must know we do it the only way that we want, we are skype and we are god"

Sorry to all of the people who write a comment to this blog, we all try to send a message to skype, we all try to say,"Hey Skype, you have made a promise, give it to us" well, i´m thinking Skype is laughing, the same time Skype use us, saying to other companies "Look how people ask us, almost begging to deliver a product of us, look how importent we are...."

Well, i guess the forget that without the milions of users they are nothing, less than a worm....

Is here one person that can say " hi, i have writen here a comment and i have become a respons from Skype, one answer on a verry simple question, When we become the PROMISED IPHONE APP for the 3G network"

NOT ONE USER COULD WRITE THIS DOWN, WHY? BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IMPORTANT FOR SKYPE, WE STUPID PEOPLE!!!

We asking new for more than 2-3 monts on skype for 1 Answer, 1 VERRY SIMPLE ANSWER, and what we get? NOTHING, NADA...

Well my friends, what do we do about this? gonna wait for an answer we never get? waiting until our big VOIP-GOD remember there are some people on which they have made a promise?

i don´t know, maybee we have to search to a way to show Skype we are not the WORMS the think we are...

MAYBEE THERE HAPPEN SOMETHING SOON... SOMETRHING SKYPE DON`T EXPECTED, MAYBEE WE (SKYPE USERS) JOIN TOGETHER AND SEARCH FOR A WAY TO PUT PRESSURE ON SKYPE, A WAY WHERE WE CAN SHOW SKYPE THAT THEY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY GROWN UP BECAUSE OF US !!!!

jnhannah commented Saturday, Feb 27

Shame on Skype

I was very disappointed to read about Skypes 2-3 year exclusive deal with Verizon. I am an AT&T customer using an iPhone, which I love. I have been a huge Skype fan, and have been using Skype on Linux, Mac and Windows for years. I was really hoping that there would be a 3g version of Skype for the iPhone, because my family lives in Europe, and I don't have an international dialling with my AT&T account.

So my question for Skype is this: Is there ever going to be a 3g version that can be used on the AT&T network? Was this delay nothing more than a smokescreen for your del with Verizon. I am now contemplating dropping skype completely and switching to another VOIP solution.

Come on Skype, get your act together, or else I think you will lose a lot of customers.

dannytoups commented Sunday, Feb 28

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.

davidyyz commented Monday, Mar 1

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.

valleryan1 commented Tuesday, Mar 2

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.

dregev4 commented Wednesday, Mar 3

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.

danwalmsley commented Thursday, Mar 4

"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.

danwalmsley commented Thursday, Mar 4

"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.

_________________________________________________________________________

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!

dregev4 commented Friday, Mar 5

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.

meetprabhus commented Thursday, Mar 11

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.

costanzo98031 commented Friday, Mar 12

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.

photoman52beta commented Tuesday, Mar 16

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.

costanzo98031 commented Friday, Mar 19

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.

invassive commented Friday, Mar 19

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

dregev4 commented Friday, Mar 19

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

nikunjchadha commented Tuesday, Mar 23

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

wieghatt commented Wednesday, Mar 24

@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.

costanzo98031 commented Wednesday, Mar 24

@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.

deadceleb commented Thursday, Mar 25

@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.

dregev4 commented Friday, Mar 26

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.

maxster144 commented Tuesday, Mar 30

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

winock commented Wednesday, Mar 31

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...

thomasnail commented Thursday, Apr 1

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.
__________________________________________

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.

dregev4 commented Friday, Apr 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).

charmedquark commented Tuesday, Apr 6

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!

dregev4 commented Tuesday, Apr 6

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!

njhunsaker commented Thursday, Apr 8

@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.

tommc4 commented Friday, Apr 9

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.

presarioao commented Monday, Apr 12

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.

dregev4 commented Tuesday, Apr 13

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!

davidyyz commented Saturday, May 1

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.

risoldi commented Saturday, May 1

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. -_-

kishor.sapkota commented Saturday, May 1

I used to check for skype update till today, not anymore ... F*** skype

kitsune_mage commented Wednesday, May 19

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.

totti.tatto commented Tuesday, May 25

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 .

dregev4 commented Wednesday, May 26

"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.

rockston commented Sunday, May 30

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?

thomasnail commented Sunday, May 30

dregev4: You were wrong (about 3g not coming to skype because it had some rumored "exclusivity" with Verizon.

straightlegfit commented Tuesday, Jun 1

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?

vyarker commented Friday, Jul 2

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) ?

mizzionary commented Tuesday, Jul 27

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...