iPhone slip serves up free 3G Skype calls
Woo hoo!
Daredevil iPhone users who've installed the latest development build of their firmware, version 3, have discovered an interesting side effect - free Skype calls over the 3G network.
Apple has never made any secret of the fact it won't allow iPhone applications to make VoIP calls over 3G connections - that would upset the network operators who, these days, are paying for the handsets. But with the newly-launched version 3 of the iPhone firmware, 9to5Mac is reporting that the blockage isn't in place for Skype.
Not that many people are using version 3; it's only available to developers, and reports indicate that it's also pretty unstable even if it does have some interesting features. Developers need early access to the firmware to make use of its capabilities, but they don't need the stability that Apple is still refining before the launch later this year.
Users of earlier versions of the OS find that when a VoIP call is triggered, using Skype or one of the alternative clients, the handset attempts to create a Wi-Fi connection and bombs out if it can't, but it seems that version 3 is less discerning.
Some have suggested this reflects a relaxation of the ban on VoIP over 3G, but with network operators paying an increasing proportion of the handset price, that seems unlikely. More probably this is something Apple will be glad to fix well before general release, so to be enjoyed until it does. ®
COMMENTS
Proper phones are knobbled tooo
So called "proper phones" often get VOIP and IM features removed at the request of mobile operators.
The availability of such things is being dictated by the operators not Apple.
3G capacity is the issue here. In the US for example they struggle enough in big cities will just calls, never mind calls and VOIP calls.
Solution that's even easier than jailbraking...
Buy a proper phone, from a proper phone manufacturer and use "skype call" or "internet call".
Actually, it was quite fast...
Short version: Skype using VoIPover3G and Backgrounder is now working again
Long version: There was a problem with Skype not getting along with mobilesubstrate on jailbroken devices. Saurik (creator of Cydia) tweeted last night that a new mobilesubstrate (0.9.2805-1) has been released which takes care of the problem.
Cheers
Matt
Important solutions to the COMPLAINERS:
Found on http://tinyurl.com/iskypereview
1. Complaining that you can’t use Skype on 3G using firmware 2.x?
* Just Jailbreak your iphone and install voipover3g app from cydia. Jailbreakers will be able to save their minutes whenever they want because this app makes the iPhone think that it is on wifi all the time.
2. Complaining that you can’t run skype in the background while using another application?
* Just install backgrounder app from cydia on your jailbroken phone.
read the rest on http://tinyurl.com/iskypereview
Alert! Black Apples circling overhead, with guns!
Conspiracy theory here: Apple is doing this on purpose to test their defenses. They are also allowing tethering on version 3.0 regardless of what operators mandate, by simply editing a settings file. If they allow Skype over 3G, it's because they want to test the response from a reduced number of users to this "feature", i.e. the authorized developers. They can then come to the operators and either say "see, it wasn't that bad", or "hell, we need to remove 3G altogether from the phone, dude!".
The current 3.0 firmware is unstable to the point of making the phone unusable as your day-to-day device. It locks up, sounds don't play or are broken up, it suddenly starts heating up and drains the battery in minutes (stuck background process, anyone?), you cannot force-quit apps like mail or iPod by keeping home pressed...the list is very very long.
