Skype arrives on Nokia Symbian phones
Live at the Ovi
One day after Skype yanked support for Windows and Java mobiles, citing a lack of consistent quality across handsets, the proprietary VoIP outfit is showing its love for Symbian.
Skype's free mobile app for Nokia's Symbian OS has left the beta stage and is now available directly from the mobile Ovi Store or alternatively the Skype website.
Skype for Symbian will run on any Nokia smartphone using Symbian^1, the latest version of the mobile OS. (A list of the compatible devices is available here).
The app works over both a 3G mobile data connection or WiFi, and it allows users to make free Skype-to-Skype calls across the globe, along with gratis instant messaging, text messaging, and picture and video sharing.
Earlier this month, Skype announced a partnership with the mobile carrier Verizon to make a similar smartphone app for select BlackBerry and Android phones on Verizon's network.
It would seem as VoIP applications spread across more mobile devices, service providers must warm up to the idea that data plans will replace voice as the main source of revenue.
Skype already runs on the iPhone over WiFi only, although a 3G-enabled version is expected soon.
The company said "soon" it will update the Symbian app so that it will work on Symbian mobiles from other manufacturers, including Sony Ericsson. ®
COMMENTS
crashes on my E51
It looks nice, looks functional and it even connected including pulling the contact list back....
Wait for it though....enter the Settings menu...and bang...thank you for visiting, please try again soon! Well at least the phone and OS kept on going
Won't install on my Nokia... solution is SKYPE LITE!
On seeing this "The Reg" article I Scuttled off to install this on my n78... greeted with ""Unable to install: Component is built in" error and no known workaround.
Then I discovered there's a long existing app called Skype Lite for my phone, installed in a jiff.
Had already tried Fring before - awful audio and lag.
Skype Lite using Skype Out service sounds almost like a normal mobile call - clear and little lag. Fring promptly uninstalled and happy.
Arranged marriage?
I wonder whether it's genuine love for Symbian or a money-greased arrangement? Nokia needs a crowd-puller for its unloved Ovi and Skype's new owners want ROI. The magical disappearance of the WinMob and Java clients are hardly coincidental.
3 & Skype
Well atleast you can have the 3 & the proper client installed at the same time.
I didn't get any calls because everybody I know had better things to do than call me but for outgoing calls over WiFi it was fine, and I will stick with the 3 version for 'on the move' usage because I know it's free and any call quality issues are nothing to do with my data connection.
There seems to be issues on the discussion groups about incoming calls and also non English installations over at the Skype discussion boards.
This version is starting to sound more like a large scale beta rather than a finished version, which I wouldn't mind as long as they told me.
