It really hasn't been any secret that Skype was coming to Verizon. We just didn't know exactly when it was coming. The announcement today from Skype and Verizon has shed some light on the when portion. Starting tomorrow, Verizon users will be able to get their Skype on with quite a few devices. Intially, for BlackBerry users the app will work on BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour 9630 smartphones. Some features listed below:
- make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to anyone else on Skype around the globe
- send and receive unlimited instant messages with other people on Skype
- call international phone numbers at low rates
Reader comments
Skype Mobile For Verizon Wireless Available Thursday
but how do i use the video call? can't find the feature
Only works on the national network. I guess that means no Skype on my Tour while deployed overseas :( Should have gone with the IPhone, at least I would have had WiFi.
just tried to download skype for verizon http://www.skype.com/mobile/skypemobile/
and when they send u the link over sms even tho it says it supports storm 2 9550 it doesnt and wont let u download it.
its www.skype.com/vzw on your browser
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2708/screenshot20100325at115.png
WHAT DO YOU BET THAT THIS WILL BE ANOTHER FORCE FED APP FROM VERIZON, SUCKING DOWN MORE OF OUR DEVICE MEMORY WITH NO WAY TO DELETE IT......
ANOTHER VERIZON APP I WILL NEVER USE.
You mean the little icon that is just a launcher to the OTA installer?
Just highlight it and then open options via the blackberry button and hide it.
I am definitely going to download this tomorrow! I might stay up till midnight to get it(if it comes out at midnight)! If not, I when I wake up I'll download it for sure!!!
Im ready for skype tomorrow on vzw. Just be fun to test out.
Does anyone know if the Skype app is available or will be available for use on at&t phones in the foreseeable future?
We don't know what the exclusivity agreement says so we can't say when it will be allowed on other US carriers.
This will be another milestone for skype...
Movie Pass
Bookkeeping
Embroidery Thread
Clearly this application is not true VOIP 3G.
The reason this locked to Verizon is that when u place a skype - skype call, It dials a system on a verizon number (hence why it's free & locked to verizon) and then once connected this 'system' will then make the VOIP call to whomever your dialing and connect them to you. Basically it's just a voice call...
So effectively you need to have both data plan (for IM's) and voice plan (to make calls) this is why it's strictly locked to verizon...
Nothing new IM+ and iSkoot already do this.
The reason why VOIP will never truely be possible either by 3G or Wifi is because the blackberry applications can only either playback or record. But not to both at the same time, so u can push to talk... a bit like a walkie talkie. It's call half duplex. I think due to a limitation in the Blackberry hardware full duplex VOIP is not allowed. If you wanna try the half duplex App IM+ have one.
Hope this clears things up for people.
Here's to hoping you're wrong! lol.
We will all find out on Thursday.
...
I think the exclusivity to Verizon is a bit more simplistic than what you're citing. It comes down to money and marketing. The average "joe" doesn't care which part of VZW's network is used in the process, he/she just knows it's Skype and they'll find some value in it. VZW obviously sees it as a tool to lure some subscribers from competitors due to this feature set, and depending on how many Skype friends one has, it could allow them to save money and lower their rate plan if their minute-usage declines.
This application isn't going to be available for just Blackberry. VZW is rolling it out to the Droid and Eris as well. You can place true VoIP calls using a VZW-air-card or while tethering and Skype on a laptop. It's not a network or device limitation. If it were, other IM applications would have similar limitations in a Blackberry environment.
Does this mean that I can text anyone, anywhere in the world for free ? That is on Skype that is.
work on my Unlocked Storm 9550 running on TMO?
NOPE! VZW network only.
...aren't the Curve 8330 and World Edition phones "end of life" phones as stated in an earlier blog piece posted on Crackberry? Why would they want to waste a Skype availability on those phones? Give it to another model that WON'T be disappearing in a few months....
For the millions of customers that already have them. For the enterprise users, government accounts, support the whole product line, not just newer devices.
waste of time.
I really do hope that someone on Verizon extracts the COD files so that Skype for bb can be used everywhere.
If it can be done, it most certainly will be! I'm sure there are many out there with your same desire! :p I'm VZW though, so I'm happy. I will use this constantly to speak (now for FREE) to my mates in Australia! Hurray!!!
roll out across the UK & Ireland (europe). Why do Skype have to do a deal with the carrier. Why don't they just release the app for all to download and use. Once again, like 80% of the apps in app world, here's another app that can't be used outside of North America. It seems developers forget that there are also BB users outside of the US & Canada.
my thoughts exactly.. at least the basic text chat features...?
If people will be able to extract the COD files and use Skype on other non Verizon BlackBerry devices.
im confused...since i have a verizon plan, aren't my regular calls to other verizon customers free regardless? just seems like this isn't really anything exciting considering skype will be exclusively for verizon phones.
or can you make calls to computers also?
if you have a friend overseas where no verizon exists, you and he/she can communicate with each other via skype.
they would have skype on computer and you could be anywhere where vzw can provide a signal for your phone and you both could chit chat.
the only thing i'm wondering is if someone makes a video call to me, if it will go thru. I dont necessarily need the video - simply the video calls are the free ones from computer to computer via skype. so, it would be cool if my friends overseas could reach me for free by calling using the video feature, even with the webcam off its free.
I cannot wait until this releases! So many contacts on Skype that you can call for FREE! This was such a smart app idea. Awesome job Skype. :)
So VZW will not dock your plan minutes to use skype? This was the rumor earlier. I'm glad to see it wasn't true, at least for now.
No, It should not use minutes to talk on Skype. It is based on Over-the-air data. And with Verizon when you have a BlackBerry plan you should have unlimited data anyway. So essentially it is at no extra cost to you.
If you check Skype's website ( http://www.skype.com/mobile/reminder/ )
Skype and Verizon Wireless are set to launch a new service, Skype mobile™ that enables customers to use Skype on a variety of best-selling Verizon Wireless BlackBerry® and Android™ 3G Smartphones.
In addition to free Skype-to-Skype global calling and low rates to international landlines and cell phones, Skype will be ‘always on’, meaning customers can receive Skype calls, instant messages and see friends’ presence anytime. And, Skype usage won’t be charged against customers’ monthly Verizon Wireless data plans or minute allowances.
wish they would make it available for all blackberry
But tomorrow is Wednesday...?
EDIT: Okay just checked the link and it does say Thursday, March 25th. Might want to remove the "starting tomorrow" in the post so no one gets confused.
Sounds pretty interesting, but thanks to a crackberry user I am loving Google Voice which is awesome!!!
Nice to see someone saw my thread :)
http://forums.crackberry.com/f145/skype-launch-thursday-441893
RIM looking for guinea pigs again..........
I don't think that RIM is involved in Skype. SkypeMobile is a deal between Skype and Verizon
skype.com/vzw on your blackberry browser
Just downloaded it!!!