Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

So, with the new WiMAX IT coming, I guess some of us can replace our cellphones with it. Of course we would pay for WiMAX service, but coupled with Skpe Pro and SkypIn, it might work.

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

The only problem with replacing your cell with skype is that because it's a VOIP technology, you're subject to situations where the audio gets distorted as packets get slow-downs. That's the down-side to packet switched communications over circuit switched ... and it mostly shows up in as an artifact in voice and video calls, but not as badly in other communications (ie. game lag is annoying, but it's not like you're unable to hear your boss tell you a critical business detail because skype got distorted right then).

All of the times I've tried skype, I've had that problem.

I do wish that skype allowed me to dial into skype with a regular phone, and then either:

a) check my skype voice-mail, like I can do with any other voice mail (I don't have to check my voice mail via specific protocols, I can call from any device at any location)

b) park my phone, and make calls via that phone, as well has have skype calls routed to that phone, until I un-park it (essentially using any phone as my skype phone, and then at least the link from me to skype is circuit switched instead of packet switched). Plus, in a way, this could be like the early days of Sprint and the other AT&T competitors, were you dialed some number (Sprint's access number) and THEN got a sprint dial tone ... and called the number you wanted to talk to.


With (a), I'd probably use skype as my universal voice mail, and the number I give out as my default home phone number.

With (b), I could do something like get a T-mobile phone, with the 5 my-faves, and then put skype as one of my favorites. Then I could make unlimited calls via my cell phone.

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

Hey guys, I'm trying to set up a SIP account to use through Skype. I'm currently using Broadvoice VoIP at home, and they support any device. I've been reading their tech support documents and I'm confused about using the N800 with skype - would I use the same settings and account my current phone adapter is using, or would this be an entirely new device added to my account?

BTW, if this works, Broadvoice is a really really nice VoIP provider with an inexpensive World plan that lets you call nearly every country on the planet for free.

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

I'm not sure you can use the Skype client/program as a generic SIP client.

There IS a generic SIP client built in to OS2008, though. You just go to the control panel, accounts, and then add a SIP account.

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

Skype may not be that useful for lots of people in the US, agreed. For myself, as a European, it's great. Crossing borders all the time, travelling everywhere.. I use Skype to call landlines at home from the other side of the world, or from the next country. Great sound, costs nothing. Using the cellphone would bankrupt me (or result in a Serious Talk with the VP of finance if I use my work cellphone).

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

Well, I cannot tell about the privacy part, but I can tell you what I tried:

voipbuster (part of the betamax group), you can't beat the price (free landline calls) but my relatives complain that they hear me bad (though I hear them perfectly), and that's surprising since their local access number service (call a local number then dial the destination number after the voice prompt), which I suppose it uses the same infrastructure, works flawlessly. It works on the tablet but only if you remove the ilbc codec library and manually select the udp transport.

wengo, I just used the free trial, godd quality, very good rates, but I didn't buy credit since it expires after 6 months. Never tried it on the tablet.

eutelia (formerly skypho.net), has good rates (not as good as wengo but the credit doesn't expire), very good quality, and it gives you up to 15 free geographic free incoming numbers in italy, uk or romania (other countries cost 2 eur a month). I have a number in italy so my technophobe relatives can call me at the cost of a local call. Works out of the box on the tablet.

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

How does skype compare against these VoIP providers, and where does Gizmo stand in this list?

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

I use sipgate, in the UK you get a free telephone number for inbound calls, can be a "real" one - you get to choose the location, e.g. london or edinburgh - or a non-geographic one e.g. 0845.

voicemail is free, outbound calls are free, so far I've had it working with my Linksys/sapura PAP2T, my nokia E65's native SIP client; not tried yet with N800 but that's on my to-do.

skype is proprietary and can use a surprising amount of your internet bandwidth as it can act as a server without you knowing.

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

Toying with some things, I noticed that I can actually do most of (b) with Skype now (using Skype Pro).

With Skype To Go, I can call a given phone number, enter a code, and then call any one of 5 pre-determined numbers via Skype Out. And I can change the pre-sets via my N810.

I can also use Call Transfer and Call Forwarding to deliver my Skype In calls to my cell phone and/or house phone.

Now if I could just check my voice mail via my cell/house phone.

Re: So that's what Skype is for!
 

In Holland we have no Wimax and no Skype-in (or any mobile/landline to sip)..bummer.