As discussed in my liveblogging of the last firmware update, Skype is now included on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet. I already covered the application installation, launching, and posted a video of the first call, but a more in-depth view of Skype is deserved.First: What is this Skype thing, anyway?
Skype, simply put, is an advanced Voice-over-IP (VOIP) service which allows users on an internet connection to call other users' computers for free, and their cell phones, mobile phones, for dirt cheap per-minute rates or on a $29.95 unlimited plan in the US and Canada. It also allows "in calling" for a fee, which will assigns the subscriber a phone number that can be called with regular phones. We'll get into the exact features shortly.
But don't we already have Internet Calling on the N800?
Yes, but not like this. The built-in Google Talk client only allows users to talk to other compatible Google Talk clients. Gizmo Project, previously reviewed on this blog, does not have the user base or commercial support that Skype does. Gizmo may be on open standards (SIP,) but Skype is free too. Skype is also BIGGER and offers more features. There are also Skype WiFi phones, headsets, and other accessories. If there's a race for VOIP penetration, Skype's charging forth at over 100 million registered users.
What can Skype do?
Now that we've answered "Why," let's look at Skype's features. Features in BOLD are available directly from the N800 interface. Features with an asterisk (*) require either a subscription or credit.
- Server-Side Contact List
- Chat (Instant Messages)
- Group Chat
- Skype to Skype Voice calls
- Voice conference calls
- Video calls
- Voicemail*
- Calling land lines and mobile phones with SkypeOut*
- Accept calls from land lines and mobile phones with SkypeIn*
- Send text messages to mobile phones with SkypeSMS*
- Call Forwarding* (Answer Skype calls on a regular phone)
- File Transfers
- History of placed calls, messages, missed messages
Installation on the N800 - Smooth and simple. I reposted the video above so installation and a call test can be shown.
Call Test:
- Using the N800's speaker and microphone - This was quite good. No echo and little outside noise and the loudness was comparable to current cell phone speakerphones.
- Using the N800's wired headset - It came through a little too soft for a noisy room even when turned up all the way, but still functioned well. The microphone was loud and clear on the other side.
SkypeOut Calling - Just as good as Skype to Skype calling. The N800 has a convenient thing where it remembers your last country code and automatically prepends your phone number with it unless you change it. My last Mac version of Skype did not.
Contact List Management - As shown above, the contact list shows contacts grouped by online/offline, then grouped by frequency. SkypeOut numbers (regular land lines) are put between the two with a dark blue icon. Tapping any online Skype user will give the option to Call or Chat. Tapping a SkypeOut number in your address book gives the option to call but not chat or SMS. Contacts can be double-tapped to call or chat and that default behavior is set in the Settings.
Chat and Event History - Chat is just as good as any messenger on the N800, except this one keeps the history. In addition to chat histories, Skype keeps track of all calls sent, received, missed, and voicemail as shown above.
Settings and Options - There is a rich variety of customizable settings in Skype on the N800 from privacy to notification and sounds to advanced connection settings. From the screen above, it is also possible to check your balance and purchase more Skype Credit directly from the N80o.
Final Thoughts - The Skype client carries most of the important features of its desktop counterpart. Calls are stable and clear. Connections are stable, but tend to lose quality or connection when performing other CPU intensive tasks on the N800 at the same time. On the wishlist for this one: SkypeSMS and conference calling. Conference chat, however, should still be present but I haven't found enough available friends online at the same time to test it.
With so many people ditching landlines, it's important to keep a backup for mobile devices. As for myself, I will be buying the $30/year unlimited calling plan. I know it will be handy especially for long hold-times to tech support centers and customer service calls. You could easily chew up 90 peak minutes on hold with various hardware and software companies and it's best to do that off the mobile phone.
11 comments:
Skype on the N800 is just the feature that was missing when I reviewed it in January :)
Gizmo isnt open source, Its built on a open standard(SIP)but its a closed source commercial program.
gog: Thanks for the correction.
I wonder why they chose not to implement the video calling. Is the hw to weak to support it? The camera on the N800 is definitely wasted feature.
Is there anyway to have video chat between the N800 and a PC? I read
Nokia Internet Call Invitation (Beta) was removed with the latest firmware (not that I had any luck with that) and the Nokia N800 skype doesn't support video.
> Gizmo may be on open standards (SIP,) but Skype is free too.
No, the point is the Skype is not as free as Gizmo.
When you say "Skype is free" you actually mean it's free of charge to download and use. So, it free as in beer, not free as in freedom.
Skype does a lot of weird things starting with traffic encryption and scrambling and ending with relaying the traffic of other people through your computer, potentially, it is even capable of stealing information from your computer and you'll never know 'cause all the traffic is encrypted.
Skype is a black box. You can use it, however, you gotta realize that you're doing it on your own risk.
I've been using Gizmo with my Nokia N800 for both computer-to-computer and computer-to-landline calls. And'd say I'm pretty satisfied with it.
Skype without the video support is just another phone. Hopefully Nokia people will do something about it
Why would you prefer Skype to something like Gizmo Project with Grand Central? With this combo you get a free incoming number from your local area code. Does Skype offer that? You can also make free outgoing calls with Grand Central during their beta period. I haven't paid for a call in months. Does Skype offer that? You also get free voice mail. Does Skype offer that? You can also have calls routed to other phones so you can get calls even when you are not online. This is also free. Does Skype offer that? All of this works perfectly on my N770, so I would have to imagine it would work fine on the N800 too. Skype also uses your systems resources to route other people's calls even when you are not using it. Yes, Skype has a lot of registered users. I have to use it because so many of the people I work with use it exclusively, but it certainly isn't the best thing out there despite the publicity it gets.
There's certainly an advantage to using skype, but it doesn't mean it's the best. Just like we can use OpenOffice instead of microsoft office. Except so many people use ms office, it is inconvenient to use openoffice. Users are not smart as you think. Most of them don't read instructions.
It's a shame the N800 doesn't support bluetooth headsets with skype. I was quite exited when I saw skype had been released for the N800, and noticed the device had BT support, so I bought the unit instead of waiting for a hacked iphone.
Skype would never match Gizmo. Why? simply because Gizmo is available for eveything. I have it in my Nokia phone, N800, PC and ATA. They give you a free SIP number with a Voicemail. Waaaw! You have many access numbers. And not to forget Gizmocall and the other features (check their Web Site).
Skype is not available on mobile phones (except with a company called 3). And it does not support ATA. Plus it's not interoperable with MSN, Yahoo, AIM..., etc.
I think if Gizmo offers a North America unlimited plan for $30, Skype would go bankrupt.
As I read it somewhere on the Net. Skype was the hit of 2004. Gizmo is the hit of 2007.
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