Skype on Mobile Handsets.

Forums › Mobile handsets › Skype on Mobile Handsets.

scuwp

1069 posts

Uber Geek

Topic # 77505 17-Feb-2011 08:15
Wife and one child soon off to the USA. Most places have free wi-fi so want to get her a small device for Skype (video) which is great for the little ones to keep in touch. Laptop is just to big for a recreational trip, so was looking at a capable handset which obviously would have it's uses back home as a decent phone. However all the comments I can find on-line including GZ are basically that Skype video does not work on mobile handsets well, if at all Can anyone offer an update on that situation, or advice on what else she could take that is proven to work for Skype video? Netbook, iPad, iPhone maybe ? Cheers Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!

scuwp

1069 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 441070 18-Feb-2011 11:08
C'mon fellas...chuck me a bone here. Surely someone has used, or tried to use Skype (video) on their mobile phone using wi-fi ? Is it possible? Is it any good? If so what handset and OS did you use iPhone, Galaxy, HTC? Any recommendations? Thanks Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!

mckenndk

563 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 441075 18-Feb-2011 11:11
I can confirm that it does not work on the Android phone and my sister never used video when she was talking to me from the states so I persume the Iphone can't do it either. Dion The cup is over engineered

SteveON

1664 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 441077 18-Feb-2011 11:13
Skype on iPhone (voice) isn't a good idea, worked semi okay on nokia, so I'm thinking that video may be shiet too.

mckenndk

563 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 441089 18-Feb-2011 11:22
And using skype via a Mobile network is not recommended always use via WIFI my sister just used free wifi in the airports etc but can't confirm if she has had any issues or not while trying to connect etc. It worked ok the other day on the Galaxy S using Wifi at home but no option to use video. Dion The cup is over engineered

clicknz

224 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

Reply # 441101 18-Feb-2011 11:45
Hi - I find that Skype works really well on my iPhone 3Gs - often better reception than cell phone calls. With the iPhone 4 you could use Facetime, which works really well - either from iPhone to iPhone or iPhone to mac computer. Cheers, Mike iPhone photo/general blog - here

scuwp

1069 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 441106 18-Feb-2011 11:51
Cheers. I am not so concerned about voice calls or saving costs by using Skype. It's purely for video calling...I guess I will have to consider a small net-book or iPad (if it works on that?) Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!

sep11guy

261 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 441109 18-Feb-2011 11:55
skype on iphone 3gs is great. you can see video and also stream from your end - from the camera at the back of the phone. My friend has a android phone, he installed skype but said it doesnt have video yet.

dclegg

919 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Reply # 441118 18-Feb-2011 12:18
Just tried a Skype video call from my iPhone 4 to Skype on my desktop (iMac running Snow Leopard) via wifi. It worked well, with both ends of the conversation able to see the video stream.

dclegg

919 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Reply # 441120 18-Feb-2011 12:24
Another option if you do go the iPhone 4 route and if you have OSX, may be to initiate a FaceTime call. This only works if the iPhone has a wifi connection though (unless you jailbreak), and would not be an option if you don't use OSX at home. Video quality seemed a little better to me than Skype, but YMMV.

scuwp

1069 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 441122 18-Feb-2011 12:30
Thanks dclegg Looks like the iPhone may be back on the shopping list, shame as I am kinda more an Android fan :-( Artificial intelligence is no match, for natural stupidity!

n4

644 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 441130 18-Feb-2011 12:50
Have a look at Tango: tango.me and https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sgiggle.production Only seems to work phone-phone though. iPhone and Android supported. Or Oovoo: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.oovoo Both Android and PC. HTC One X (AOKP Jelly Bean), on 2degrees

dclegg

919 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Reply # 441136 18-Feb-2011 13:00
scuwp: Thanks dclegg Looks like the iPhone may be back on the shopping list, shame as I am kinda more an Android fan :-( Hopefully one of the Android Geekzoners can step in and tell you if Skype works well for you then. BTW, Ben Gracewood has an excellent review on the X5. Looks like great bang for your buck.

coffeebaron

2602 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 441141 18-Feb-2011 13:11
Also www.fring.com is another option. Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their ADSL broadband network faster. Why not spend a couple of hundred to make sure you are getting the most out of your connection? Geekzone special price: $150* for master splitter install, normally $200+ through your ISP. Auckland and Waikato areas. *Travel charges may apply. Additional costs may apply for complex installs. I install - Naked DSL, DSL Master Splitters, VoIP, RBI Rural Broadband. Also a dealer for WorldxChange. Need help in Auckland or Waikato? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com