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lissie: The launch of Ideos has just about made me deside to jump from my ancient cdma telecom phone to a smart phone. However this review at cnet gives me pause as it says skype is not available - how can thatbe - there would have to be an android skype app - or can the phone manufacturer control what is downloaded ?
I would the phone to travel with - so I have 2 questions
a) can I just swap to local sim card on arrival at a new country - particularly thinking about doing this in ireland, malaysia, thailand
b) if you use wifi - exclusively - which I probably will do - do I even need a SIM? Do I still need to pay for data using a free local WIFI hotspot ?
The article must be old. Skype for Android is now available. It should work on the IDEOS.
I would also recommend "Fring"...and suggest to contacts they have a look at it too. It's available on all platforms and supports dialing out to landlines "Fringout" and video calling, too....where as Skype for Andoird (so far) does not do video calling. Fring also works better. Faster, smoother and fewer hassles than Skype. If all you want it is a way to dialout to landlines over the wifi for cheap...then Fring is a good backup to Skype.
A local SIM should work if you can get one. Some countries require proof of local residence before you're allowed to buy one.....in which case you have to try to get someone to buy one for you or try to get one second-hand. Also be aware that many countries do not offer nationwide cellular pricing. The number may be for a "local" area.....and anything outside that area may be a toll call. In North America, you'll also pay for incoming call and txts as well as outgoing. So their lower per-minute rates obscure the fact they get you in both directions.
If you use wifi, you don't need a SIM...other than the NZ one. If you do want to use your phone, you can make and receive a few short calls without breaking the bank, even if it is $2.50/minute. 5 x 2 minute calls will be $25. The key words there are "few" and "short". So dont' call your mother. Mine can never get off the phone in less than 10 minute even if she has nothing to say. :-)
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