Comments on: skype + wifi + iphone = the ultimate threesome?

Question: skype + wifi + iphone = the ultimate threesome?

crankyrogalsky — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:49:13 -0800

can i use skype over wifi on my iphone without getting hit with data/phone charges? googlefu has failed me - now i'm more confused than ever.

maybe i have ~~two~~ three questions. ok, i'm pretty sure i do ... but question 1 is most important.

i have iphone 3g (spare, no sim card) and 3gs (this one has my sim card); i have wifi in my apartment; i (sadly) have at&t cell service. i have google voice and don't mind buying the nonskype plan - it's still cheaper than a landline. neither phone is jailbroken/jailbroke/stolen/whatever.

1. can i use skype on my 3gs in my apartment over wifi but not using at&t data or minutes?

2. how does sound compare on skype/iphone/wifi vs iphone/att network? i live in chicago and have typical shitty problems with att - pretty much no service in my apartment.

3. can i use my spare 3g as a dedicated skype/iphone/wifi? it does not have a sim card.

does this make sense? am i asking the right questions?

By: Tomorrowful

Tomorrowful — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:50:46 -0800

1) Yes.

2) It's pretty good! I use it regularly to call in to teleconference meetings.

3) Yep. Just connect it to your wifi, fire up skype, and converse as much as you want.

By: bitdamaged

bitdamaged — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:26:14 -0800

Skype, I believe, only uses wifi on iOS devices. So you're safe.

By: Tomorrowful

Tomorrowful — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:31:42 -0800

Skype, I believe, only uses wifi on iOS devices. So you're safe.

This has changed; it's now available on 3G as well, and the short-lived plans to charge extra for that feature have been dropped.

By: jillithd

jillithd — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:10:57 -0800

To be extra safe, you can always change your phone to be in airplane mode and then turn on your wifi (for the 3gs with a sim). That way there is NO CHANCE that AT&T will charge you for data.

By: crankyrogalsky

crankyrogalsky — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:05:45 -0800

you guys are all amazing ... i didn't even realize i could use the phone without the sim card. i've just spent the last hour playing with it. now i can play sudoku on it, use it as an alarm clock, etc.

i can't believe i didn't know any of this. dios mio - i feel an idiot. but am super super grateful.

By: birdherder

birdherder — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:22:56 -0800

To be extra safe, you can always change your phone to be in airplane mode and then turn on your wifi (for the 3gs with a sim). That way there is NO CHANCE that AT&T will charge you for data.

iOS 4 added the ability to turn off the cellular data completely without having to go through putting the phone in airplane mode. This will allow incoming texts and calls to your phone but stops any data via ATT.

By: crankyrogalsky

crankyrogalsky — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:45:26 -0800

i like airplane mode ... instead of an ugly "no sim card" message, i have a cute orange airplane. and a new phone/alarm clock/sudoku/wikipedia tool. oh - and an electronic level.

it's like a mini ipad ... which sounds stupid, but will likely keep me from leaving my phone at home. which i do ALL THE TIME.

By: chunking express

chunking express — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:01:16 -0800

Yes. My coworker uses Skype on his iPod touch.