Comments on: Skype me baby. Riiiiight there.

Question: Skype me baby. Riiiiight there.

TomMelee — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:08:36 -0800

Cheapest and easiest overall way to use skype, what is it? Details inside.

I've got the adapter that lets me use a regular phone with skype. It's fine, but it requires my full size computer running all the time to use it. That stinks. I could pickup one of the linksys standalone skype phones, but they're like $150+ and they're one trick ponies. Is there something easier?

I've got a MotoQ, which doesn't do Wifi and we're a good year out of 3G wireless speeds in this here podunk town. I'm a long way away from being out of contract, so a phone upgrade is going to be expeeeeeensive. (I think I could get an HTC for like $220 right now...)

I thought about something like an EEEpc, but that's still kinda large. I'd sorta like to be able to carry it with me, although it's not required.

What about a pocketpc? Are there any cheapish ones that you like that can run skype AND wifi?

I've got the Q, so I don't really really need the PDA, but it seems like if I'm paying the money I might as well have the functionality. I could, I suppose, drop the data plan from the Q and save my employer $25/month, as my workplace and home are wi-fi'd, although lots of places aren't and I needs my emails.

So tell me how I can most effectively make use of my subscription! Homebrews and hacks are welcome.

By: TomMelee

TomMelee — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:13:55 -0800

I should point out that my work uses USCellular and my GF's phone is now ATT. I REALLY don't want to pay for a data plan for her phone, she doesn't use any gadgetry, but she uses Skype often to call her parents out of state. We don't have ATT 3g here either.

By: Geppp

Geppp — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:26:53 -0800

You can get an Ipod touch and run Skype

By: majikstreet

majikstreet — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:30:28 -0800

Depends on your definition of cheap. Nokia's N800, N770, and N810 all can run Skype (I think). They use wifi

By: autojack

autojack — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:40:30 -0800

I'm not sure what kind of complaint it is that a telephone is a one-trick pony... we're talking about phone calls over the internet. You're asking essentially for a computer powerful enough to handle that, miniaturized to the size of a regular phone, for less than $150, that does more than just make phone calls.

Try this SIP adaptor.

And this VOIP termination provider instead of Skype's stupid proprietary protocol. You can also get a DID (incoming phone number) through them. In the end I suspect it would cost you less than Skype. It's a penny a minute anywhere in the US. I use them with my own Asterisk server and a DID to call my girlfriend in Australia. It's like running my own phone card company just for me.

By: geos

geos — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:01:27 -0800

note to above: the Ipod touch does not run Skype(tm) jailbroken or not.

I actually use skype in/out on a Nokia N800 as my only phone. so i can say this, it works... more or less. and it is quite portable. i wouldn't recommend anyone use it as their only phone, but i don't really like being called and don't get many calls so it works out ok for me...anyway.

the nokia N series are interesting devices, if you are used to tinkering with linux machines no problem should be too surprising. there are a lot of third party applications but a lot of them are fairly rudimentary. the main applications i wanted were: skype on wifi, imap email and webmail, pdf/*djvu !* viewing all of which it does. and you can even get a terminal window... nothing works perfectly and the N800 feels a bit slow but not unusably so. plus it (and the N810) have a removable SD card slot. (but don't expect to watch movies on it)

one of the problems with VOIP/wifi is that many wireless access points, especially public ones, don't play nice with SIP. I think the Skype black magic protocol is probably a plus. generally, my experience has been that if i can get an ip address, skype will connect calls.

bottomline: Nokia N8XX are definitely not slick totally consumer friendly machines (see Apple) but basically work with a lot of quirks.

Skype on Nokia basically works with a lot of quirks and some annoying bugs.

By: meehawl

meehawl — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:44:35 -0800

Skype Mobile and SIP-enabler fring work great on my HTC Titan ("Sprint Mogul") on the Sprint network for $30/month with unlimited internet @ 2 Mbps with voice included. Combine with Google's GrandCentral and Gizmo for unlimited calls and visual voicemail. You can also do video VOIP with Microsoft Portrait.