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(full) Skype on Android, is it coming????
I found this from May 2010 (come on Skype it is about time, time to catch the market or we all move on...)
http://skattertech.com/2010/05/skype-mobile-coming-to-sprint-htc-evo-4g/
"Skype envisions a world where video plays a larger role in the way we communicate. The next generation innovation involving video calling will not be bound to the computer. We’re seeing a proliferation of video calling shared between all kinds of connected devices. It’s on computers (today 1/3 of all calls on Skype happen via video), televisions (Skype bringing video calls to living rooms via Panasonic, Samsung & LG partnership), and it will eventually be coming to mobile devices too. We’re betting big on video, and we intend to set the bar on mobile video calling, and it’s something we’re going to do this year.
We will be bringing a direct to consumer app to the Android marketplace later this year. This application will be available for all consumers globally to download regardless of carriers. (i.e. similar to how we offer the iPhone app today)"
– Brianna Reynaud, Skype PR
Skype’s bold statement was clear on two things: they will be launching a mobile video calling service as well as a standard Android app this year.
Update 5/28/10 9:41AM: After a quick phone call from Skype’s PR team early this morning, it looks like they may have pulled the trigger a bit too soon with this comment. According to Reynaud, Skype will definitely be releasing a “direct-to-consumer” Android App this year, however the aren’t completely disclosing whether mobile video calling is an included feature.
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I don't know why so many people want SKype on Android so bad when Google Voice is cheaper and better.
brunes said:
I don't know why so many people want SKype on Android so bad when Google Voice is cheaper and better.
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Skype is available to users in (just about) any country, providing free video chat to both parties (for now at least)....simple enough until Google roles something more universal out.
A. People already have a large base of contacts on Skype.
B. Google voice isn't available outside to the majority of the worlds population, who just happen to live outside the USA.
brunes said:
I don't know why so many people want SKype on Android so bad when Google Voice is cheaper and better.
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I have Google Voice on my SGS, and I had to go through great lengths to get it, as I'm not from USA. That right there is your first reason for wanting Skype. Skype is global. Then, once I had everything installed, I noticed that Google Voice uses a callback system. This results in significant lag if you' re outside of USA. Also, Skype is both a chat, a voice, and a video call software, packaged nicely into one app. If you' re in USA, I understand why GV is more appealing to you, but everywhere else Skype makes more sense.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
exactly, i would LOVED to use Google Voice, but it only works if you are in the USA, if you are not in USA you get an error message.
Skype IS already available for Android, but it only works for the #3 network in UK, its locked to only work on #3 network SIM cards
if some one can maybe HACK that version of skype and ignore the check for #3 network, then we can all use it
Fring
You should use Fring. It is free! it can do video conferencing sms(chat) and make phone calls. I use it for a while now with some other people and it works FANTASTIC! I recommend testing fring first before going to pay for something that can be freely done.
nimbuzz is also a good option.
andrej.marinic said:
I have Google Voice on my SGS, and I had to go through great lengths to get it, as I'm not from USA. That right there is your first reason for wanting Skype. Skype is global. Then, once I had everything installed, I noticed that Google Voice uses a callback system. This results in significant lag if you' re outside of USA. Also, Skype is both a chat, a voice, and a video call software, packaged nicely into one app. If you' re in USA, I understand why GV is more appealing to you, but everywhere else Skype makes more sense.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
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Can you make a post, or link to an article, regarding your set up and results of Google Voice (what lags and how much? How long did it take to set up? Do you have full functionality? Do you only use a tiny bit of it's full functionality due to competing services being better? etc.). I find Google Voice easy to download, but I never really tried to extract its functionality. Would you do it all over again? Please, the more information, in a "overseas review" like form, the better and the process used would be great!
Thanks in advance.
brunes said:
I don't know why so many people want SKype on Android so bad when Google Voice is cheaper and better.
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Google Voice does not do VOIP either.
I have skype for android beta version but happy with it. Download somewhere in the xda forums.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I thought Fring no longer had Skype?
septlc said:
nimbuzz is also a good option.
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Nimbuzz automatically unblocks your skype contacts -.- Never had the skype voip work but for IM it works alright. An official skype app would be quite wanted.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
You know there is a program called Fringe? It allows anyone to do voice or videochat freely. Point your GalS here m.fringe.com and install. register is easy too.
Add me if you want to test your video call lol, my fringe Id is: jueyn
AllGamer said:
exactly, i would LOVED to use Google Voice, but it only works if you are in the USA, if you are not in USA you get an error message.
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You can use GV outside the USA fairly easily by a combination of SipDroid and ipkall.com
i suppose using ip relay service would work, but that usually inherit a certain lag, definitely not something you want in a VoiceIP call.
even when browsing a website ifyou use IP relays it always gets delays
brunes said:
I don't know why so many people want SKype on Android so bad when Google Voice is cheaper and better.
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Because there are millions of android users outside US who don’t have access to google voice. Skype is sometimes even used synonymously with VOIP, there is a huge demand for it. That’s why so many people ask for it. Even businesses use it as their official telephony method for overseas calling.
brunes said:
You can use GV outside the USA fairly easily by a combination of SipDroid and ipkall.com
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Have you tried this yourself ?? SIP relaying introduces a huge delay. And the last time I tried SipDroid I had a terrible echoing problem as well.
PrimalFury said:
You should use Fring. It is free! it can do video conferencing sms(chat) and make phone calls. I use it for a while now with some other people and it works FANTASTIC! I recommend testing fring first before going to pay for something that can be freely done.
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Fring is not really an alternative to Skype, for one, it doesn’t support Skype, you can make voice calls for some other networks (gtalk, MSN) but the client has a huge delay and a terrible echo to the point where it is almost unusable. I have tried fring on different countries in Asia Pacific region with very good Wi-Fi and 3G connections, but results were almost same. Very rarely I could get a usable connection, so you cant rely on it. Video calls only work between fring clients, and there is no desktop version that supports video calling, this IMO severely limits usability. Besides, video calling is provided at reasonable rates in many countries in the asia pacific region, so there is not much of a need to use a VOIP client to make domestic video calls between cell phones. Same goes for Nimbuzz (perhaps the delay and echo is even worse). So neither of those clients is usable, at least on Galaxy S in some of the Asian Pacific countries.
Either Skype has become a puppet of Verizon, or they don’t care anymore, because they get enough money already mainly from PC clients and Verizon partnership.
Anyways, I have given up hope of using Skype on my mobile, now using a VOIP service that support call back (12voip.com). Their IDD rates are cheaper than Skype (even after paying for calls both ways : incoming to your phone and outgoing to other phone), voice quality is not too bad either.
Fring is not support in 2.2 for the time being... you can install but you cant make proper voice call... so dont even try to mention video call...
I shut my service off yesterday as I will be in Japan for a few months and the international roaming is crazy! Any options to make it work with Google voice only over Wifi? I tried calling and it says no service available.
Also, I'm in Japan, are there any other options like configuring it to work with Softbank or anything like that? Thanks.
Have you tried to download and use the skype app over wifi? It may cost you a little to call but would be better than the roaming fees.
jmd1981 said:
I shut my service off yesterday as I will be in Japan for a few months and the international roaming is crazy! Any options to make it work with Google voice only over Wifi? I tried calling and it says no service available.
Also, I'm in Japan, are there any other options like configuring it to work with Softbank or anything like that? Thanks.
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Google Voice on Android does not currently support VOIP from the handset to the server. That feature is only available through the Gmail desktop browser page on an operating system that is supported by the Gtalk voice and video chat plugin. Another way to get end-to-end VOIP with Google Voice is using Gizmo5, if you had signed up for that service before Google bought it out. That only lets you do incoming calls though.
Also, I'm in Japan, are there any other options like configuring it to work with Softbank or anything like that? Thanks.
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If you have a temp visa or better yet a coworker or friend there you could probably get month-to-month service there. That would be the best bet, but it's generally one of the more difficult countries for visitors to get a sim card in. The airport might have some rental services, but iirc they rented you the whole phone (by the day no less) and it's fairly expensive compared to regular service.
Also it goes without saying that if you want to use a Softbank sim you will need to subsidy unlock (also known as sim unlock) the phone.
Edit: it is rumored that the WiFi calling feature that T-mo is bringing to the G2 and other Android devices will allow a connection and minutes usage internationally. Personally I think this is unlikely (for a few reasons, some of which are legal/regulatory) but it would be pretty nice. Of course this would seriously short circuit the way GV for Android works. You would not be able to make outbound calls with GV in the caller ID.
If you need an unlock code for that phone. to use a japan sim. Let me know via PM
You could always install skype and set your outgoing caller id to your google voice number. Then sign up for a number at sipgate.com and add your new number to google voice. Once that's activated, download and install Fring or sipdroid and add your sipgate information. Use skype to making outgoing, take incoming calls with fring or sipdroid. Alternatively, if you don't want to pay for unlimited skype-out, you can try one of the many google voice dialer apps out there. They basically initiate calls using the google voice web interface, which you can actually do via your browser if none of the apps work out.
Edit.
Or just buy a skype number and unlimited skype out then setup skype caller id and forward your GV calls to your skype #
I'm not sure if any devs will see this here, so I will probably post in the G1 dev forum or the general android forum as well, but I wanted to do a search first and this is the only similar thread I have found. Anyway...
As some of you know, you can now place FREE calls to anywhere in the US or Canada using GMail and the "voice and video chat plugin". You can also receive calls from within GMail if you have a GoogleVoice account and you set it up to forward GoogleVoice calls to "Google Chat" as well as your phone(s).
This is awesome! I can now answer calls from GMail instead of my phone. I wish the desktop GoogleTalk app did that so I wouldn't have to always keep a webbrowser page open to GMail, but that is not what this post is about...
I got to thinking: if GMail can place and receive free phone calls, why can't I do that on my phone (or any device with internet)? I downloaded every available webbrowser for Android and tried to surf to GMail, but none of them even loaded the page (???), much less the plugin.
While searching for any possible solution, I learned that the required "voice and video chat plugin" is available for Linux. This fact makes me almost positive that it is somehow possible for someone to develop an Android app that loads that plugin, logs in to GMail (spoofing a desktop browser), and displays the Pop-out dial pad capable of placing and receiving free calls!
Is anyone up to the challenge? This is huge people! FREE phone where ever there is internet. I hope someone can make this happen.
There is a way of doing this... you ARE talking about calling and using your 3g/4g network, right?
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Um... ok, what is the way of doing it?
I am talking about using the Google "voice and video chat plugin" along with the dialer in GMail to make/receive free calls anywhere with internet (WiFi/3G/4G, without using minutes) just like you can already do if you have a Windows/Mac/Linux webbrowser, but through an Android device.
Don't you have WiFi Calling?
AndroidBoston said:
Don't you have WiFi Calling?
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Do you not realize the WiFi calling app still relies on the TMO network?
rpmccormick said:
Um... ok, what is the way of doing it?
I am talking about using the Google "voice and video chat plugin" along with the dialer in GMail to make/receive free calls anywhere with internet (WiFi/3G/4G, without using minutes) just like you can already do if you have a Windows/Mac/Linux webbrowser, but through an Android device.
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No, there is no equivalent of the gmail chat plugin. You're limited to using a sip client and forwarding your GV to that number
I'm pretty sure you can't even roam in Japan anymore. Unless this phone has the UMTS frequencies for 1900, you wont get anything. Recently, Softbank shut off GSM/2G service.
I have google voice installed on my wifi xoom when I try to call someone it calls my phone then when I answer it my phone calls the contact I tried to call from GV.? Is there any way to just make calls from GV? It also is the same for the browser version of GV. Texting works on both though.
Google voice is not a voice over IP service, it doesn't do calls.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Actually there is a way. Go to the Xoom developers forum and open the thread called "CRTAnim+desktop.........". Go to last page. Note that you have to be rooted to do this.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
o man I was thinking it did because when I had it installed on my old g1 back in the day I made calls from my g1 with google voice. But don't remember it calling my g1 then connecting to the contact I called. Sorry for the dumb question. I feel very supid now
okay thanks don't know if I will be rooting this one tho. Can't say I won't because I always do when I get tired of waiting for the newest update lol.
If you dont want to root, and still make voip calls with this, its easy..
get a sipdroid account, at pbxes.org
install sipdroid on the xoom
install something like acrobits SIP dialer, or, you should be able to do it with your google voice account
the thread that tells you how to sync your google voice account to sipdroid is here
http://www.droidxforums.com/forum/droid-x-apps/15366-sipdroid-free-voip-via-google-voice.html
there are some issues today with pbxes servers, so it may not work right at the moment, but trust me, I have been making voip calls from my evo for months using this, and, made tons of calls from the xoom earlier in the week using this method
have fun!
cool thanks I will check that out.
ericman77 said:
I have google voice installed on my wifi xoom when I try to call someone it calls my phone then when I answer it my phone calls the contact I tried to call from GV.? Is there any way to just make calls from GV? It also is the same for the browser version of GV. Texting works on both though.
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Wait... how did you get Google Voice on your Wi-Fi Xoom?
It's not in the Market.
you dont need google voice on your tablet, per se, you just need a google voice account, ad, you do the configuring from the google voice website..
gerbick said:
Wait... how did you get Google Voice on your Wi-Fi Xoom?
It's not in the Market.
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Side load it. There's an older thread on this forum titled something like "I got GV working...." it includes a link where you can do a hacked version of GV that works great for SMS.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Is it possible to make regular calls from the wi-fi Acer tablet? Like maybe from Google Voice?
I beleive the answer is Google Voice, which doesn't work on tablets, but if you google around you'll find hacked versions for Honeycomb that might work. Those allow you to do incoming calls, but for outgoing you need a dialer, and there is a program on the market called GrooVe IP which does what you need. It's cheap, about $2 or something. Your phone number would be your Google number, and you have to have it set to forward calls to Chat. I also think you have to log out of all your other Chat sessions on other computers for it to work. I played with it but gave up for now and am hoping Google will bless us with a fully functional version.
mknewman said:
I beleive the answer is Google Voice, which doesn't work on tablets, but if you google around you'll find hacked versions for Honeycomb that might work. Those allow you to do incoming calls, but for outgoing you need a dialer, and there is a program on the market called GrooVe IP which does what you need. It's cheap, about $2 or something. Your phone number would be your Google number, and you have to have it set to forward calls to Chat. I also think you have to log out of all your other Chat sessions on other computers for it to work. I played with it but gave up for now and am hoping Google will bless us with a fully functional version.
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Wait, there's a way to get incoming calls to work?
Sent from my DROID X2 using XDA Premium App
Technically you should be able to call with skype, need to get credit first or subscribe to premium also there is another voip app like buster which also works with credit on your account.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
I will look around for the hack. I will post it here once I find it.
After successfully linking my touchpad to my thunderbolt for calls and texts, I wondered if this is something that would be possible between my thunderbolt and motorola xoom. Has anyone heard of anything in development that would add this functionality?
I asked about this a while back, one of the good features from the touchpads webos
Trig0r said:
I asked about this a while back, one of the good features from the touchpads webos
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Use Google Voice and you can get and send SMS and voicemail (I think) on the Xoom using your mobile #.
(off topic) I have wifi only but I can use Xoom as a VOIP phone using GV and GrooveIP.
yeah google voice and grooveIP will do wonders !! i am calling anywhere in the US from outside the US for free
Not all of us are in the US though, I tried to setup Google Voice and it told me to go away
Unfortunately Google Voice is not available from within Canada. I can connect to it through work however, since our server is located in the U.S.