Russ Shaw, general manager of Mobile for Skype, summarizes the news:

“Skype mobile will deliver an unparalleled experience for Verizon Wireless customers. It will be the best way to enjoy unlimited conversations with Skype contacts all over the world at no extra cost. In addition, Skype mobile will allow people to easily and inexpensively make calls to landlines and mobiles abroad at Skype rates.”

Once installed, customers get free unlimited Skype-to-Skype calls and chat, neither activity counts against data or voice minute limits. Interestingly, Verizon will route all Skype voice calls over its standard voice circuit switches to insure the quality of service. This means the app won’t work over Wi-Fi and if you try to make SkypeOut calls, they will count against your minutes or your Skype credits. After signing in, the application runs in the background for presence purposes and to receive Skype calls or chats at any time. I assume that you can log out and shut down the application to save battery life or show as offline. Verizon says that phone contacts can be merged with Skype mobile for a single list of contacts for calling or instant messaging.

Verizon said that additional BlackBerry and Android devices gain the client as the handsets are added to the network. That, of course, begs the question about the Nexus One which is coming to Verizon soon. Will Skype mobile only officially work with or be offered on Nexus One phones on Verizon’s network?

Image courtesy of Skype

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One of the best features of the Android platform — for me — is the tight integration with Google Voice. I have multiple phones on different carriers and Google Voice makes it all work well with one simple phone number. It’s so tightly integrated into Android that it turns any phone into a real Google Voice machine. I get quite giddy thinking about the Nexus One, Google Voice and Verizon’s rollout of Skype.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Verizon touting its Skype support alongside the Nexus One launch. It would create a tremendous amount of buzz in the smartphone space, and Verizon is getting better at that. This combination would give Verizon customers a powerful smartphone package, perhaps the best in the marketplace. The ability to use Skype for low-cost calling on the Nexus One is powerful enough, but when you throw in the possibility to use Google Voice in combination, you have a power user’s dream machine.

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Skype may no longer be available for Windows Mobile but the Symbian crowd should take note that the VoIP app has left the beta stage and is now available in the Ovi Store. You can’t make video calls but otherwise Skype for Symbian has all of the features you expect from your VoIP client:

• make free Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world
• send and receive instant messages to and from individuals or groups
• share pictures, videos and other files
• receive calls to your online number
• see when Skype contacts are online and available to call or IM
• easily import names and numbers from the phone’s address book

It is refreshing to hear that Skype for Symbian can be used over Wi-Fi and 3G connections for maximum usefulness. Phone carriers can be downright paranoid over the use of VoIP over 3G so we’ll have to see how this plays out globally. The app can be downloaded directly or obtained through the Ovi Store. Skype for Symbian will work on the following handsets, per Skype:

Nokia N97, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia X6, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and Nokia 5530 and the following non-touch devices: Nokia E72, Nokia E71, Nokia E90, Nokia E63, Nokia E66, Nokia E51, Nokia N96, Nokia N95, Nokia N95 8Gb, Nokia N85, Nokia N82, Nokia N81, Nokia N81 8 Gb, Nokia N79, Nokia N78, Nokia 6220 classic, Nokia 6210 Navigator, Nokia 5320.

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“We’ve chosen to withdraw Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile because we want to offer our new customers an improved mobile experience – much like the version that has proved so popular on the iPhone, and which is now available on Symbian phones. Our focus is on providing a rich user experience that allows you to enjoy free Skype-to-Skype and low cost calls as easily on the move as you do at your desktop.
We felt that Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile were not offering the best possible Skype experience.”

It’s that last sentence that captures what I think is the essence of this move — “…not offering the best possible Skype experience.” A perfect example of that is the audio output issue that for years has plagued Skype for Windows Mobile users. I can remember as far back as 2006 trying to use Skype on a WinMo phone only to have the audio conversation broadcast through the speaker for all the world to hear. The Skype development team simply couldn’t guarantee a consistent experience in a case like this because their software could only access the correct speaker if a handset manufacturer included a specific API. Without a phone-specific hack or additional software, Skype simply couldn’t offer the best possible experience. It was beyond their control.

Since the problem has been around for years, I’m surprised that Skype didn’t hang up this software sooner. On the other hand, it’s been a problem for this long, so why kill it now? The only reasons I can think of are that the company is simply tired of getting bashed over an issue that’s beyond its control and because it will now focus support and development on a Windows Phone 7 Series client. Given that Microsoft is standardizing the chassis designs and hardware requirements, Skype may have a better chance to offer the solid experience it’s striving for.

Note that Skype Lite for mobiles — and I assume Android, since I haven’t seen it in the Android Market for some time — is also on the disabled list. That actually does surprise me. This client geared for Java-based phones only debuted about a year ago. Perhaps Skype is changing focus and evolving its business model — instead of targeting device platforms and end users, maybe we’ll see more deals with carriers like the recent one with Verizon.

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Unfortunately, the current Skype client for Android is really a Skype Lite application that’s better suited for Skype chatting than for everyday calls as far as I know. I can’t even find it in the Android Market on my Nexus One for some reason, which is a shame since I use Skype all the time. Perhaps, there are new clients on the way?

Regardless of potential client limitations, what can you do with Skype on Verizon’s network over 3G?

• Make and receive unlimited free Skype-to-Skype voice calls to anyone on Skype around the globe
• Call international phone numbers at Skype’s low rates
• Send and receive instant messages to other Skype users
• See your friends’ online status

On the Skype Mobile product page, this tidbit jumped out at me: “Skype usage won’t be charged against customers’ monthly Verizon Wireless data plans or minute allowances.” Last I checked, the smartphone data service on Verizon Wireless phones was unlimited, but this development is good news for folks with limited amounts of voice minutes. With solid 3G coverage and friends on Skype, you could save your voice minutes for non-Skype calls as needed.

This is the first time I’ve seen a major partnership between Skype and U.S. carrier — I hope it’s the not the last. I realize that the carriers have to insure against applications that could affect the network capabilities, but it’s time to break free of the challenges holding back the mobile web.

I’m not exactly surprised that it is Verizon making this deal. It offers the largest geographical 3G coverage area in the U.S. and it is also poised to be the first U.S. carrier to begin transitioning over to LTE. On the LTE network, voice should simply be just another form of data, so Verizon is getting a head start now to see how that’s going to shake out as voice revenues continue to decline.

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Along with the new support for Skype contacts, IM+ works with AIM, iChat, Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo, ICQ, Jabber, Google Talk, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. That covers just about everything, no? Version 7.6.1 of IM+ for Windows Mobile will set you back $39.95, but there is a free 7-day trial available. The price sounds steep for a mobile client, but bear in mind two things. One, you’re pretty much covered on all of the major chat networks. And two, you’re paying for a lifetime license — all future upgrades are free.

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To get the beta build running on your Linux distro, your system needs are pretty meager — a 1GHz processor, 256 MB of RAM, 20 MB of free storage, a video card with Xv support, and of course, a microphone and headset jack.

Skype is one of the few apps I install on every machine I have simply because I find it so useful. The screen sharing feature trumps my other oft-used app for audio / video chatting, which is Google Talk. You can collaborate on documents in real time with Google Docs while chatting on Google Talk, but it’s just not the same. The fact that Skype is supported across platforms also makes it a key app. It’s getting to the point where I need an app to be usable on nearly every type of architecture whether it’s an operating system, mobile platform or the web itself.

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• 512 MB of RAM and ROM
• 4 GB microSD card included with support for up to 32 GB of removable storage
• 3.7″ AMOLED display with WVGA resolution
• 5 megapixel camera sensor with 2x digital zoom
• 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi support
• 1 GHz Qualcomm QSD 8250 processor
• Removable 1400 mAh battery
• Voice supported on both AT&T and T-Mobile, but 3G is only good for T-Mo. AT&T’s network will provide EDGE.

All in all, it looks like the most powerful Android handset yet, but for all of the early hype of this being “the” Google phone, I don’t see the anticipated disruption that was predicted with enthusiasm. Unless of course, the whole story isn’t told yet. Engadget also reports a January 5, 2010 release date by invitation only. I’m not sure what that’s all about, but again, not disruptive — annoying maybe, but not disruptive.

I’m thinking that Gizmo and Google Voice are the hole cards in this poker game — and possibly Google Talk, which works just like a phone call on the Nokia N900. Google purchased VoIP provider Gizmo last month and when I log into my Google Voice account, I can already set up a Gizmo SIP number as one of my “phones.” I’ve already added a SkypeIn number as well — it works great with Google Voice. A call to my Google Voice number rings any Skype clients on my phones or the Skype client on my PC or Mac. But Google’s investment in Gizmo tells me that Skype won’t be a primary voice solution for Android. Let me turn my own hole card with this thought — do you now see why I was so interested in getting a data-only SIM card on the T-Mobile network? I’m betting on the Google Voice, Google Talk and Gizmo integration because if it comes to pass, it could be the beginning of the end for cellular voice plans.

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Aside from the basic free Skype-to-Skype calling, the beta includes:

• Calling landline or cell phones with Skype credits or subscription
• Receiving calls on your Online Number
• Instant Messaging
• Group conversations
• File sending and receiving

The software works over both Wi-Fi and 3G mobile broadband, so you’re not limited to hotspot or home usage. Bear in mind that you’ll need 6 MB of storage space to install Skype, so a little early spring cleaning might be in order. Note that this version uses its own contact management — as far as I can tell, there’s no native integration with your handset’s contact app like that fancy N900.

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Last night I went to use the evaluation Nokia N900 and call James, when I realized I had a data-only SIM card in the device. It turns out that it didn’t matter due to the excellent integration of VoIP and IM services within Maemo. You can see by the picture that I was on a call with James. It looks like any normal call, right? It’s not. I “called” James over Google Talk and I did it right through the standard Contacts application, just like I would for a regular phone call. Here’s how it works.

Within Maemo on the N900, you can easily set up VoIP and IM accounts for Google, Jabber, SIP, Skype and Ovi. I set up Skype and Google Talk because those are the services I use on a daily basis.

On the main screen of the N900, your presence for these services is always shown, and a quick tap allows you to modify your status. You can even show your location to these services at one of three levels: city, district, or street. Once you’ve set up your accounts for these services, the N900 will show your contact’s statuses as well. It’s completely integrated within the Contacts application, so with a quick glance you can see who’s online and who’s not. In fact, you can sort your contacts by Availability which moves all of the online contacts from VoIP and IM to the top. Simply tapping one of these contacts provides the option for me to call over Skype, Google Talk or to send an IM.

At this point, you essentially have one address book for all of your peeps, regardless of how you contact them. For instance, in my case I can use contacts to place a voice call to a cellphone, landline, Skype or Google Talk. The network method simply doesn’t matter and I love that — I want to call people, not numbers. So if I want to ping James via phone, voice over IP or IM, I can do it all one place.

While other handsets have this type of presence integration, I like the breadth of services offered natively within Maemo on the N900 — especially Skype. In fact, I’m wondering if some folks could get away with an N900 and no voice plan. By combining the free Google Voice service with a $60 yearly Skype number, could the N900 be a data-driven device with voice access over the web? Granted, we need ubiquitous wireless coverage for such a scenario, but I think the idea has merit for the N900 as well as future handset. Om noted this VoIP integration in his first look at the N900, but I think many folks are missing what could be a killer feature for some.

Before I forget: the call quality was “near cellular” James tells me. I was actually using Wi-Fi for my connection, which routes my web traffic over a fast FiOS connection. I held the device like a phone and I also put it on speakerphone — from my side, it sounded just like any other phone call. There was no lag, no echo, nor any other sound issues from the stereo speakers on the left and right side of the handset. All in all, it was a seamless and positive experience.

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The folks at fring tell me that this is just the first round of supported devices and that many others will be added — even the iPhone. That one stumps me a bit due to the lack of a front-facing camera. On an iPhone, you’ll be able to see your caller just fine, but he or she will be looking away from you, if that makes any sense. I expect that it would really be a one-way video channel in that case.

Here’s a demo to give you an idea of what it looks like with two-way video.

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This development changes one of my earlier thoughts today. I had a guest video appearance on the TechVi show where we discussed the partnership between Google and Verizon Wireless. At that time, I said that Verizon may concede the iPhone to AT&T for good and just go with a very open approach on Android — an approach that will include Google Voice. With AT&T’s countermove, all bets are off for Verizon to use Android as a total hedge.

Regardless of future plans, I’m hoping that AT&T goes whole hog and allows streaming media service apps like Slingbox Mobile as well as VoIP. That may be asking for too much because the bandwidth for audio and video is surely more than audio alone.

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Regular readers know that I couldn’t do without Skype. The voice over IP service has been a daily staple in my routine since early 2005. Since I use it so much, I’m a perfect candidate to test out new Skype accessories like the FREETALK Everyman USB headset I have on loan. I was initially skeptical because of the headset’s low, $22.88 price tag. But as they say, the proof is in the pudding. After using the Everyman headset for Skype over the past few weeks, it’s easily worth every penny and then some. Have a quick look — and listen — to the audio quality.

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The iPod Touch is a great audio player, but so much more. The inclusion of the iPhone OS on the Touch turns the iPod into a phone without the phone bits. That means good web surfing, email and the like, all due to the inclusion of Wi-Fi.

A competing device would have to do all the things the iPod Touch can do, and just as well, but there is one area that could be exploited to make it better — VoIP. Sure the iPod Touch can do VoIP, but it requires additional accessories and Apple doesn’t promote the function. This lack of promotion for VoIP is likely due to Apple’s partnerships with phone carriers on the iPhone side. Carrier partners wouldn’t like it if Apple started pushing the iPod Touch, no carrier contract required, for making free (or cheap) VoIP calls.

If a company would make a gadget that focuses on VoIP, it could be promoted heavily as a “Skype in your pocket” device. Skype (or the equivalent) could be included on the device along with the components to exploit it. A device like this, coupled with good media playing capability, could give the iPod Touch a run for its money, I believe.

These thoughts come to you from a longer article I wrote for our subscription research site, GigaOM Pro. Check out that article for my full analysis of what such a competing device must have, and who is in a position to make one. Please feel free to comment on this idea here; I am interested in your thoughts.

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The app is web-based and all you have to do is visit s4palm.com on your Pre mobile browser. This takes you to a Skype login page, and once you’ve logged in, you can Skype away. This is not a Skype app; it is strictly run in the Pre’s browser. It uses SkypeOut minutes to make calls and supports both text and audio chats to Skype contacts.

The program is free to use for 10 days and a lifetime fee of $9.99 gets you continued usage of IM+.

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