Comments on: Can a Portable Skype Device Succeed in the Market?

By: Nameless

Nameless — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:54:26 +0000

I think that there already is a potential VoIP device on the market already.

There was the Nokia N810 WiMAX, but that was discontinued.

We have the Samsung Mondi now, though. Install the Skype 3.0 beta on it, and you’re good to go.

However, this all hinges on WiMAX and Wi-Fi coverage. I’d really like to see WiMAX expand to the point where we can comfortably dump the legacy voice-only cellular infrastructure (voice is just another form of data, after all), but that’s several years away, and the standard that may do that could very well not be WiMAX.

And while I can technically use my HP iPAQ hx4700 for this already, it means Windows Mobile 5 or later, which it can’t run without those irritating slowdowns every now and then.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:10:42 +0000

Carriers do not like VoIP, cheap (non-carrier) phone calls, lack of roaming, etc.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:57:07 +0000

Why would the carriers then be concerned?

By: dirky

dirky — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:13:53 +0000

I hate to spoil the surprise, but all the stuff you need to do this is already out and handy. What you do is combine a few technologies together and you can replace your pricey cell phone plan with a (equally pricey) data plan- use it to run skype 24/7 with its (really cheap) subscription, and you’ve got yourself 3G bluetooth tethered to your laptop, VoIP on your PDA, and wireless Video Chat on it too. These three elements are:

-Touch screen PDA w/ front facing camera (ie-HTCTouchPro)
-USB data plan
-Linux PDA OS (ie- Google Android)

Well that’s my plan at least. I haven’t tried it yet, but it should work…

By: jahan khan rashid

jahan khan rashid — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:16:54 +0000

i dont think a wifi only device would suceed, anyway weve been enjoying unlimited free skype on the 3uk network for several months now, personally ive been enjoying the experience on the touch diamond 2 and my vaiop, just about anywhere! 3 could really nail it in the uk with there free skype forever plan.

By: cr0ft

cr0ft — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:06:52 +0000

Interesting idea… but in the end it doesn’t make sense. These days, devices are moving more towards 24/7 connectivity transparently, no fiddling with wifi on/off finding hotspots etc.

I’m sure there are some people who would like a full-blown Voip device but specialized devices that require expressly finding a speedy enough connection just don’t strike me as reliable enough… and nothing makes you as prone to give something up than not being able to rely on it, all the time, every time.

By: Pierre

Pierre — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:49:14 +0000

I don’t see how a Skype device that could only support WiFi could ever compete against current cell phones. Voice support is ubiquitous, and having a service what can only be supported in small hot spots just wouldn’t be something I would bank on. Even if the cost is significantly lower, voice minutes on cell networks have become cheaper, so sacrificing the nobility for that small price drop…. I just can’t see it.

A Skype device that works over the cell network is something else. It could succeed, but then it’s not only about the device supporting VoIP, it’s mostly about the network being able to support the required QoS for a VoIP call. The mechanisms to support that exist with HSPA, but not many manufacturers built it (no demand) and certainly not many operators have deployed it. Without deploying those QoS handling mechanisms, the quality of a VoIP call will always remain sub-par to downright poor.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:25:52 +0000

Agreed. The iPod is the major player to compete with, though.

By: Jeff B

Jeff B — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:24:32 +0000

Well I think that most people would like the Full skype experience and for this the Nokia N810 comes in handy, but is way too pricey to compete with anything on the market. The Viliv S5 is a good option, but is a little too large for portability. And the Skype phones out there are very simple in relation to the iPod touch or even the Mylo. And all these Skype phones usually have Skype and nothing else loaded onto it and they barely work. I would love to see a well priced iPod touch or similar device with 3G on it. That would be first on my holiday list.

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:23:35 +0000

Just a point of note. From an audio quality point of view, the iPod Touch is an OK audio player. I would not use the term “great” to describe its sound, especially in comparison with many other portable music players, Apple or otherwise.

–Ken