Skype for Nokia N97 soon

Nokia N97 will come preloaded with Skype, used for free and cheap phone calls over the internet. Skype can be used to make free internet-based VOIP calls to other Skype users and cheap phone calls to other landlines and mobile phones. Skype is already available for several Nokia devices and other mobile phones. But the Skype version under development is specifically for Nokia N97, Skype said. Skype is still fine-tuning the program code for the application.

Skype for Nokia N97 soon

Skype, a hugely popular internet telephone call service, is already available for BlackBerry, LG, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson mobile phones and as “lite skype version” for hundreds of others which have java capability. While the Nokia N97 has Symbian 60, many others use Windows Mobile. Skype is also building software for iPhone (which again has its own operating system) as well as mobile phones using Google’s Android platform.

For a long time, telecom service providers were wary of VOIP phone calls will erode their  call revenues. But Skype claims that those who adopted accepted Skype VOIP into their networks actually recorded an increase in their overall revenues.

Photo: Nokia N97

Skype on Nokia N97 can work over ordinary wireless cellular connections or over Wi-FI hotspots. Users will be able to make video-calls and send text (SM) messages as well. Nokia said that the first N97 with Skype with roll out in June this year. The Skype on N97 will be tightly integrated into the mobile phone, so that from a single contact list, N97 users can see their regular contacts in the phone book as well as their online Skype buddies. Nokia said that N97 owners around the world can use 3G and WLAN to easily make and receive free Skype-to-Skype voice calls, in addition to low-cost Skype calls to landlines and mobile devices.

Nokia and Skype announced their VOIP partnership at the Mobile World Congress at Barcelona in Spain. Though Skype is always available as an application for many Nokias around the world, Nokia feels that the preloaded Skype will remove an inhibitor to its use, “since it’s already there.”

The N-97 is pegged as the flagship mobile computer from Nokia, to be launched this June. The phone has a large 3.5 inch 16:9 touchscreen, besides a slide-out keypad. Nokia has introduced the concept of social location into the N-97, where your mobile keeps tracks of you and your friends through GPS satellite navigation and Nokia maps. The N 97 has 32 GB of onboard memory, which can be increased to 48 GB with an extra-memory SD card. The N97 has a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss Optics, and boasts of DVD quality video capture. The N-97 will come with the Nokia Ovi Store, from where users can purchase and download applications and avail of services.

“Making Skype available everywhere through mobile devices is essential to fulfilling our vision of ‘enabling the world’s conversations’. Collaborating closely with Nokia to preload and integrate our software onto their devices will benefit the many Nokia customers who already use Skype, as it makes Skype easily accessible and simple to use on the go. It will also bring Skype new users who love Nokia’s Symbian S60 experience,”  said Scott Durchslag, Skype’s Chief Operating Officer.

“With more than 400 million Skype users worldwide, the integration of Skype on Nokia Nseries mobile computers is a significant step in bringing converged Internet experiences from the desktop to the world’s most advanced mobile computer,” said Jose-Luis Martinez, Vice President, Nokia Nseries.

Skype for BlackBerry

Skype does not have a software for BlackBerry yet, though BlackBerry users may get an official one soon. According to reports, BlackBerry itself had developed a very efficient Skype client to make internet phone calls, but it was internally buried. A senior Skype official told reporters at Barcelona that this could be because the carriers who retail and market the BlackBerry do not want their voice revenues ‘diverted’ due to the free and cheap VOIP Skype calls. However, Skype claims that telecom operators who have accepted Skype have actually seen a rise in phone usage.

Even though many owners use Skype clients on BlackBerrys, there have been several technical glitches which, kind of, prevented their wide adoption. Some of the companies offering Skype services on the BlackBerry are IM+ for Skype, iSkoot and Webmessenger Mobile and nimbuzz.

IM+ for Skype helps you call Skype users on their pcs, see who is online and chat with Skype users, call any destination cheaper than phone calls. There is also Skype SMS. IM+ for BlackBerry also offers network independence and you can buy it with a one-time fee. Future updates are free. iSkoot for BlackBerry Skype is free. This also enables anywhere calling and chat functionalities. iSkoot also comes with one-click option to call Skype contacts.

However, reviews of those who use Skype on BlackBerrys point to two problems: One, many BlackBerrys have a processor speed which is less than the processor speed recommended for Skype usage. This consequently means slower data transfer. Second, the calls from the Skype BlackBerry are not entirely free – the Skype applications makes a call to BlackBerry in the process. Besides, SkypeOut credits get deducted for making calls.

WebMessenger Mobile for Skype mobile client is another good option for BlackBerry Skype ninjas.
WebMessenger allows you to take Skype on the road with you. You can check availability of contacts on your BlackBerry smartphone, send and receive chat messages, or even simply click on them to give them ping. There is no extra cost for using WebMessenger Mobile for Skype. The software is completely free to use on the BlackBerry. The application can be downloaded and installed on the BlackBerry over the air, or from a desktop PC. It has an easy to use interface. The software offers immediate presence detection. It work with any mobile operator, and the quality of audio is good. It supports up to 20 Skype buddies, and allows three-way Skype calling and multi-party conferencing up to 4 connections. It is to be noted that WebMessenger for Mobile Skype programs require that you install the WebMessenger Mobile for Skype Desktop Plug-in on the same machine that you are running your desktop Skype software application.