Android and Me » skype

Vonage Mobile takes a swing at Skype; 30% cheaper and better experience

Edgar Cervantes — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:44:01 +0000

Skype and Vonage were strong competitors some years ago, before the smartphone boom. And while Skype did take a while to get things sorted out, they managed to become one of the most popular mobile VoIP services quickly. This is not stopping Vonage from making a glorious return, though. Vonage has just released its new mobile app for Android (and iOS), boasting better prices and a more intuitive experience.

Vonage has already been active in the Android ecosystem, only with an extension to its home telephone services. It was only meant for subscribers, and other consumers had no use for it. With this new app, we can all take advantage of it.

Users rely on VoIP services for two main reasons – prices and lack of signal (depending on your area). Vonage is targeting both issues by making this app available via WiFi, 3G and 4G, as well as being good to your wallet.

Vonage is emphasizing its competition against Skype Mboile. While vonage lacks video call functionality, it is very competitive in voice and text services. Vonage is claiming that its per-minute voice prices are 30% cheaper (for the 50 most called countries) than Microsoft’s VoIP service, and 70% less than traditional mobile carriers.

It might be important to note that Vonage is offering free calls to numbers in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, for a “limited time”. But this is only for non-commercial calling, and as expected, you are limited to 3,000 minutes per month. Regardless, it is still a very generous amount and a great way to lure customers. Not to mention that you can make calls from anywhere in the world.

Vonage is also very proud of its more intuitive user interface. The app works directly with your contacts, recognizing anyone that is currently using the app. If some of your contacts are not Vonage users yet, it is very simple to invite them, or simply make the call using your Vonage credit.

It is also simpler to purchase such credit. The app uses in-app billing to allow customers to purchase credit directly from their Android Market (or Apple App Store) account – a process much simpler than what you’ll find with the competition. You do not need to visit the website to purchase credit, and if you worry about privacy, you also don’t need to give them your credit card information.

For a company that we haven’t heard from in a while, Vonage is sure making a strong entrance. Even if you are not much of an international caller, Vonage would help you save some minutes and texts from your plan. And until further notice, you can even call regular numbers in the US.

Check out the video and press release for more details. If you give it a try, let us know if it’s worth what it seems. How many of you could take advantage of these services, and why?

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Vonage Mobile® Vonage PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Show Press Release

Vonage Launches New Mobile App Providing Free Calling and Texting to Other App Users around the World

Savings of more than 70 percent on international calls to those without the app

HOLMDEL, N.J., February 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG) announced the launch of Vonage Mobile®, the new iPhone® and Android™ app that lets users make free high-definition calls and send free texts to all users of the app, worldwide1. The app works over Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G wireless data networks.

When calling those who have not yet downloaded the app, Vonage Mobile provides ultra low-cost international calling with per-minute rates that are on average 70 percent less than major mobile carriers and 30 percent less than Skype™2. Users can instantly add calling credit directly from the app through iTunes® or Android Market™ in increments of $4.99 and $9.99.

Vonage Mobile uses the phone’s existing mobile number and contact list, eliminating the need for unique user names and duplicate identities for contacts. Users can instantly build a free global calling and texting network using the app’s multi-invite system from their existing contacts.

“Vonage Mobile consolidates the best features of our prior applications, while adding important functionality, better value and improved ease of use,” said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage. “It combines the best of free high-def voice and messaging along with incredible value for traditional international calls, all while using the existing mobile number and address book for unsurpassed ease of use.”

In addition, calls to any phone in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico from anywhere in the world will be free for a limited time3.

Users do NOT need to be a Vonage customer to use the app. However, as an added benefit to all app users, calls to Vonage home or business lines are also free. The Vonage Mobile app can be downloaded to any iPhone or Android device for free; and it also works on the iPad®, iPod Touch® and Android™ Tablets.

For more information on Vonage Mobile, please go to iTunes, Android Market or www.vonagemobile.com.

# # #
1 Data rates may apply.

2 Based on per-minute rates to the top 50 countries called. Comparison reflects published rates of leading mobile carriers in markets representing the majority of iPhone and Android users.

3 Limited time free calling offer to the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico is for personal, non-commercial calling and excludes calls to certain geographic locations, premium and special services numbers, satellite telephony services and other call forwarding services. Not to exceed 3000 minutes per month.

iPhone and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Skype adds video calling capability to 17 new devices

Anthony Domanico — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:07:29 +0000

By now, you should all know about Skype, the immensely popular video-chatting service that allows users to have video conversations over the PC. Though anyone with a PC and an internet connection can use Skype to it’s fullest potential, Skype’s Android application has only allowed video calling for a grand total of 4 Android devices. (Nexus S, SE Xperia Neo, SE Xperia Pro, HTC Desire S).

That’s all changing today. Skype has added support for a whopping 17 additional devices. The additional devices supported in today’s release are:

Acer A5
HTC Desire
HTC Desire HD
HTC Evo 3D
HTC Evo 4G
HTC Flyer
HTC Incredible S
HTC Sensation
HTC Thunderbolt
LG Revolution
Samsung Droid Charge
Samsung Galaxy S
Samsung GalaxyS II
Samsung Galaxy Tab
Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY
Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray

Skype’s video chat services are now being supported on 21 Android devices–benefit for current Skype users. It also provides an alternative to the current crop of video chat services such as Qik, Google Talk and Tango.

This is an interesting move, given the fact that Microsoft now owns Skype. And even though it’s not clear what they’ll do with it at this point, it’s obvious they’ll turn Skype’s focus towards other Microsoft products like Windows Phone. Eventually, Skype could very well become the default video calling app for Windows Phone. Whether or not that will affect the Android and iOS version of the product is yet to be seen. We hope we’ll continue to see a multi-platform approach to Skype.

What say you, readers? Are you planning to use Skype now that it’s supported on your device? Sticking with another video chat service? Don’t really care to use video chat at all? Sound off in the comments.

Skype - free IM & video calls Skype PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Skype 2.0 lands on the Market with new interface, two-way video calling support

Alberto Vildosola — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:25:07 +0000

A little bit late to the party, Skype has finally added video calling support to its Android app. The company released version 2.0 of Skype to the Android Market this morning, featuring a brand new interface and SMS messaging support as well.

Now for the bad news. Skype’s video calling feature will only work on the following phones:

Google Nexus S
HTC’s Desire S
Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro

To be able to use video calling, you’ll need an Android device with “Android Version 2.3 and above with a front-facing camera.” If your phone doesn’t meet these requirements, hang in there. Skype plans to add support for more phones in the near future.

It wasn’t long ago that Skype was the de facto video chatting application. Their desktop application was pretty good most the time, and their cheap calling plans didn’t hurt either. Today, Skype seems to be having a hard time bringing that success to other platforms. One of those platforms is the web, where many companies are already building high-quality, multi-person video calling web apps. But Skype doesn’t even have a web app yet.

The other platform where Skype has missed the boat is mobile. We’re glad Skype is finally bringing video calling to Android, but the Android Market is already packed with video calling apps. Sometimes these are even better than Skype’s offering. Tango, for example, doesn’t require you to have Gingerbread or even a front-facing camera. Or fring, which lets you video chat with up to three people. In the two most important battlefields of the future, Skype is not even ready to fight yet.

But I could be wrong. How many of you still use Skype on your desktop PCs and phones on a regular basis? Prove me wrong in the comments.

Skype - free IM & video calls Skype PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Show Press Release

Skype brings Video Calling to Android Phones

LUXEMBOURG–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Skype today announced an updated version of its Skype for Android app – Skype for Android 2.0, bringing Skype Video Calling to the currently fastest growing mobile OS1.

“We are committed to bring Skype Video Calling to as many platforms as possible and are delighted to deliver on this with our new updated Skype for Android app”

With the new version, users will be able to make and receive free2 1-to-1 video calls over Skype between their Android phone and other Skype contacts on the iPhone, Mac, Windows PCs and even TVs3. Skype for Android with video works over Wi-Fi or 3G data connections and can be downloaded for free from the Android Market or Skype.com/m using any phone browser.

“We are committed to bring Skype Video Calling to as many platforms as possible and are delighted to deliver on this with our new updated Skype for Android app,” said Neil Stevens, Skype’s vice president and general manager for product and marketing. “With approximately 30 million concurrent users logging into Skype at any given time4 and making up to half a million simultaneous video calls5, Skype for Android with video makes it even easier for users to share moments with their contacts wherever they are.”

In addition to video calls, users can also make calls to landlines and mobiles around the world, as well as send SMS’s to friends and family anywhere in the world at great Skype rates. All this comes with a complete redesign of the Skype for Android user interface. There’s a new main menu on the Skype app for Android where users can navigate easily through their contacts, access their Skype profile to change personal details or see the balance of their Skype Credit. Finally a new mood message box at the top of the Skype app menu makes it easier than ever for users to share how they are feeling, what they’ve seen, or what they’re up to.

For this first phase of launch, handsets that support video calling include the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S.

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ooVoo, multi-party cross-platform HD video chat

Clark Wimberly — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:46:58 +0000

At Uplinq, while walking the floor of the Mobile Innovations Showcase we ran across the team from ooVoo giving live demos of their multi-party video chat capabilities (and doing so over LTE in a crowded conference hall, I might add). Not only did the app perform admirably on a mobile handset (we tested on a Samsung Droid Charge), but ooVoo also had a full desktop application on display, ala Skype. Combined with the fact that they just launched on iOS, it appears we might be looking at the new king of mobile video chat (or at least a prince).

Check the video below to hear the presentations direct from the show floor:

Currently ooVoo offers the ability to connect up to 6 users in a single chat session (though only 3 for free, check the pricing) and are planning to up that number to 12 soon. They’ve also just signed on Snoop Dogg as their celebrity spokesperson, which means nothing to the video chat really, except that they’ve got a hilariously awesome marketing department.

While ooVoo seems to be quickly picking up steam, the app is still only available to certain handsets. At the time of writing, the Market page lists official support for the following devices: HTC EVO 3G & 4G, Samsung Epic, Samsung Galaxy S GT-i9000, Samsung Galaxy Tab 3.0, T-Mobile MyTouch 4G, Dell Streak 5, Nexus S and the Galaxy S 4G. ooVoo launched first on Android and claims that Android is the flagship platform. They say they’ve got expanded tablet support coming soon.

ooVoo Video Call ooVoo PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

The ooVoo guys asked if I use video chat for business much and I had to admit that I don’t, so I wanted to ask for some reader input. How many of you are video chatting on a regular basis? It’s an often talked about feature but I don’t really know anyone that uses it that much. If you are a heavy user, what is your app of choice?

Microsoft buys Skype, here are 4 alternatives just in case

Alberto Vildosola — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:00:18 +0000

Completely out of left field, Skype announced this morning that it has been acquired by Microsoft for a cool $8.5 billion in cash. Talk about timing, neither company seems to know about a certain huge developer conference that’s about to start in few minutes.

What does this acquisition mean for all you Skype users? Probably nothing in the near future, but who knows what Microsoft plans to do with Skype a year from now. So, why wait a year to switch from Microsoft Windows Live Video Chat Ultimate, when you can do it right now. Here are 4 good alternatives to Skype:

Tango

If video-chat is what you want and nothing else, Tango is the perfect fit for you. The app is as simple as it gets, with just a list of your Tango-using contacts and the ability to invite more friends. The video quality is very good and the app is quite responsive, even on low-end phones. Bonus: The app works even if your phone doesn’t have a front-facing camera.

fring

On the other side of the spectrum, fring has every single feature you would ever want from a video-calling application. From group video-calling to regular phone calling, fring has it all. If you currently use Skype for calling regular phones, the service has calling rates similar to Skype. The app also uses fring’s video calling DVQ™ technology (Dynamic Video Quality), that changes video quality depending on your connection.

Qik

Qik has been available for some Android phones for quite some time, but just recently the app found its way to the Market for all Android users to download. The service has all the basic features a good video-calling app requires, but Qik adds some unique ones that others lack. Like being able to receive and send video mail when either you or your friend is not available for video-chat. The app also allows you to record video and share the live feed with the world, because deep in your heart you know everybody is dying to see your cat lick itself.

ooVoo

Finally, ooVoo kind of takes something from all the others I mentioned. It’s very simple to use like Tango, but it also has group video-calling like fring. Like Skype, the service also has a desktop client for those times when you’d rather use your computer and not your phone. The Android app has one downside though, is only supported on certain devices. Check the ooVoo Market page to see if your phone is supported.

Bonus: Google Talk

Even though Google Talk with Video Chat in only available for Android phones running version 2.3.4, that also have a front-facing camera (read: just the Nexus S), the app should hit other Android phones over time. By the time you feel like switching away from Skype, your phone might already have Google Talk with Video. The app has one advantage over all the others, you already use it on a daily basis if you’re a Gmail user — which if you like Android means you probably are.

With this many good alternatives to Skype, which one will you go with? Or will you stay with Skype for the time being? Let us know in the comments.

Tango Video Calls Tango PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

fring fringland PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Qik Video Skype Software SARL PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

ooVoo Video Call ooVoo PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Skype fixes security gaps, and by the way, gives us 3G calling!

Edgar Cervantes — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:53:50 +0000

Skype - free IM & video calls Skype PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

With the discovery of a vulnerable spot in their Android app, which left much of users’ private information unsecured, Skype surely disappointed its loyal customers last week. Upon finding that their application for Android was putting people in danger, Skype informed everyone that they would be fixing the problem soon, and sure enough, there is an update available this morning. The update not only fixes the security bridge though, Skype has decided to give us an unexpected surprise!

Do you remember the days when Skype was only available through Verizon? We were all begging Skype to give us an official app for Android, which would allow us to make VOIP calls over WiFi, without the need to go through a 3G network, or Verizon for that matter. We are all happy with Skype now, being able to fully benefit from what it has to offer, only over WiFi though. Before this morning, using Skype over 3G (officially) was still only available through Verizon’s Skype Mobile application, and with this new update, that limitation has vanished. Yes, Skype for Android is now able to make calls over a 3G network, any 3G network, in fact (even in the U.S.). These news should have Verizon a little upset though, because it seems like their Skype Mobile app is now completely unnecessary.

What’s in this version:
1. Security update
2. Calling over your 3G connection is available worldwide – now including the US.Skypemarket update

Well, if Skype had some of its users upset about the security issues, this is a great way to regain their satisfaction!To be able to enjoy some 3G Skype calling, head over to the Market and get your new and improved Skype version! Also, don’t forget to give us your opinions. Are you excited about this update? Satisfied? Is 3G-calling even a big deal to you?

Warning: Skype vulnerability leaves your private information out in the open

Alberto Vildosola — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:30:44 +0000

The guys at AndroidPolice have come across a quite serious vulnerability in the Skype for Android app. The hack allows any other application to access a whole lot of personal information like “account balance, full name, date of birth, city/state/country, home phone, office phone, cell phone, email addresses, your webpage, your bio, and more.” That’s a lot! Apparently, Skype forgot to add encryption to the databases that store all this data. Really, Skype, really?

Justin from AndroidPolice went ahead and built an app that shows how the vulnerability is exploited. You can download the app here if you want to understand how the Skype app gives out your info like it’s free candy. Skype already responded saying that it’s investigating the issue. You can probably expect the company to push an update tomorrow. Here’s a video on how the hack is achieved. Meanwhile, stay away from downloading shady apps — at least until Skype fixes this.

Download Skype with Video for the HTC Thunderbolt

Alberto Vildosola — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:39:02 +0000

HTC Thunderbolt users, is your lucky day. Following news that you’re getting Gingerbread soon, we now bring you Skype with Video chat. For those not in the know, the Thunderbolt was supposed to launch with Skype with Video, but the app was yanked at the last minute. None of that matters now, Skype with Video is here for all to enjoy — except for everybody else not using a Thunderbolt of course. I’m still not sure why companies like Skype and Qik launch their apps with video-calling support for just a few phones (deals with carriers?). It’s just one of those extremely annoying ‘fragmentation” things we have to deal with Android. At least until Google lays down the law and releases Google Talk with Video for everybody. Meanwhile, we’ll have to make do with Tango.

Skype announces their acquisition of Qik, may soon offer their own video calling service for Android

Nick Gray — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:39:44 +0000

CES is always filled with surprises, but we were certainly not expecting Skype to announce their acquisition of Qik. As you know, Qik got started as a small start-up which allowed users to simultaneously record and stream video from their mobile handsets. With the release of the Sprint HTC EVO 4G, Qik added real-time video calling to their portfolio.

While their video calling solution for Android hasn’t always been reliable, Qik has gotten a lot of attention in the media since they have partnered directly with manufacturers and service providers for the launch of a few high profile handsets. In the meantime, Skype has been sitting in the background, simply watching as other start-ups offer their own video calling solution.

At CES, NVIDIA and Motorola have revealed that Skype will finally be offering their own video calling solution for the Android platform, so their acquisition of Qik most likely has nothing to do with Qik’s video calling technologies. Skype will most likely use Qik’s video recording, encrypting, and storage solution to expand and enhance their current video calling services.

Show Press Release

Skype today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Qik, a provider of mobile video software and services that enable individuals to capture, instantly share and preserve great moments on video from anywhere. Qik has 60 employees, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California and has an office in Moscow, Russia. The transaction is expected to close in January 2011. Terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.

“Qik has worked very hard to solve complex problems that allow millions of people everyday to take advantage of sharing their lives with those people who are most important to them”

Qik was founded in 2006 and offers innovative and flexible solutions to capture and share video with anyone across mobile devices, the web, and desktop platforms. Videos can be shared in real time or stored so moments can be viewed later, allowing for video messaging, sharing and archiving. The Qik service is available on over 200 mobile phones across the Android, iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms, and comes pre-loaded on a wide variety of mobile handsets through partnerships with leading handset manufacturers and carriers.

Both Skype and Qik have a common purpose of enriching communications and sharing with video, across any device. The acquisition of Qik helps accelerate Skype’s leadership in video by adding recording, sharing and storing capabilities to Skype’s product portfolio. Through this acquisition, Skype will also be able to leverage the engineering expertise that is behind Qik’s Smart Streaming™ technology, which optimizes video transmission over wireless networks.

“The Qik team has delivered exceptional video experiences for its mobile partners and millions of end users across a range of devices,” said Tony Bates, Skype’s Chief Executive Officer. “Skype’s software enables an estimated 25 percent of the world’s international long distance voice calling minutes1, and approximately 40 percent of those Skype-to-Skype calls are happening over video. Qik’s deep engineering capabilities and strong mobile relationships will be an impressive complementary fit with Skype.”

Together, Skype and Qik will focus on providing a richer, more integrated experience that will allow people globally to share experiences in real-time video across different platforms, as well as, store those moments so they can be viewed anytime later.

“Qik has worked very hard to solve complex problems that allow millions of people everyday to take advantage of sharing their lives with those people who are most important to them,” said Vijay Tella, Chief Executive Officer of Qik. “Joining Skype allows Qik’s team to unite with Skype’s talented team to develop new and innovative products for our customers and partners.”

Skype comes to all Android 2.x phones, lacks 3G calling in U.S.

Taylor Wimberly — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:07:00 +0000

Many Android fans in the U.S. have been waiting for Skype since it was a Verizon exclusive, but today it was announced that all phones running Android OS 2.1 or later can grap the app from the Market.

Before you get too excited, be warned that the app comes with some limitations. Most notabe is that in the US, Skype for Android only works over a WiFi connection. Users in other countries can makes calls over a mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G), so it appears the U.S. carriers stepped in to block this feature.

If you browse the comments left in the Android Market, you will also see that most people are having problems with the latest version of Skype. Users are experiencing issues signing in and it does not appear that Skype works on Samsung’s Galaxy S phones. It should also be noted that Skype for Android still does not support video calling (a feature we got from Fring awhile ag0).

Download Skype and let us know what you think. Is this app worth it without the WiFi calling feature? How do you think it compares with Fring?

Skype for Android enables users to:

Make free Skype-to-Skype calls over WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G) to other Skype users anywhere in the world using Skype’s SILK codec for CD-like audio quality.
Make low rate Skype calls to landline or mobile phones
Send and receive instant messages to one or a group of friends on Skype
Synchronize contacts between Skype and the native address book and after synchronization place Skype calls directly from the native address book.
See when Skype contacts are online and available to call or chat
Easily import names and numbers to the Skype application from the native address book
Receive calls on their Skype online number