You're Up Skype, Apple Drops 3G Restrictions
Skype recently released version 1.3 of its dedicated iPhone application. The update came with a few nice improvements, like for example hints and tips – which should be of tremendous help to new Skype users for example. Or for example the fact that Skype for iPhone 1.3 fixed a problem that caused calls to be dropped when returning from hold.
The downside was that Skype for iPhone 1.3 came with no push notification and no option to call over 3G. The push notification part is Skype’s fault. As Skype’s Peter Parkes said, push notification will be rolled out “when the experience has been perfected.” But the call over 3G part, said Parkes is Apple’s fault.
“As soon as Apple removes its current restrictions on calling over 3G, we’ll make a 3G-capable app available. We’ve got one up our sleeves ready for that moment, but for now, we’re being forced to wait,” said Peter Parkes.
Well, Apple has updated its SDK and the big news is that it allows VoIP calls over 3G. “Apple Computer, Inc. has updated the iPhone developer SDK to allow VoIP over cellular networks,” announced PR Newswire the other day. PR Newswire also announced that the first app to take advantage of the new functionality is iCall.
“iCall is the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod Touch over cellular 3G networks. iCall is a market leader in desktop and mobile-based desktop calling platforms, including its highly popular version for the Apple iPhone. Until today, restrictions imposed on developers prohibited VoIP functionality on any 3G network,” said PR Newswire.
Getting back to Skype, I think this is about time they release the app they’ve got up their sleeves - the one mentioned by Parkes. Calling over 3G is a feature that users will more than welcome.
The downside was that Skype for iPhone 1.3 came with no push notification and no option to call over 3G. The push notification part is Skype’s fault. As Skype’s Peter Parkes said, push notification will be rolled out “when the experience has been perfected.” But the call over 3G part, said Parkes is Apple’s fault.
“As soon as Apple removes its current restrictions on calling over 3G, we’ll make a 3G-capable app available. We’ve got one up our sleeves ready for that moment, but for now, we’re being forced to wait,” said Peter Parkes.
Well, Apple has updated its SDK and the big news is that it allows VoIP calls over 3G. “Apple Computer, Inc. has updated the iPhone developer SDK to allow VoIP over cellular networks,” announced PR Newswire the other day. PR Newswire also announced that the first app to take advantage of the new functionality is iCall.
“iCall is the first and only VoIP application that functions on the iPhone and iPod Touch over cellular 3G networks. iCall is a market leader in desktop and mobile-based desktop calling platforms, including its highly popular version for the Apple iPhone. Until today, restrictions imposed on developers prohibited VoIP functionality on any 3G network,” said PR Newswire.
Getting back to Skype, I think this is about time they release the app they’ve got up their sleeves - the one mentioned by Parkes. Calling over 3G is a feature that users will more than welcome.
