Skype on Iphone

All of you who are Skype fans will be disappointed. Remember we talked about using Skype on the Iphone before? Well, Skype has finally released an updated Skype app (2.0) today. The updated app will eventually allow customers to use VOIP over 3G. This would come as a relieve for many as it has been a hot topic for a long time.

With the updated app, consumers are expected to have faster access to their frontpage and better reception while using the app. Consumer will also be able to experience better audio quality.

I have to admit that the updated app logs on much faster than the 1.3 version and less drop calls with better reception this time. I can also make calls using 3G and not restricted to wifi only. This is a cause for a celebration.

However, such celebration is much rather short-lived.

I have found a caveat on the updated app stating that while the app is free to download to use, the company (Sky) will start charging customers for a small fee beginning August 2010 monthly in using the service. This comes as a surprise.

Perhaps Skype is under pressure from many mobile providers as with the ability for customers to make calls over 3G will clog up their bandwidth. For a small fee, mobile providers will be able to upgrade their systems to accomodate the potential influx of data usage after August 2010.

I have no idea why Skype is going to start charging customers for it. One thing for sure though- customers could still continue using the updated app from now until August 2010 before discontinue using it after August 2010 to save some money. Alternatively, they could use the old version of Skype (1.3) and download an app called VOIP3g within Cydia to enable them to use 3G to make calls on Skype or the best of all, use an alternative app like Fring and Nimbuzz instead of Skype!!!

Personally, i do think thatusing Fring or Nimbuzz will be so much better in comparison to Skype. You can gain access to your msn, icq, gadu-gadu, AIM, twitter and facebook with it. You can only gain access to Skype with the Skype app.