Skype says that less than a week after it was made available, nearly 5 million people have downloaded the 3G version of its iPhone app, with the demand distributed across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. I was among them, even though I don’t have a 3G connection, and I’m pretty sure many others without 3G connections did the same. But how many people are actively using the service? Now that’s an important question, and one Reuters forgot to ask.
The company recently told me that the Skype app had been downloaded a total of 12 million times by owners of the iPhone and iPod touch (s aapl). And while it plans to charge for 3G calls between Skype users starting next year, “We’re not going to want to price ourselves out of the market,” Russ Shaw, Skype’s VP of mobile, told Reuters. “I can’t ignore the fact that consumers (currently) use us for free.”
I wonder if, between AT&T’s (s t) new data tariffs and Skype’s charges, there will really be a cost advantage to using Skype. Regardless, we can expect to see its usage climb starting next week, when Apple introduces the newest version of the iPhone with multitasking features. Many people are likely to leave Skype running in the background, especially for IM and Skype-to-Skype call purposes.
As I mentioned in my blog a jailbroken iPhone can make Skype calls over 3G with no fees through the use of an app called 3G Unrestrictor. I haven’t upgraded to the latest version yet because I fear Skype may detect 3G Restrictor and block me from using this functionality any more.
I read a comment somewhere that someone did upgrade and lost their VoIP over 3G functionality for their jailbroken iPhone. If I have some time I’ll test it to see if that’s indeed true.
For now, looks like I’ve lost the ability to click ‘Upgrade All’ apps since that’ll upgrade my Skype. What a pain to individually upgrade every app except Skype.
I should clarify. I was saying that the OLDER Skype version for the iPhone can make Skype over 3G calls when used in combo with a jailbroken iPhone and 3G Unrestrictor. It has been available for quite some time.
But I read that if I upgrade to the NEWER version, I’ll lose that capability.
Your gotta love it. I made my first Skype call from my car on an LA Freeway to my brother in Ireland..for free
Tommy
Setting the US aside, in countries where mobile operators charge hefty fees for voice… this is incredible!
does anyone know where i can get that older version. I made the mistake of upgrading skype on my jailbroken Iphone..:(