Skype Mobile & Skype Access

Skype has become a mature and stable product that continues to attract both the home and small business user with many features and options. If you have an internet-ready TV, you can use Skype to conduct video calls on your TV. Skype also has video phones and an assortment of phones and gadgets to enhance the user’s experience.

Today, we’ll highlight their Skype Mobile and Skype Access services and then take a look at free and other features of Skype.

Skype Mobile

If you’re a Verizon customer and have a Blackberry or Android phone, download the mobile software and begin using Skype instead of your plan minutes. There’s not a whole lot of information on-line about this, (unless you’re able to download the software), but I’m assuming you’ll need a Skype Out number and you’ll be making your calls from that number, not your regular cell number. You’ll need Skype credit in your account to make calls—the cost is very low, around .02 cents/min. The only downside I can see to that is that you’ll need to notify people of your Skype-out number so they’ll know it’s you calling – unless you purchase Caller ID (see below).  If you’re running low on minutes, or don’t want to purchase a plan with a lot of minutes, you can switch over to using Skype to save money.

Skype for the iPhone and iTouch

The rules are usually different for the iPhone. I’m sure ATT would not allow Skype on ‘their’ iPhones – a revenue loser for them, you know. So iPhone users can download Skype from the app store and use it only at wifi hotspots.

Skype Access

This is a newer feature from Skype. Use it to connect to a public access wifi hotspot. You’ll need to be signed in with Skype on your laptop and if Skype can connect to that network, you’ll get a pop-up notification.  The cost was higher than I thought it would be – .19/minute or $11.40/hour. It could make sense to use it if you need to check for an email, or look something up on-line quickly and without having to go into some internet cafe and go through a signup process with them.

Free Skype Features

Skype to Skype calls – they say they will always be free. This would be computer to computer calls using email addresses

• Send/exchange of files and pictures while chatting with someone
• Video calls are free – of course, both parties need a camera for this feature
• IM is free to any of your contacts
• Screen sharing – yes, what a nice feature and free! Check here for instructions

Fee-Based Skype Services

• Send SMS – from .05/each
• Skypein, or on-line Skype number—cost is $60/yr. for a number you can choose (with limits). If you buy a subscription then the number is 50% off.
• Skypeout number – this is a number  you can use to call any mobile or landline at greatly reduced prices. Choose your number (within limits), but then the number won’t be activated until you purchase skype credit
• Skypein number – this is a number you choose (again, within limits), and then anyone can call you. Calls will come in to your computer or Skype phone (in the Skype store). You can configure your phone to…
• Call Forwarding – don’t miss a call with call forwarding. If you’re away from your computer, or even logged out of Skype, you can arrange the call forwarding feature to call your cell, your home or both numbers.
• Voicemail — $6 for 3 months or $20/year
• Caller ID – assign your mobile number to show up when you call other people’s phones

Skype Reliability & Security

Though Skype is widely used and highly regarded, it isn’t to be relied upon as an emergency number or an expectation of 100% uptime. It’s still VOIP and VOIP works very well and the sound quality is quite good most of the time, just not all the time.

I really couldn’t find any current reviews on Skype reliability, so please post a link if you’ve read one.

Now on to security – here are a couple of resources: Skype’s Security Blog, or their Detailed Security Section with an independent review. If you’ve wondered what happens (electronically), when you have a call, here’s the information. As anything you do on-line, take precautions because anything you do on-line could be exposed or revealed.

Other Posts You Might Like

• August 9, 2007 -- Skype and its Many Features