Skype 2.0 for iPhone Finally Allows 3G Calls -- But Soon, For a Price
Skype kicked off the Memorial Day weekend with a 2.0 update for their iPhone app which finally allows calling over 3G -- but there’s a catch.9to5Mac is reporting that Skype has finally released version 2.0 of their iPhone app, bringing with it the previously promised ability to make calls over a 3G connection -- previously it was only possible over Wi-Fi, unless you had a jailbroken device and used a patch to trick the app into thinking it was connected to Wi-Fi.Unfortunately, Skype 2.0 is one of those “good news, bad news†kind of scenarios, because calling over 3G will likely cost you more money come the end of the summer.When you first launch Skype 2.0 (and intermittently as you use it), a message pops up: “Skype-to-Skype calls on 3G are free until at least end of August 2010, after which there will be a small monthly fee (operator charges for data will still apply).†You then have the option of dismissing the message or clicking on for more details, but don’t go looking for how much it 3G calling will cost, because Skype isn’t saying just yet.Hey, no one is saying that Skype isn’t entitled to making money, but it does seem a bit strange to pay AT&T 30 dollars each month for 3G service and then get nickeled and dimed to make Skype-to-Skype calls on top of it. We’ll see how that business model shakes out for Skype once they announce what the “small monthly fee†is exactly.Skype 2.0 isn’t all just about 3G calling -- the app update also adds “near CD-quality sound for Skype-to-Skype calls using wideband audio (SILK codec) on iPhone 3GS and 2nd generation iPod touch†as well as enhanced call quality indicator (see in the screenshot above), improved start-up time and fast access to the dial pad from the iPhone home screen.As always, the Skype app is free and the 5.6MB 2.0 update is available for your downloading pleasure right now. Oh, and in case you were wondering: Yes, it also works on the iPad (pixel-doubled, of course), including making calls over that device’s 3G connection.
http://www.maclife.com/article/news/skype_20_iphone_finally_allows_3g_calls_soon_price
