DISQUS

LucaFiligheddu.com: A problem of expectations

  • Markus Göbel's Tech News Comme · 2 years ago
    Isn't the 3Skypephone using the iSkoot software? At least iSkoot's website says so.

    http://www.iskoot.com/pressreleases/prnetwork_1...

    „CAMBRIDGE, MA – October 30, 2007 – iSkoot today announced that it has been selected by Skype to help power the 3 Skypephone – the first ever mass-market Skype-enabled mobile handset. ...“

    This means that Skype calls from the 3Skypephone aren't 3G VoIP calls. They are GSM calls from the phone to the 3-iSkoot server, which then cannels them over the internet to Skype. The data connection is only used to show the presence of the Skype buddies.

    So the bad voice quality is not because of unreliable 3G coverage but because of the low sound quality of the GSM codecs. But still it`s a nifty solution to guarantee Skype coverage everywhere.

    That's also why their FAQ list (http://www.3skypephone.com/english/faq.html) says:

    Q: Will it work on 2G, 2.5G& 3G networks?
    A: Wherever you have coverage in the UK, Skype will work. If you can make a normal voice call, you will be able to make a Skype Call.
  • Luca Filigheddu · 2 years ago
    According to the iSkoot website, you are right. Then I presume there are big problems of transcoding at a gateway level, since the feedbacks I'm getting are very bad.
  • Piggy · 2 years ago
    I was soooo looking forward to gettign a 3Skypephone. Now, I'm not so sure.

    All of the '3' shops in our area were this morning telling customers that their delivery hadn't turned up. Not a good start for launch day.

    Now, hearing reports that the Skype call quality on the phones is not good - in some instances 'painful' it doesn't really look to good.

    My initial excitement at gettign hold of one of these phones is rapidly diminishing.

    Shame really. I could have been such a good thing.