Skype Still Thinking Mobile -- for Windows

By Ed Oswald | Published January 31, 2007, 12:20 PM

Just three weeks after Skype development chief Eric Lagier said a Skype version for cell phones was a no-go, the company has signed an agreement with HelloSoft to license its VoIP software to enhance its Windows Mobile client.

Lagier's comments may sound contradictory considering the company already provides software for mobile phones with versions for either Microsoft's PocketPC or Windows Mobile operating systems, however he was likely referring to a general version that would be compatible with a larger section of cellular handset manufacturers.

Either way, the company continues to move forward with its Windows Mobile version. HelloSoft's technology would be used to enhance the product, giving those users better quality calls.

"HelloSoft products being a low-footprint design are extremely cost-effective and power-efficient," said Krishna Yarlagadda, HelloSoft's President and CEO. "We are excited to be working with Skype to enhance the performance of Skype for Windows Mobile."

The Windows Mobile and Pocket PC clients require either a Wi-Fi or 3G connection to operate. Slower 2.5G connections do not provide sufficient bandwidth to place voice calls, Skype says.

Comments

View comments by with a score of at least

I've got skype on my mobile already here in the uk with 3G on my my Nokia 6260. I thought you Yanks got everything first lol

Score: 0

|

awesome, so if they make a zune phone with windows mobile, i can get free calls with it ... thats good to know since the Iphone doesn't allow 3rd party software.

Score: 0

|

I've got skype on my mobile already here in the uk with 3G on my my Nokia N73. I thought you Yanks got everything first lol

Score: 0

|

That's what I thought :P It really didn't make sense for them to stop developing for the windows mobile. It works great and I think they can make quite a few improvements.

Score: 0

|

Google Chrome 4: Yes, it's fast, but is it usable?

As Betanews readers have responded to our stories about Chrome's JavaScript superiority...Does that mean we'd actually use this browser? Well...

Video: Netflix on PlayStation 3

Netflix has come to the PlayStation 3 via Blu-ray and BD-Live.

Verizon Wireless launches new Android, Chocolate, and ruggedized phones

The lower-priced Eris joins the Droid, while the Chocolate gets a touchscreen and more music playback.

Early sales figures for Windows 7 nicely high, but do we know why?

Fans of triple-digit surges in figures quoted by Betanews will love this one, as it appears Microsoft rediscovered how to pull off a software launch.

Myka announces its latest Linux-based 'net top box'

Myka's ION brings Boxee, XMBC, and much more to HDTVs.

What hath Mac wrought? A remembrance after a quarter-century

The reason there's a Macintosh today is not because of some brilliant flash of engineering genius, but because Apple had the audacity to learn from its mistakes.

Early build of Moblin 2.1 improves connectivity, but not device support

The Linux Foundation's Atom-centric OS yesterday received a major overhaul with the project release of Moblin 2.1 for netbooks and nettops.

The iPhone's China syndrome: Sales of 5,000 and climbing

There's actually a country where Apple's device is not a godsend, where sales can be measured in the dozens.

New European counterpart to FCC will ensure 'a more neutral net'

Late Thursday night, the ruling telecom administrators of the EU's member nations signed away their final authority to a new entity overseen by the EC.

Sophos study suggests Windows 7 UAC's default setting is self-defeating

Without any anti-virus installed, a Sophos test showed, User Account Control was only capable of thwarting just one malware package out of ten samples chosen.

Indiscreet tweet trips awareness of Web SSL vulnerability

A group of high-level security engineers had been making progress on thwarting a low-level threat to the Web, until somebody blurted it all out on Twitter.