FaceTime And Especially Skype To Benefit Huge From iPad 2

iPad 2 is huge but more than that, it will be even bigger for video conferencing. Likely yo benefit is Apple's own FaceTime. And Skype is likely to have much more to gain than ever.

As a matter of fact, Skype should send Apple a Thank You gift for releasing the iPad 2 with dusk cameras.

More than just boring old video conferencing for enterprise, FaceTime an Skype will gain from the home market. Consider how easy the iPad is robust already, it's icon focused UI allows for an 1-click access to either of the two apps for the less than tech savvy people like our parents and grandparents to stay in touch with their children and grandchildren.

I predict that Skype is likely to make an announcement about a spike in new users and downloads after the iPad 2 goes on sale on March 11th.

Apple's FaceTime offers a seamless sign-in process that will be welcoming to everyone. And its video quality is second to none.

And while FaceTime might have an edge over Skype in simplicity, Skype will dominate because of the tens of millions if not hundreds of millions of users that use its services already.

Skype or FaceTime, the ideal screen size of the iPad 2 for video chat may finally usher in a big change in social interaction.

And I reckon it will be the grandparents who will lead the way.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

VW and Skype: Unlimited 3G Calling Starting Next Month!

Competition rocks! Verizon and Skype have teamed up together to allow 3G calls next month. And guess what? Unlimited. U-N-L-I-M-I-T-E-D.

How could this have happened without anyone knowing about it? What's key here is that the whole dynamics of voice and data plans have changed dramatically. Of course, we love to see the prices before making a final call but I'm sure folks at the other wireless companies are moving quickly to follow up on this and come up with an answer if they didn't already.

The new Skype mobile™ product enhances Verizon Wireless’ smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving hundreds of millions of Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.

The two companies have created an exclusive, easy-to-use Skype mobile offering for 3G smartphones. Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:

• make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on America’s most reliable wireless network;
• call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates;
• send and receive instant messages to other Skype users; and
• remain always connected with the ability to see friends’ online presence.

As you know, AT&T is allowing 3G calls to be made over their network earlier this month, shortly after Apple unveiled the iPad. Fring on the iPhone has already enabled it and Skype is sure to follow shortly though that hasn't happened yet.

The iPad will not need a voice plan so it remains to be seen if VW will do something to allow data only access. The press release offers very little information in that sense. This is for Skype-to-Skype calls as well as international calls using Skype Out.

Well know as the days and weeks go on just what VW is allowing, monthly pricing, and how others are likely to respond. We'll make the call to see if this was a bold move once all the details are on. But so far, I'm loving it.

More at Engadget, VW Press Release

Google Voice Takes Center Stage With Verizon, ATT, and Apple

Google, Verizon, ATT, and Apple.  Mark today's date as the start of a turning point in the wireless war.  At the center, whether Googled figured it to be or no when they bought GrandCentral, is Google Voice.


Short history.  FCC started looking into device exclusive deals between handset makers and wireless providers such as the iPhone deal between Apple and ATT.  Then, Apple rejected Google Voice (GV) And things soured and the FCC decided to looking into why GV was rejected and issues about net neutrality.


Here is where things turn today for all mobile warriors, the wireless providers, handset makers, and the government.  Google and Verizon Wireless (VW) announced their partnership to bring Android devices to Verizon's "open network" where even Google Voice will be supported.


Trust me.  That's significant.  Google has to believe VW will stick to its word or else Google end up looking like a hypocrite. A while back, Google fought VW to make sure that there are open access provisions in the 700Mhz auction.  VW eventually won part of the auction.  But for a while, VW and Google were not on speaking terms.


Hence, today's joint announcement between bitter rivals was significant.  A lot of press and blogger attention was dedicated to this.


Then the second part of this wireless chronicle happened.  Washington Post posted that ATT maybe opening up its network to VOIP and Google Voice around the same time Google and VW's press conference was going on.  A couple of hours later, this was all over blogosphere.   One would figure ATT would be approached about this and a "no comment" would be issued.


Folks were excited.  Then it happened.  In a press release online, ATT confirmed "it has taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T’s wireless network".  No mention of Google Voice and that is what folks are going to be wondering about.  Does this change anything between Apple and Google?


Meanwhile, Apple has indicated they will amend their developer agreements for the inclusion of VOIP apps while Skype welcomed the move.


Don't think this has anything to do with Google Voice?  GV might not be a VOIP app but the larger issue is whether we will have open wireless networks going forward.


Consider how appropriate this is, I'm watching the first two episodes of Season 9 of The X-Files titled "Nothing Important Happened Today".  The title was a reference to the diary of King George.  Before he went to bed, his entry for the day was "nothing important happened today".  That day was July 4, 1776.


Okay, maybe this isn't exactly like the declaration of independence by the American colonies but in the world of wireless, this significant all the same.

Mobile Tip: Skype-To-Go (With T-Mobile's MyFaves)

What does T-Mobile's MyFaves have anything to do with Skype you ask? A lot if you put the two together.

MyFaves is available on some of T-Mobile's services that allows subscribers to enter up to five numbers in the US that they can call day and night for as long as they want without using up minutes in their plan. Cool eh? No so if you're Miami Heat's Wade.

So five numbers. All you can eat. Or talk in this case. How do you extend that? You merge it with Skype. Skype is offering a $2.95 a month that allows unlimited calls to the United States and Canada. In addition, you also get a voicemail for your Skype ID. But you're saying "hey, but I'm tethered to a PC or laptop. Nothing new here".

Not impressed. Here's the game changer: Skype To Go.

As a part of your Skype subscription, you are assigned a special telephone number. You can pick one that's local to you. From there, you can call anyone and the call goes through via Skype. You are only charged the minutes of your mobile service. The skype call is free.

No longer tethered to a desk. But here's with T-Mobile's MyFaves come in (I think you're getting this right about now). You add your Skype access number as one of your MyFaves number.

Now, you've got Mom, Grandma, hottie number one, hottie number two, and Skype number. Five numbers.

More than that, it makes the number of people you can call for free from five to virtually unlimited.

I had to call some folks overseas yesterday and I was running out of Skype credits. So, I finally decided to give Skype's unlimited international call plan a try. I signed up for the cheaper 3-month plan (I think I saved $3 over the month-to-month plan of USD 9.95). I added my Skype-To-G0 number to MyFaves and I did the same for my mom (we have a family plan with T-Mobile).

Yesterday, we made about three hours of mostly international calls. I got charged zero dollars and cents.

We're currently testing this out with our work phones. Especially for businesses that accrue thousands of dollars a month like ours (we make tons of international calls), $9.95 a month for one line is a bargain. We might end up getting two or three Skype lines to see how it works out.

We'll be back in a week and month on this subject to update you on how it goes.

Note: Only one person can make a call at once via Skype. So, if my mom is using the Skype-to-go number or the Skype program (available for multiple OSes), I won't be able to use it.

Another Note: I can't wait until Truphone or real Skype becomes available on the G1 and iPhone. I can seriously do a lot of damage here.

Last note: Even if have wireless subscription other than MyFaves or T-Mobile, being able to call Mexico unlimited ($5.95 a month) or internationally ($9.95 a month) and save tens, hundreds, or thousands of dollars is worth it. I think assigning a local landline works as well.

Mobility: MeBeam (Second Night)

Yesterday, we spoke a bit about video chats.  Video conferencing sounds so professional and we mobile warriors are like mavericks (you'll only see his word used once.  Now.  that's it), than corporate types.

So, video chats.  We tried mebeam last night again.  This time, we've got a couple of more folks.  Again, what it is is a Flash based video chat with up to sixteen feeds per room.  This is how easy it it.

• No 3rd party software to install.  Runs off Flash (unless you consider that to be it).
• Almost any webcam (set to USB video - at least on the MacWind)
• Browser-based (again, no 3rd party software) - IE, Firefox, Safari
• Does have voice but we didn't like it much.

I'm going to try it at Starbucks today if I get a chance.  This is what I'm getting at. If you need this blog long enough, you know what I mean.  It works anywhere with an Internet connection.  

And I advocate its use as much as possible and I want every mobile warrior to add this to their arsenal as part of his or her 21st Century skillz.  

If we try it again tonight and you're interested, you can join us.  I'll post the room tonight or this weekend.

Note:  We used Skype for voice because MeBeam's implementation just isn't quite there yet.

Another note:  Any other services you like or recommend, let me know.  Any suggestions for video chats, let me know as well and we'll share it with everyone.

Mobility: Using MeBeam

In continue the previous post about video chats, I found chatting using oovoo's function to be buggy and limiting.  We finally got it to work but there is a lot of improvement they still need to make.

Anyway, this was on the MacWind.  We also tried iChat but not everyone has a Mac so we decided on another solution.

MeBeam.

It's a video chat app that using a browser and Flash.  I know a mobile warrior who doesn't like Flash so this isn't for everyone.  But guess what?  I love it!

I had up to 4 mobile warriors including myself and one other individual all the way in Asia.  Supposedly, my video was not as good as others because of my lame upload speed.  I'll try to rectify that when I get a chance to call my ISP for an upgrade.

Anyway, you can have up to 16 simultaneous windows and video feeds.  With four feeds, it worked well.  I don't know about 16.  Anyone with that experience?  Love to know what it's like.

Sound was okay so we abandoned it and went with Skype for voice.  I'm sure we'll try it again tonight if not soon.  If anyone wants to join us, I'll post the room and we can chat away.

I'm tell you, my fellow mobile warriors, video chat is a habit we need to develop.  21st Century skill, my friends.

Skype To FCC on "Open"

Skype answers wireless providers who believe too much choices resulting from an open network is bad for consumers.  In Skype's letter to the FCC, the VOIP raised concerns regarding networks' claim of dominion over users in a feign effort to protect consumers from having to choose.

First I have to disclose that I'm a Skype customer and I love their services.  Now, I side with Skype on this.  The wireless providers are fighting against the tide in all this.  Why is Skype caught up in all this?

Wireless providers usually have another source of revenue.  Voice plans.  And in providing wireless Internet access, VOIP applications may endanger voice revenues.  It is not about too much choices here.  It's is about protecting their turf.

For example, I use Fring on the iPhone but only on Wi-Fi networks, not the 3G network.  Clearly, this limitation was placed on iPhone users by ATT.  Apple could care less.  Take another example.  T-Mobile has an agreement with Google to limit VOIP on the G1.  As excited about it as I am getting the Android phone, I think that's a huge slap in the face for all users.  We'll know in 12 days the extent of this limitation. But from the initial information we got from the G1 press event, T-Mobile may not even allow VOIP to be installed on the G1.

Back to these wireless guys.  They have totally parse the discussion and, in my mind, have had some success in redefining what "open" mean for mobile users.  Skype should not be the only one fight this issue.  I am surprise no one seems to be doing much about it.

Google has done a lot in getting the FCC to make segments of the 700Mhz open but Verizon is already trying to change what that means.  People want choices.  A couple of months ago Verizon CEO asked the audience at the same CTIA event Skype talked about in their letter to the FCC if they wanted an open network, he was met with a resounding affirmation and applause, something that seemingly caught him by surprise.  Of course, he eventually recovered and told the audience that they don't want that.  Talk about being out of touch, eh?

Why are they being like this?  $14 Billion of non-voice revenues that they are trying to protect.  That's why.

Source:  RCR Wireless

Note:  The full letter from Skype to the FCC is here at Fierce Wireless.  From the letter:

• Applications are blocked even on the most recently-announced advanced handsets.
  
• Skype's application is forbidden, blocked and otherwise interfered with by the largest CTIA members.
  
• When a Skype user can legally call the Chairman of the FCC on the mobile broadband networks of each of the top three wireless networks, we will know that their conduct is consistent with the consumer empowerment principles of the Internet Policy Statement.
  
• CTIA is currently suing the Commission to overturn the very openness rule they now claim to embrace.
  
• Quoted Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer.  "Consumers aren't getting all they want when companies are very proprietary and lock their products down...I would like to write some more powerful apps than what you're allowed."

Related Onxo posts:

• G1 and T-Mobile terms
• T-Mobile less evil by revoking 1GB limitation on 3G.  Still reserves right to be more evil in the future.
• Mobile providers wants to continue "stewardship".
• Clearwire talks about Wimax 
• XOHM restrictions; now, I'm not as excited about WiMax.
• Sprint welcomes WiMax customers by being evil.