alanwilliamson
So we are on Day#2 of the 3's SkypePhone usage. One of the nicest touches that 3 have done with the handset is the inclusion of a USB connection. Infact, it is the ONLY connection on the device.
The reason is that this serves many purposes. First and foremost you charge the device through this, using any USB cable. This for travellers will be a welcomed boom since its one less cable to carry. The Blackberry have done this for years and I can't tell you how many times I have had to borrow someone's PC/laptop during a meeting for a quick top it. Painless.
The phone ships with a set of headphones and intergrated microphone that also connects to the USB port. This actually will no doubt prove useful away from the device as it finds its way plugged into your laptop.
They recommend logging out of Skype before you go on the move with this phone. However, I have since discovered this is not a necessity. I was chatting on Skype on my desktop PC, and when I went to the 3SkypePhone, its all there for me on the handset. Nice touch, even if it is a fluke of the software!
Some small grumbles have surfaced, and ironically they are more aimed at the phone as opposed to Skype. I cannot tell what my telephone number (unless I ring someone who has CallerID turned on), and more importantly, I do not seem to have a way to determine how much credit is left on the phone. Will the handset suddenly stop working and demand money or will I get a warning. Let's find out!
You can read more about this handset here
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Article Details
- Published:
10:10 AM GMT, Tuesday, 30 October 2007 - Categories:
Technical Reviews - Tags:
skype 3skypephone skype handset mobile - Comments:
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Hi guys, I bought a 3SkypePhone yesterday, but unable to create a new Skype account or access my existing one. When trying to access my account I get a logging in message, then a synchronising message for as much as an hour, and finally the system says unable to login, check password and user name. Have phoned 3 on two occasions. Get through to an overseas call centre. Won't be able to move this forward for 48 hours! Not impressed. It looked so good. Any ideas to get this resolved would be very much appreciated. Andy
@ Jamie - The 3 Skypephone does not use data bandwidth to do the Skype thing. It uses 3's (or its roaming partner's) voice network to transport the voice into 3's network. Once there it is routed into 3's Skype gateway. The Skype client on the new handset is only a front-end to all of that, and it is a real gem of integration - very innovative client/server technology in such a tiny package.
Don't go holding your breath for WiMAX - yes it is coming, and it will be several years before it becomes as ubiquitous as 2G and 3G networks and able to take on true mobile head-to-head. Time moves on and history judges. I think that history will judge positively what 3 and Skype have done today. It is a beginning, not an end.To check your remaining credit - From the home screen you can press the right softkey labelled 'planet3'. One of the first links should be 'my3', select this and you will either see 'check credit' or 'check usage' depending on if you're PAYG or contract. All the info you require will be found within. No data charges apply in the planet3 portal.
Im really interested to see how the pricing/bandwidth structure plays out with this phone. Obviously 3 are saying 'its free its free', but it uses bandwidth, and up and till now, that meant money. How are they going to be able to keep this free forever. The only reason they can really do this anyway is because 3G coverage has improved. How long will it be until ISP put in like a 'blanket' of seemless WIFI/Wimax connectivity which is tied in to you up to your home internet account which also may be getting broadband over the airwaves i.e (£30 a month) which wipes 3's 'master plan' off the map. . . .Wimax is coming 3, and they better not forget it