3 ms·

Google-AT&T-Apple fight over Net calls draws FCC interest

13 points by sgrove 17y ago

sgrove 17y ago
"Android does not support a full-featured version of Skype...Google's explanation would seem to suggest that T-Mobile requested the block on Skype, but the carrier says that's not the case. And as per AT&T's comment regarding the app store, "AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store." Those damn apps, blocking and disabling themselves!
- thunk 17y ago
  Heh, seriously. Google: "We didn't do it." T-Mobile: "Well, we didn't do it." Apple: "Well, WE didn't do it." AT&T: "Well, WE didn't do it." Apps: "Goodbye, cruel world!" BANG
- ajross 17y ago
  My guess is that it's less a "ban" on Skype than a bribe. A quick search in the market found this client: http://sipdroid.org http://sipdroid.org -- a SIP client for voice calls that claims to work over 3G and EDGE. So they're not enforcing a blanket ban on VoIP software on Android. Instead, my guess is that Skype was enticed into offering only the "lite" version of the client (which according to the article works only over the existing cell call infrastructure, so you get free long distance but still pay for call minutes) by T-Mobile via being offered a cut of the profits.
  - jrockway 17y ago
    I installed sipdroid yesterday. Routing calls over 3G is disabled (+) if you get it from T-Mobile's market. (Fortunately, I already have unlimited calls over the voice network due to "myFaves" and Google Voice. I just need sipdroid for when I am in a country without reliable GSM service, like Japan. If I need to call someone, I'm sure I can find some Wifi.) (+) The option is grayed-out anyway. I went for a walk yesterday and sipdroid claimed to be registered even when I was away from Wifi. So I am not 100% sure it's actually "disabled", it just appears to be disabled. Edit: yes, it is really disabled. However, it's a simple matter of installing the version from Sipdroid's website to un-disable it. Wow, arbitrary restrictions stopped me for like 30 seconds!
nwjsmith 17y ago
Please, oh please FCC: make Google Voice available on the iPhone.
jamesbritt 17y ago
Can't someone "just" write a Skype app and offer it for download? Or is there something in Android phones that makes this impossible?

13 points by sgrove 17y ago

"Android does not support a full-featured version of Skype...Google's explanation would seem to suggest that T-Mobile requested the block on Skype, but the carrier says that's not the case. And as per AT&T's comment regarding the app store, "AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store." Those damn apps, blocking and disabling themselves!

thunk 17y ago
Heh, seriously. Google: "We didn't do it." T-Mobile: "Well, we didn't do it." Apple: "Well, WE didn't do it." AT&T: "Well, WE didn't do it." Apps: "Goodbye, cruel world!" BANG
ajross 17y ago
My guess is that it's less a "ban" on Skype than a bribe. A quick search in the market found this client: http://sipdroid.org http://sipdroid.org -- a SIP client for voice calls that claims to work over 3G and EDGE. So they're not enforcing a blanket ban on VoIP software on Android. Instead, my guess is that Skype was enticed into offering only the "lite" version of the client (which according to the article works only over the existing cell call infrastructure, so you get free long distance but still pay for call minutes) by T-Mobile via being offered a cut of the profits.
- jrockway 17y ago
  I installed sipdroid yesterday. Routing calls over 3G is disabled (+) if you get it from T-Mobile's market. (Fortunately, I already have unlimited calls over the voice network due to "myFaves" and Google Voice. I just need sipdroid for when I am in a country without reliable GSM service, like Japan. If I need to call someone, I'm sure I can find some Wifi.) (+) The option is grayed-out anyway. I went for a walk yesterday and sipdroid claimed to be registered even when I was away from Wifi. So I am not 100% sure it's actually "disabled", it just appears to be disabled. Edit: yes, it is really disabled. However, it's a simple matter of installing the version from Sipdroid's website to un-disable it. Wow, arbitrary restrictions stopped me for like 30 seconds!

nwjsmith 17y ago

Please, oh please FCC: make Google Voice available on the iPhone.

jamesbritt 17y ago

Can't someone "just" write a Skype app and offer it for download? Or is there something in Android phones that makes this impossible?