Mobile Review: Skype: VoIP in the palm

The best, of course, come ...

From the children's song
After a series of articles from the workshop on setting up Wi-Fi we have received lots of responses. In particular, we have been asked to continue the theme of communication possibilities handheld computers and communicators story about the popular freeware program for voice communication over the Internet - Skype, but if you take a deeper, its KPK-incarnation. In general, we continue. For those who for whatever reason has not in the subject, let us explain: Skype - it's free software for calls worldwide via the World Wide Web. All that is needed now, or handheld computer users to establish a reliable high quality communication even in the most remote corners of the globe - a couple of personal or handheld computers connected to the internet and this is the Skype.

What is Skype? ..

The slogan of the founders of Skype, I think, needs no translation: "The whole world can talk free". Freedom and access to communications, indeed, did their job. Mir spoke freely and for free:) If we turn to a brief history of this program, you can see that from the moment of its birth was just two years, during which the number of downloads of Skype surpassed difficult imaginable figure. Skype downloaded about 160 million users! Unprecedented success for a modest Luxembourg company, founded by two immigrants from Sweden. So today, for example, in the U.S., about 35.8% of all calls made using Internet telephony (VoIP), accounted for Skype. But this is only the beginning. Drawing attention to such a tidbit that does not belong to this day to any telecommunications giant, a few days ago the company became known Internet auction site eBay. More is coming. In Russia, "Skype-communication" is not very common. So that everything is in front. But to return, in fact, to softiny:) As mentioned above, Skype - a tool for communication between people who have at their disposal computers connected to the Internet, so that "skayperom" can be almost everyone. PC or PDA Skype contacts must be equipped with at least a jack for headphones (that is the speaker) and microphone, that is, the attributes of conventional telephone handset. To transmit data over the network technology is used in Skype P2P (peer-to-peer), used in most modern file-sharing networks like KaZaA. Unlike other voice communication software, also uses the World Wide Web, Skype has all of the processing and compression to vote directly on the computer, the user, allowing the maximum to reduce the volume of the traffic. And, to use high-speed Internet connection for the conversation is not necessarily enough, even a traditional modem. Although, of course, the higher the rate, the better, and quality.

absolutely free, without any adware and spyware
available versions of applications for all popular operating systems: Windows XP, Mac OS, Linux, Windows Mobile 2003 (during the preparation of the material, it became known that Skype will release palmovuyu version of its application in October 2005)
Free and unlimited calls from computer to computer (you only pay the internet traffic to its ISP, and, solely inbound)
The approximate amount of traffic is about 300 KB per minute
work when connecting from 33 kbit / s
voice quality is no worse and often better than over the phone
Complete anonymity is guaranteed, since all traffic is encrypted "cryptographically", according to the manufacturer, the algorithms
guarantee correct operation with all the "firewalls"
Ease of use - at least the software settings (in most cases, no configuration is needed at all).

Official system requirements assume that you have a PDA with a processor at 400 MHz or higher processor, operating system, at least Windows Mobile 2003, as well as an external or integrated Wi-Fi adapter.However, the practice found that the 400 MHz "rock" - is not necessarily a condition you can use "engine" with lower power (at last count, with Skype works fine, and 200 MHz processor installed in the new device Qtek 9100). True, this call to Skype via GPRS will not work. The program, unfortunately, does not work that way. It is - it is checked. The most convenient communication over Skype using wired and wireless Bluetooth-headset (headphone + microphone) connected to a desktop computer or PDA. However, owners of handheld computers does not necessarily acquire a headset, because almost all current models already have a speaker with a microphone.

Skype services

In general, assume that you have everything you need for Skype-communication and get down to business. But before that answer the one question that has probably hurts those who are not in the subject line: if soft and calls - free of charge, what the creator gets the benefit of the program? You are right. Benefit - there is. The gist of it - to obtain payment for additional services and, primarily, for calls from Skype to regular (stationary or mobile) telephone numbers. This service is called SkypeOut. Thus, calls between skayperami from computer to computer are free, but for a call from your PC to PSTN will have to pay. Service SkypeOut - an extremely convenient and cheap. For a tiny amount of 1.7 cents, or about 2 U.S. cents or 50 cents a minute, you get a chance to call any phone in almost any country in the world. Here are the main destinations: Argentina (Buenos Aires), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Canada (mobile number), Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico (Mexico City, Moterrey), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States (including Alaska, Hawaii), USA (mobile number), Vatican City. Calls to the central Russian cities - Moscow and St. Petersburg - and cost just 1.7 cents. In other cities the cost of slightly higher - 3.9 cents, and minutes of calls to mobile numbers will cost 4 cents. Full list with prices can be seen here. To connect a SkypeOut, need to register (enter your Skype name and password) to the developer's site and to deposit money. More information about how best to do, we'll just below. The second paid service, which provides a company called SkypeIn. This service is essentially the opposite of respect to the service SkypeOut. The idea is that Skype subscribers is available for rent real telephone number that people can call from any phone. Your number Skype-phone may be registered in one of the countries to choose from, for example, in the U.S. or the UK (a list of available rooms is constantly being updated). You can pick up a few phones in different countries, however, would pay for each number separately. SkypeIn service opens up incredible opportunities, primarily for business. Imagine that you do business with any company from China. Get yourself the Hong Kong number, and let the partner call you free of charge and terminate the phone all day. SkypeIn - a real landline phone number, will cost just 30 euros per year (or 10 euros for 3 months). The only thing that upsets Russian facilities until the lease did not give up. But it seems that we have all come. The final service provided by the creators of Skype for the money - voice mail. I think, to explain the meaning of service is especially not necessary: people calling you the opportunity to leave a message when you are "offline" or your computer is off. The cost of subscription to voice mail - 15 euros / year or 3 euros for three months. As for Russian users, as shown by a recent poll, one third of them use all services except for SkypeIn and voice mail, 25% involve only Skype to communicate between computers (PC-to-PC) and, most interesting, as much as 30% are ready subscribe to the service SkypeOut, but can not afford it. Here is where the fun begins.

Working with the program

A newer version of Skype for PDA can be downloaded here or under "Programs for Pocket PC" on HPCru. The program is installed on the PDA without any problems. All standard.When you first start you first offered to accept the license agreement and asked to poke the stylus into the screen on the phrase "Tap here to sign in" ("Click here to make a connection"). In the next window you will be prompted to register a new user, you have to create a new Skype account or if you are already registered, enter the username and password. The password is stored by default and at the next time Skype does not need to enter it. Ironically, the first and perhaps the only real difficulty that arises when you first run the software, it's - select login. Deystitelno, in the service, where hundreds of millions of registered users, free of names is very small. So we'll have "at random", a few attempts, gradually adding additional letters or numbers to the original name, pick yourself a nickname, like Vasya12345. If the network connection is successful, you will immediately get the main program window. Otherwise, you reported that Skype can not connect to the network. The reasons for this may be several. First, the case may be incorrect Internet settings on the PDA. This problem should be solved independently, since no separate settings for connecting to the World Wide Web at Skype is not provided. To test the connection, fire up your browser and go to any site. If the Web page you are available, then the Skype program should connect correctly. Secondly, the problem may be related to the work of "firewall" on your computer through which you surf the Internet. If you are having difficulty connecting, temporarily disable the program. So, here you are connected.

Start Tab Contains a list of subscribers from your notebook, which are online, as well as the status of your account. If you have paid for SkypeOut, then on this tab, you can check your account.
Contacts Tab shows a list of subscribers in your address book - contact list.

Dial tab is used for calls to ordinary phone numbers. Enter your phone number and press call.
Log tab keeps a history of your calls, that is, information about whom you talked and when (day and time).

The program's interface in general is intuitively simple. Here everything is almost like a mobile phone. To call the user chooses a contact list, and then press the green call button at the bottom of the window. Once the connection is established with the subscriber, a call key will be "inactive" (gray).

To end the call, press the red button with a pipe. If you receive a call from another user, the program will notify you snooze. You can agree to and accept the challenge or lose the call. Clicking on the icon marked with the letter "A", you go in the mode of sending text messages to the subscriber - mode "messaging." There are also all extremely simple, almost like in ICQ.

Typed text and click on "send" the right of the window, write the message. The text is sent.

"Heart" is pre-generated list of most frequently used phrases like: "Hi, how are you?" or "I went for!"
"Smiley" allows you to add a post funny and sad "face" from the menu that appears.

Skype Me - «Come hang out with me as though someone!"
Away - temporarily out
Not available - absent
Do not disturb - do not bother
Invisible - invisible to other users.

Log in as a New User - register a new user
Logout - to change the current user
Add a Contact - add new user in the contact list (must enter a user name)
Search for a Skype users - to find a user with the nickname that contain the letters (unfortunately, the regime can not see the current status of the user)

Language - select the language (Russian, alas, no)
Allow calls - to allow reception of calls to choose from: all users, only those who are in the contact list or just those you personally have authorized
Allow messages - to allow reception of text messages from subscribers to choose from (similar to the previous version)
Prevent device standby mode when online - to ban handheld go into standby mode when you're online
Echo cancellation ON - turn on the suppression of the "echo" (improves sound quality)
Edit Message Templates - edit a set of ready-made phrases to speed up the communication mode, text messaging
Quit - exit the program.

Hang up - hang up
Hold - hold call
Mute - mute
Show profile - View Profile caller
Add to contacts - add the person to contact list

The same menu, but in the form of icons, you can call by clicking the image interlocutor during the conversation.

Additional features

Call - a call
Send an Instant Message - Send a message
Show Profile - view the profile, that is, information about the user. By the way, you can have on a similar profile, but it was filled only available in versions of Skype for desktop PCs.

Block this User - block user
Rename - rename the subscriber
Remove from Contacts - remove a contact from the phonebook
Request Authorization - send an authorization request.

That is, in fact, all the wisdom.

Ping

So you can be congratulated on taking a series of Skype-Community. Meanwhile, at the moment to talk to you no one, but want to test your connection. This problem is completely solved. Should first make a test call to the subscriber echo123. This is a special Skype answering machine, situated geographically in the UK. Calls on him often occur just to test the connection. Callers echo123 again "reports" that it supposedly service ping and that after the beep "pi" stands out to you 10 seconds to tell a short message.Your message is recorded on the server, and then immediately played back to you. Pay attention to the quality of communication, your voice and the volume (recording level) the microphone. Call to echo123 enough to personally assess the quality of Skype. Checking communication at electronically answerphone can proceed to communion with friends:)

Sound quality

Few kind words wants File Type about quality sound and convenience Skype communion on PDA. When Internet calls to subscribers who are close to you, for example, when calling from Moscow to Moscow, the communication quality is much better than on the phone. "Echo" is missing completely. When calling remote subscribers, for example, in another country, depending on the distance and speed of the Internet begin to appear normal for long-distance side effects. In the first place, clearly perceptible delay in the signal - from 0,5 to 2 seconds. Voice quality at the "far" connection decreases slightly. There is a "echo" (that is, you start to hear what I said yourself). During testing, Skype-Linkages, I tried two newest PDA Dell Axim X50v and HP iPAQ hx4700, as well as communicator Qtek 2020i. They are all connected to my desktop computer via Wi-Fi. Was used "Easy Connection", described in the article "Wi-Fi at home: Create a wireless network and connect the PDA, part 1," published recently in the HPCru. In brief, a desktop machine connected wireless adapter Wi-Fi, choose the mode of connection: "computer to computer." The NIC that is connected to the ISP, was shared between the internet for other users. As a result, all devices participating in the Skype-test showed themselves perfectly.

It is curious that, for most PDAs, including our experimental, multimedia headset is optional. Just offer a machine to your ear like a regular phone and start a conversation. However, there is still a small risk here: sometimes during a call, I accidentally touched his cheek and touch screen, unwittingly, caused the context menu:) So to speak, especially long (an hour and a half or two), it is more convenient for multimedia headset (eg , Bluetooth-model), when the PDA is with you on your desk or in your pocket: and his hands are free, and you can even play on the machine during intercourse.

Problems and solutions

One major problem about which, incidentally, we mentioned, wears not technical. Despite warning inoperability Skype through GPRS, and on PDA running versions below than Windows Mobile 2003 are experimenters who try run through mobile network yes even on old gland. This is - a waste of time. Not worth starting. In addition, I want to say a few words that Skype should not be used in local networks without Internet access. We remind you that this application does not work without the Internet. For Skype-communication within the local network will still need to go on the Internet. And this despite the fact that the main traffic during the conversation will go just on a local network rather than through the Web. The total consumption of the external traffic of such communications will naturally be much lower. But go to the main trouble of the Russian skayperov - unimaginable difficulties encountered when attempting to pay for SkypeOut. Make it easy at first glance. All operations in Russia are held through a system of money transfer Moneybookers. Payment can be made either by bank transfer to bank account or via credit / prepaid cards (VISA, VISA debit, VISA electron, MasterCard, Delta). In fact, you are confronted with the fact that, firstly, charge large commission for money transfer (minimum payment amount - 10 euros). Secondly, this "credit" cards have a very limited user population. This is understandable because of their service costs about $ 50 a year. Third, the Internet card, intended to pay for goods on the web, as experience shows, does not always work, but for their manufacture have to pay the bank. In general, there is quite a strange phenomenon.Skype developers are not rushing to establish relations with Russia. Make such a conclusion can learn about all kinds of payment methods, including electronic cash, which are available to subscribers from other countries. For Russian skayperov such diversity is not provided. But let us hope that this is a matter of time. Questions about how and where our customers can fill up the balance are being actively discussed and nA Russian forums (including www.skypeclub.ru and www.ixbt.com). However, until universal formula for payment of services Skype-communication has been found, so to give an unequivocal advice can not we. Yet for those who just need a Skype can offer a completely legal way to recharge without the hassle of credit cards and banks. By Plantronics, a manufacturer of professional headsets for IP telephony gives users special vouchers when purchasing certain models of headphones. These vouchers can be activated at www.skype.com and get 120 minutes for calls to PSTN. Otherwise, it is hoped that the demand for Skype in Russia, which has been growing steadily, put everything in its place and will enable us to you taste the delights of communication without borders and the huge bills for phone calls:)

Summary

Skype - is unique in its kind service, implemented by a surprisingly successful. In this program does not cause any difficulties even for the beginner: everything is thought out and intuitively accessible. Only wish the creators to simplify the procedure for depositing money into an account and release a version of software for handheld computers family Palm. The authors, translation:

Alexander Skusnov