Skype releases its own mobile with 3
October 29, 2007

Skype releases its own first mobile phone ever, together with operator 3. Skype and 3 have contracted the Chinese manufacturer Amoi, designers of the phone. The phone is equipped with a 2-megapixel camera, 3G, music player, MSN Messenger, and above all an internal Skype application for free calls.

Image above: The web browser.



Image above: Regular mobile calls also work well.
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Image above: Call log.



Image above: Camera mode.
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Image above: Address book.



Image above: Chat feature in Skype application.



Image above: It is possible to create a Skype account on the phone.



Image above: When online on Skype, it is visible with an icon in the status row.



Image above: Links to a number of internet services.



Image above: Music player.



Image above: Incoming Skype calls.



Image above: Program switch to access different functions.

As the first magazine in the world, Mobil got to try out the new Skype phone Monday. Our first impression: it is a well-working Skype solution. You can create a new Skype account directly using the phone, or log in using your regular credentials. When this is done, you just stay logged in, whatever you do with the phone (as long as you do not choose to log out).



At the top of the screen there is always an icon showing the Skype status, the same way as it works on the desktop.


Perfect sound

When I try to make a call, I really do get completely perfect sound. Technically, the call is routed through a combination of IP telephony and mobile telephony. But to the user, the important thing is that it is free, as long as you stay in your own country.




A great strength with this phone is that it is possible to call abroad using free Skype calls, regardless of where the receiving person is located in the world.

It is also possible to use the chat feature. However, the additional features Skypein and Skypeout are not currently available. 3 will be selling the phone using several different subscription plans, especially a Skype subscription for anyone wanting to only call Skype calls.


More applications to come

The Skype program is well integrated with the phone, using the Brew technology. It allows developers to do programs using basic features of the phone. Skype is the first in a series of investments in Brew from 3, and we are likely to see more Chinese Brew phones. The idea with Brew is to create a kind of smartphone at a really low price point. It will be possible to install other Brew applications on Skypephone from the beginning of 2008, says 3.

This phone is going to be cheap. Really cheap. And that seems pretty logic, since Skype calls are intended to be cheap as well.

The phone also has the most common popular features that “everyone” wants in a phone today. Skypephone has a simple 2-megapixel camera for stills and video. There is an internal music player, web browser, MSN Messenger, a memory card slot (512 Mbyte is included), support for stereo Bluetooth, and so on.

Charger and USB cable are included, as is a CD with desktop synchronization software.




Three colours

The phone will be available in three colours: white with blue frame, white with pink frame and black with dark grey frame.

By: Linus Brohult, Jonas Kämpe