Will Skype Support Video Calls?

[Merlin]

Will Skype and OS2008 on the N810 support video calls?

Thanks.

[zerojay]

At the moment, no. Gizmo is working on it.

[prosthetic]

As mentioned, Skype does not support video. It's just audio and chat. Very nice audio quality, mind you.

Gizmo supports video currently with other Gizmo users. So far, good quality, but could be even better by final release time. Internet video through gtalk is also quite nice.

[DataPath]

Skype has been very slow in bringing video support to Linux.

They just released v1.4 for Linux, and they're promising video support in the next release (http://share.skype.com/sites/linux/2007/06/skype_for_linux_14_beta.html) (scroll to the paragraph that starts with "we're still committed").

It would likely be the IT OS update after the next skype linux release that we get video.

[belder]

Thanks for the info. My N800 arrives tomorrow and I use Skype a lot. I had assumed that the camera would work with it. Now I'll know so I won't panic.

[Ar-ras]

Yes, I thought too when I bought my N800, that it would support Webcam with Skype, but I am waiting now so long, that I think that with IT OS 2009 we get an application, except camera, that will be useful on N800

[MoridinBG]

Probably they don't want to reinvent the wheel for NIT Webcam support and then again for the PC.
Skype for MAC doesn't do video too (But it has tabs. TABS!!!). And the situation with video input devices in Linux is far from perfect.

[Ar-ras]

Did Skype opened their Protocol? I dont think so. So everything must be reversed...

[TA-t3]

To get video into Skype I don't think it's really a question of opening up the Skype protocol, it's more a question of getting an open API (application programming interface) in place for the tablet video camera[1]. Then it would presumably be easier for Skype (and any other video-capable application) to program tablet video support into their application.

[1] or, improve what's there, as necessary

[ColdFusion]

Skype isn't open source. That in mind... what would Skype (Ebay) win if they added video to the tablets? They make their revenue from SkypeIn and SkypeOut, which doesn't need video. Ebay has stated that they are actually disappointed with the earnings from Skype in general and are viewing it as a flop.
So the only thing that _might_ get them to add video (if hardware on the tablets permits) is if some other company makes it (Gizmo, Gtalk) and they see a significant migration in their actual customers who use SkypeIn/Out to the other programs (Gizmo, Gtalk, w.e.) because of the video feature.
And before all that even happens there has to be general support for video in linux, or a _really_ easy way for them to add it to the tablets.

What Nokia would win if the video actually works on the tablets as intended is pretty obvious I guess. ;)

[DataPath]

Skype isn't open source. That in mind... what would Skype (Ebay) win if they added video to the tablets? They make their revenue from SkypeIn and SkypeOut, which doesn't need video. Ebay has stated that they are actually disappointed with the earnings from Skype in general and are viewing it as a flop.
Believe it or not, the skype team is still the skype team. They have a product that they want to make into the best darned product they can. Management business considerations can be taken into account, but that only works for on-the-clock hours.

Linux guys being linux guys, they could very well add the feature in off-the-clock time, as long as the linux dev team doesn't get decimated by a budget-conscious management.

So the only thing that _might_ get them to add video (if hardware on the tablets permits) is if some other company makes it (Gizmo, Gtalk) and they see a significant migration in their actual customers who use SkypeIn/Out to the other programs (Gizmo, Gtalk, w.e.) because of the video feature.

And before all that even happens there has to be general support for video in linux, or a _really_ easy way for them to add it to the tablets.

What Nokia would win if the video actually works on the tablets as intended is pretty obvious I guess. ;)

If they add video support to the linux port, it's going to come back to the v4l and/or v4l2 kernel video interface at one point or another. That means that any camera supported under v4l should work.

The camera on the N8x0 has a v4l2 driver, and thus the most likely ways of implementing video support for linux would also apply to the tablet version.

[Ar-ras]

exactly!

And that is the problem...

Does another IM for N800 uses the webcam?
Msn Messenger?

[larux]

exactly!

And that is the problem...

Does another IM for N800 uses the webcam?
Msn Messenger?

Have you tried Gizmo? Gizmo offers support for Video and it's also IM with support for other IM platforms..

http://www.gizmoproject.com/learnmore-nokia800.html

[TA-t3]

Well, Skype added video to the Windows version of Skype presumably for a reason. As they're for-profit, the reasoning was probably that it would make the product more popular. Can't see why the same reasoning wouldn't work for the tablet market..

[Ar-ras]

Have you tried Gizmo? Gizmo offers support for Video and it's also IM with support for other IM platforms..

http://www.gizmoproject.com/learnmore-nokia800.html

Gizmo dont loads the n800 camera anymore... If I pull out the camera it doesnt start, as it normally was.

[ColdFusion]

Believe it or not, the skype team is still the skype team. They have a product that they want to make into the best darned product they can. Management business considerations can be taken into account, but that only works for on-the-clock hours.

Linux guys being linux guys, they could very well add the feature in off-the-clock time, as long as the linux dev team doesn't get decimated by a budget-conscious management.
I _really_ wouldn't bet on that one. The developers can't add features that aren't exclusively permitted by management!

If it was so simple like you think, Nokia developers would have included OGG, AD2P and PIM apps support in their off-hours. And maemo is even OSS.

[hircus]

If it was so simple like you think, Nokia developers would have included OGG, AD2P and PIM apps support in their off-hours. And maemo is even OSS.

Haven't they added AD2P in OS2008? Judging from the state of Bluetooth audio support in Linux in general, it probably was not ready before (and presumably Nokia spent developer time in making it ready -- one of the reason I buy the Nokia tablets; getting Linux ready for the end-user).

Lack of PIM support is rather sad, yes. I can now sync my calendar with Google Calendar, using third-party solutions, but have not found a good OpenSync-based address book syncer.

[ColdFusion]

No AD2P in OS2008.

[Ar-ras]

Isnt it possible to put that all features in one IT OS 2008 Special Edition ;)?

Or are there some copyright infringements? because i dont wanna hack that whole stuff into my N800 after every update or recovery flash.

[sachin007]

No AD2P in OS2008.

But i saw a video of thoughtfix and his friend talk using bluetooth headsets via gtalk. I agree it is not A2dp but my thinking is that atleast it supports voip via a bluetooth headset...

Check this link.

http://www.atmasphere.net/wp/archives/2007/10/17/n810-internet-call

And some one did mention that thoughtfix tried a2dp out of the box and it did work. lets see

[benny1967]

And some one did mention that thoughtfix tried a2dp out of the box and it did work. lets see

Didnt he say it paired with the a2dp device, but didnt respond afterwards?

[atmasphere]

A2DP was added via software with Kagu right? Seems like it would be possible here too... The headset is great btw ... and will be coming to the N800 as well.

[zerojay]

We were told that a recompile of BlueZ would support AD2P out of the box... so I'm kind of confused that it's not working in IT 2008.

[ColdFusion]

A2DP was added via software with Kagu right?
That's an ugly hack that uses 100% of the cpu.

Aaaanyway... you're getting waay offtopic ;)

[sachin007]

Didnt he say it paired with the a2dp device, but didnt respond afterwards?

I did not see the live stream. Did he say that?? Did you see the stream??
I am really concerned about a2dp. But considering that there is out of the box support for bluetooth headset it would nt be too hard for some one to hack it to use a2dp...

say what??

[Nik1]

The camera on the n800 is the most blindingly empty feature that I have ever seen. When I first bought the n800, I was counting on it having some type of IM with video even if not a popular one. The only video call applicatin that can be used with the N800 is if you call another N800, which apparently not everyone has yet. Dont even mention the crippled camera application. Sometimes it runs smoothly and the rest of the time it crashes. My question is, why does the N800 even have a camera? Did Nokia just rely on the devs to create apps for them?

[lavo]

Probably they don't want to reinvent the wheel for NIT Webcam support and then again for the PC.
Skype for MAC doesn't do video too (But it has tabs. TABS!!!). And the situation with video input devices in Linux is far from perfect.

The Mac version of Skype does have video, and has had it for a year or so now. Its the Linux version that is way behind :(

[mobiledivide]

I believe thoughtfix said that the a2dp sound paired but was fuzzy. I have actually never tried video conferencing on the tablet because the only people I know who do it are on skype.