The Skype Hype
 

I am a total novice on my N800 and mainly use it as a sofa based web browser, but I read these forums often to see if there is any useful new software. I am anticipating the new o/s release (didn't some guy promise it would be out on june 11), but it seems that there is a lot of emphasis on Skype in the new o/s and the apparent importance of Skype to N800 users.

Maybe it is just me, but I don't care about Skype one bit and would prefer to make the N800 into a real business tool with Open Office support and a push email client. Am I alone that these type applications are vastly more important to the longterm commercial viability of the N800. Perhaps I don't understand Skype well enough or am just different from others, but I am going to use my cellphone to make a phone call. That is not what I personally want to do with my N800?

In addition, I still think Nokia should be paying money to Citrix to develop a client for the N800. That would be money well spent by Nokia.

If the N800 is going to remain a niche device, it will go nowhere. There are people that would still today say the Newton was one of the best computing devices ever. I hope Nokia is mindful.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I agree with you for the most part: there have to solid, business-type applications for the N800 so that it will stick around. However, I'd put Skype in the collection with Open Office and push email.

Consider Skype rates. Unlimited calling to any phone for under $30/year. My cell service (T-Mobile) offers plans as low as 4 cents per minute. But my plan is still $60 / month (with a family plan, etc). Put your family on Skype and call for free.

Skype probably does not make sense as the only plan for a business or even as the sole provider for your home. But for many applications you might use your cell phone for, Skype is cheaper. And there are lots of options when you consider things like international calling.

I think the hype builds around Skype because most folks have the impression that cell phone companies are grubbing for any $$ they can get. There's also the impression that Skype will make a lot of $$ without all the grubbing.

Anyway, while I'm not freaking out about Skype in the new firmware release (there are other features/fixes I long for), it'd be great to have that application as some calling options.

-F

Re: The Skype Hype
 

No, it doesn't need push e-mail clients (in my 20 years on the internet, I've never even HEARD of push e-mail). That would MAKE it a niche product. I would much rather use Skype (or Gizmo) for calls than a cell phone. I personally don't care too much about Skype though and no, it's not integrated into the firmware.

I think the problem a lot of people have with the N800 is that they buy it expecting to replace their business phones and Blackberry, but that's not what the N800 is for.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I agree that I would take Open Office over Skype, and I just wish there was a video call application for Mac, so I can call home from the road. Otherwise, for browsing, I love the N800.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I do want to see Skype on the N800. If the browser supports Google Documents etc (i actually haven't tried it so i could be wrong, but i think i read somewhere it isn't supported 'cause of AJAX??) then that is a solution already.

But there's no real phone solution. Gizmo doesn't work here most of the time. Btw: i'm eagerly awaiting Skype, but are there people out here that have used Skype through WiFi? Is the transmitted voice quality good through 11mbit/54mbit connections? I know received voice over 11mbit connections is okay.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

My guess is that OpenOffice.org would interest more people, yes. For me though, my N800 is my main personal computer, not something I'm trying to use for work, and I've not had (or needed) a word processor, spreadsheet, or any other office app on a personal computer since I was a student.

As I don't know anyone who uses Skype, it holds no particular allure. I'm more looking forward to seeing what other improvements might come with the update.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Keep in mind the N800 was released by the Multimedia division. That may (or may not) explain the lack of emphasis on business tools. Had it been released as the E800, by Nokia Enterprise solutions, odds are things could have been very different.

I realize this solves nothing for anyone, but I'm hoping it at least explains motives behind the current tablet's direction. I could be wrong. However, I would also dearly love a version with an enterprise focus...

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I'll go with the "I know no one who uses skype" crowd. I do know a bunch of people who use iChat, with video. Would be nice to see some type of application that would let us us that.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Whilst Skype would be an interesting tool to play with on the N800 or the 770, I would be more interested in being able to use my bluetooth headset to make calls instead of the wired version. Gizmo is an acceptable alternative to Skype for the moment, but it strikes me as counterintuitive (and slightly ironic) that the internet tablets are supposed make it so we can be less restricted (with regards to where we surf, check emails, et al.), but continues to tie us to a unit with headphone cables. While I could care less about A2DP, simple bluetooth voice function shouldn't be so hard, should it? In the spirit of the US' Independence Day (also my birthday) with respect to Patrick Henry..."Give me Bluetooth, or give me death." I can think of almost nothing more fitting. :)

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I hadn't really thought of it that way. Nokia mobile phones are (obviously) released the same way... (whacks his head with a DOH!).

I still think Skype can be one of the handful of apps that will give strong cred to the N800. Perhaps it's not Skype...just VOIP. But since Gizmo has not caught on, perhaps the more-established Skype can do so. I think folks will be surprised by how useful an established, working VOIP app can be.

-F

Re: The Skype Hype
 

skype is so hot because it was promised...

skype is a cool app, especially for younger or less cash equiped people, i can see the n800 being a option for younger on the go people, that want to save cash on cell phone bills.. just go to thhe closest hotspot and make your calls..

really with skype i could make 95% of my calls, the remainder coul be done on a pay aas youu go cell plan, or just skip the cell thing alltogether.. as with skype out and in my yearly cost would be just over what my monthly cell bill is. thatss a lot off cash in my pocket.


open office would be so sweet.. thats what is really missing to make this a real portable computer.. OO is a killer app, skype is also, at least in my book it is.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I make frequent international calls, and use Skype for that when at home. If I'm traveling it would have been nice to use my 770 for that too.

Instead I installed Gizmo Project and bought some credit with them too (that 50c free trial credit really helped that decision!)

It was also useful at home once, when the PC wouldn't boot I used the 770 to make a call.

I find Gizmo has a bit more lag compared to Skype (even when comparing both PC clients), but it does the job. Maybe Skype will have more lag on the 800 than on a PC, maybe not.

So Skype would mean not having to maintain two sets of credit, and maybe would improve lag, but it's not going to make me buy an 800.

(I don't know why, but it seems a little bit cool making a call on something that isn't a phone, not to mention costing a fraction of what a cellphone call would.)

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I think the obvious opportunity here is for web-based office apps that can work with the Nokia tablets. If Google chooses not to, what prevents another entity from doing this?

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Amen to that. I think that if someone came up with a stableful of web based apps that worked great with the N800, I would be willing to pay for access to them.

Alternately, if someone could just make the N800 work well with the Google apps...

Re: The Skype Hype
 

That's what i said :) But i'm still waiting for any reply on my question if someone has good talking experiences through WiFi. Could anyone reply please? I'm very interested in this.:)

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Looks like an area where a nimble Google competitor could-- oops, sorry, lost my mind for a moment there.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

What are you talking about. Skype has video call capabilites, as does X-Lite.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

BlogrQ,
I use Wifi as my main phone service. (But then, I have some wicked cool gizmos that make sure my Wifi calls sound like regular phone calls.) I do pay Skype 30 bucks a year for Unlimited outgoing and 36 a year for a incoming line. I am looking forward to the Skype release for the N800 for the simple reason that as long as I am near a hotspot, I can get phone calls.

Sapporobaby,
FYI - Skype for Windows has Video call capabilities. I know the Linux one doesn't. And I'm not sure about the OSX version.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

@electrolind,

I can not speak for the Linux version but the Mac OS X version has had video for quite some time. www.skype.com for additional info.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Do we forget so soon? Nokia's goal for this device is as an INTERNET device, putting browsing and communication above PDA and business functionality.

With that in mind, Skype is a natural progression. With that, webcam chat with other (Yahoo, AIM, MSN) clients, Bluetooth PAN, and even better streaming video (Flash) support should be the roadmap.

If they wanted to roadmap it as a business device, they'd have given it a keyboard. If they wanted to make it a PDA, they'd have given it a contact manager, phone dialer, richer Email app, and calendar out-of-the-box. Given the included software, partnerships, and strategy, it's clear that the primary goal remains internet-experience-centric.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Yes - no. Skype may be a small part of some bigger image, but there's nothing to explain the hype about it. What will it bring? VoIP and chat. We already have both (and there will be more applications to come).

Re: The Skype Hype
 

It's not because it offers so much - it's because it offers TO so MANY. There are tons of Skype users out there. More than you expect. If you don't use it yourself, you can find a few friends who do and will be glad you have it on your tablet.

Consider the iPhone's YouTube module. They SHOULD have put a real Flash implementation on their web browser, but since they were probably too stingy to cough up the license deal with Macromedia over Flash, they went right to YouTube for a partnership. Apple's implentation doesn't give the full experience, but it gives a big partnership to an in-demand service.

Skype does the same on the N800.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Can't argue that - However, is Nokia's view inline with what the market wants? That may be the bigger question in terms of the N800's sucess and future.

I love the internet experience on the N800, but I really would like to be able to use it as my pda too so the only other device I need is a cheap bluetooth mule phone. It's a great platform and it seems a little stretch would go a long way.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I love the internet experience on the N800, but I really would like to be able to use it as my pda too.[/QUOTE]

I can't speak for others, but I really hope this comes in the form of Google Calendar with Gears for offline use. That way I never have to worry about synchronization or platform issues between machines.

I am an active user of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux all at once. I am not the "mass market" but having something look/operate the same way on ANY computer AND on the tablet would widen the market appeal.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Tying the connection to a vendor is as bad as tying it to a platform ( Is google a platform or vendor ?? - anyway )

What about us poor corporate shmucks or those that prefer Yahoo, MSN, etc.,

a caldav compliant calendar would be great, or even syncml for calendar /contacts, etc.

But yes, it's the off-line mode and syncing that are really important for pda type functions. It's not like Nokia is a stranger to these areas, having provided this to even basic phones in the past and now as the owners of the Intellisync products. Seems they ought to be able to whip up or refactor something.

Maybe it needs to be the EN800

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Looks like you need an E90 ;)

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Yeah, like I said in fewer words. :p

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I agree with Thoughtfix. Over. Out.


About your "gizmos", what do you use then for good signal?

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Really this device can easly do a open office type suite.. and easly do PIM fucntions.. what we need is soem one thats good at coding apps that wants to make a few bucks per sale of each application, I'd be willing to pay $20 for a port of open office for the n800.

How about a group buy type situation, we all get together and say all of us will donate $20 for a working port of whtever.. say 200 people want this we offer $4000 for the port and offer it to a person or group, they deliver and the pot goes to them.

Really there is a large opportunity for some one to take over where Nokia has left off.. Maemo is a prime example of this.. look at the apps that are out there, there great apps.. some one just has to want to make these apps and they will get made.

I wish I knew how to program more than HTML and other really basic programming types.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

With the right server set-up, E-ville, you could have a web device with a reasonable ability to spellcheck and 'enhance' text, as well as deal with Excel-like tables. PowerPoint would take a dedicated application even if it were possible, and I'm not sure it'd be reasonable to do so. Without a real keyboard or even official bluetooth keyboard support, I'm not sure these are really good choices, though -- typing anything past a certain length just isn't reasonable with the virtual stuff the n800 has.

I don't particularly see the need for Skype what with Gizmo providing most of the same services, but it's better to have the option in case any friends have only one (especially since Skype can't be provided by a third party).

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I will put $100 into the open office pot.

I know its just an internet tablet, but it COULD be so much more.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

OpenOffice = Java and is very resource heavy. Maybe we'll get something compatible with it but forget OO itself.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I was in Spain back in May for the Ubuntu Developers Summit. Being from the US and having US Cellular for a phone carrier, there was no way I was going to be able to use my cell phone to call home. This is where my N800 excelled. I used Gizmo and Googletalk to call home. Gizmo allowed me to call landlines (in other words when my family forgot to turn on the computer or didn't hear the "Googletalk ring") and Googletalk allowed me to more easily (could have done it with Gizmo too) call with my N800 to the computer. The hotel had wireless access...so I simply "called" home and talked to my family at length for little or no cost. As a frequent user of Skype on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X....Skype is my client of choice simply because it works pretty darn good and it is more widely used by folks all over the world. I like Gizmo and Googletalk (and SIP in general) , but Skype is easier in the sense that it's more universally accepted and used...as well as many people have actually heard of it. I'd like the option of being able to use any client I want. Choice is a good thing! :-)

Re: The Skype Hype
 

I think the big draw for Skype is the user base they already have, and the $65 a year for unlimited outbound and a incoming real physical number, gizmo is great but Skype is a better deal overall..

As for a web based server side app.. yeah that works but what happens when your not online, or are you talking about running a small server on the tablet? That is what people are looking a off line solution like Open Office for the n800.. Just a better browser would allow us to use all the google apps.. but not offline.

As for resource intensive..could be.. but I remember running it on a 300 mhz P2 pack in the day it was slow to load but was usable, even if it was a simplified version, enough to make edits and save them.. create new files etc.. that's all we need. Maybe start with one of the first versions that were slimmed down a bit.. or one of the other clones of Open office.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

*shrug*. I'm not sure I'd want to use a 770 or 800 for the 1,500 minutes at which you break even for the Skype deal, especially if you end up with a few connections as Gizmo All Calls Free ones, but to each their own.

In theory, scratchbox's PERL support would allow <i>most</i> of the necessary file management techniques for Excel spreadsheets, although making an offline spellchecker would be a pain with that technique. Perhaps using AbiWord would be viable...

I dunno, I'm only familar enough with Linux code to be really dangerous.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

1500 minutes, thats at .02 a minute on gizmo, that is $30... but thats a year on skype for unlimited.. 1500 minutes a year isn't that much, it only 25 hours a year, when I'm on the road for work in a month I can go through 500 minutes in 3 weeks.. but in that situation I have wifi access.. I guess it really depends on how much you can replace your cell phone.. about 90% of my calls are in the presence of wifi.. Hotels, conference centers, office or at home.

Between the minutes on my cell and the long distance at home I easly will make up the $65 a year for Skype wth unlimited out and a skype in, and have it almost every i need it.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

i don't have a cell phone, and i don't have a land line. i split the broadband bill with my roommates, and i use a wifi skype phone (netgear sph101) for all my calls. for 65/yr plus 10/mo for the internet, i save lots of money over having a cell phone. the netgear phone doesn't have a browser, so i can't log into many free/pay hotspots; that's why i want an n800 with skype. i can call my friends around the world as if they were in the same town, and if they use skype (most do) i can see when they're online and call them for free.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

From my point of view these are exactly the points you could make against Skype:

With the Skype client, you are tied to their business model; there's no choice. $65/year may seem OK to you, but for me it would be ridiculously expensive in comparison. (I don't pay for a incoming physical number at all, for example - it's free.)

With Gizmo (or any other client based on open standards) I can switch to a new provider whenever I find one that offers cheaper rates and/or better quality. I can even use several providers at the same time, one for international calls, one for local calls etc. You can't do this with Skype. Skype is Skype is Skype - no choice here whatsoever.

Concerning the "user base": In fact, thats a drawback, too. It's beginning to form some kind of de-facto monopoly in the low-end mass market, which is bad (bad for the prices as well, btw). If I didn't care for such things, I'd have chosen a Windows-based system instead of my 770. - Yes, it's true that I know more people who have Skype than people who do VoIP via SIP-based clients. Still, if I want to call someone PC-to-PC or add him to my contacts permanently, it's very easy for them to download any SIP-based client they feel comfortable with (and they do, because they know I'd never touch Skype). In fact this is all that matters... I don't care for a worldwide user base as long as the people I actually want to talk to can be reached via SIP. ;)

Re: The Skype Hype
 

The main problem I have with Gizmo... the expiration of the credits being hard set at 180 days. So if you spend 10 or 20, nothing smaller... and don't use it all, you're out of luck in 6 months.

Also, Skype for me makes more sense because of the fact that I have amassed business contacts, friends and family on Skype for IM and other purposes. Gizmo... I have maybe two contacts. And I've been with them longer than Skype.

As far as SIP-based clients go on the 770/800, I've yet to locate one that allows me to use my established Voicestick account.

Skype has a lot of hype behind it, true enough. But it's an app that I actually use. Despite being a "node on their network"... I still have used it moreso than Gizmo.

Re: The Skype Hype
 

Whats wrong with Gizmo? I dont know Voicestick, but if it's really SIP-based, you should be able to use it with Gizmo.

Gizmo the VoIP provider != Gizmo the client.