Skype on the Apple iPod touch

SkypeIn my previous Apple iPod touch post I forgot to mention that since the Apple iPod touch supports the same Safari browser as the iPhone, this enables you to run AJAX applications over its built-in Wi-Fi wireless connection. Thus, you can even run a VoIP application such as Skype on the Apple iPod touch using SoonR, the very first Skype for iPhone solution that I broke the news back in July. It leverages AJAX within the Safari browser. Another recent solution is IM+ for Skype, which should also work on the iPod touch. The beauty of IM+ for Skype is that it doesn't even require Skype to be running on your PC - it leverages the Skype API and servers run by the IM+ for Skype folks (Shape Services).

Of course, the iPod touch doesn't have a microphone so you can't have 2-way voice. (Update: There is a hack to add a microphone now to the iPod touch) In fact, you can't have one-way voice either. The reason is that these two Skype for iPhone solutions require a SkypeOut phone call to an actual phone number, i.e. the iPhone's phone number. Unfortunately, the iPod touch doesn't have an inbound phone number. Until a native AJAX VoIP application comes out, you won't be making VoIP calls from the iPod touch.  That certainly would be a cool app, especially if it supports SIP to terminate to any SIP-based service provider.  

I should mention of course, you CAN view your Skype buddies' presence info and even initiate instant messaging sessions with either SoonR or IM+ for Skype. Hmm, texting IMs from your iPod. Seems so strange, yet so cool. Something to add to your wacky "never-intended-for-this-use-gadget" arsenal.

You might want to check out the fring VoIP app for the iPod touch which supports Skype, SIP, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ, AOL, and more. Here's a link to it in the Apple app store:
fring

Also, check out Amazon's Top Best Selling list of Apple iPod touch accessories
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Skype on the Apple iPod touch TrackBack URL : http://blog.tmcnet.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/33460

16 Comments

Great stuff! I dont use skype at home, so i dont need skype on my iphone :/

greetz from germany

i would like to have ICQ on my iphonesad

Ummm... if you use SkypeIn, then you'd have an inbound number, and year's SkypeIn subscription is still far less expensive than an iPhone, or even its monthly plans.
Then, you could make outbound calls, check voicemail, etc... at least, I would think to folks on your call list, which show up with those on your buddy list.

The new iPod Touch gives the user the ability to surf the Internet via WiFi access. This brings up an interesting question : is it possible to get Skype on the iPod Touch and call for a lower fee or even for free? If so, do you need an iPhone or a wireless provider, really?

Shape Services has already developed a Skype client for the iPhone, allowing the low cost Internet calling service to be used when you're connected to a Wi-fi network. The service is accessed by iPhone users through the Safari browser on the phone, by pointing the browser to skypeforiphone.com.

The question now is, will this service at least theoretically work on an iPod Touch? Of course, you would need a customized headset that would let you talk as well as hear the person you are calling, that issue aside, this is an interesting issue. It should already be possible to get emails and IMs on the iPod Touch.

When you think about it, would Steve Jobs mind if someone used the new iPod Touch to make calls when they are in an area that is equipped with WiFi? Probably not. After he lowered the price of the iPhone, the margins can't be that different on the two devices and Apple makes its money from selling hardware, not airtime.

In fact, Steve Jobs only commented on the broader issue of cannibalization between the iPhone and iPod Touch yesterday with the somewhat vague answer:
"If anybody is going to cannibalize us, I want it to be us. I don't want it to be a competitor."

While Apple's network partner AT&T might have something to say about this, you ca't stop the future from happening. There are already a number of Skype-enabled cell phones out there and why should not Apple get a piece of this market?

IM+ for Skype enables not only Skype chat and presence on iPod touch, it also allows iPod users to talk with Skype users and call any landline/mobile by setting the callback number of user's mobile or landline phone.

they do make some types of mics for ipod touch in wich case there is a possibility in the near future of making calls on ipod touch!
OF course we'd nead a skype app to download onto it.

Good Afternoon,

What about Skype for the new ipod touch. It seems to have more web functions. It does mail and stocks. What do you think?

Sincerely,

Jeremy

Great stuff! I dont use skype at home only for business

I think skype should build an app using the new iPhone SDK. I know there are ways to use skype already on your ipod touch but they look complicated or they don’t look like they would work well on the ipod touch. My other concern is that you have to either have to use the web browser to access your skype account or you have to hack your ipod touch. The app should be available for either free download or pay download on the new app store that Apple is launching on itunes. The app should make it so people who have a skype account can make and resave calls from people calling your skype number. The app should be user friendly. I also think that the app should only we available for download to ipod touch users. I say this so AT&T doesn’t get angry at people who own iphone's and use skype instead of using there cell network. I think this will make it so AT&T will try to prevent skype from ever making this app a reality. I don’t know if this can be done. some of you may be saying wait a minuet the ipod touch dusent have a microphone well this is true but the ipod touch dose have technology built into it that allows a microphone to be added if u connect it to the dock connector slot on the bottom. There could be two kinds on devices made. One that would be just a microphone and then you would have to connect head phones to the head phone jack to here the conversation and the second being a peas that would let you connect an Apple iphone Stereo Headset to you ipod touch so you could have a Stereo Headset instead of having to have a microphone and head phones. The peas would connect to the Dock connector slot and look like the cord that connects your ipod to your computer but instead of a long cord there would be a very very sort cord with a 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack at the end so u could plug in ether the Apple iPhone Stereo Headset or a third party Stereo Headset. What do people think about this, is this a brilliant idea or a dumb one pleas let me know.

Hi. Well I didn't get it Can I download skype on iPod or no???

yes that is a brilliant idea just what I was looking for. It is so true about apple not wanting to introduce skype since it will subvert the iphone. but this idea should be made a reality everything is there for it already. In this day and age come on.

How can I download skype in my Ipod touch. When I try the safari can't do it.

gonna wait skype for ipod touch is prefected before, buying ipod, cus you never know when apple's gonna upgrade it...any second now...

The 2nd Generation iPod Touch supports a mic (using the Apple earbud headset) via the headphone jack (which now contains 5 wire connections instead of 4... or is it 4 instead of 3?). Either way, I've been using Fring for Skype on the iPod Touch for about a month now and it works fine. It's not the best solution as you're using Fring as a middle-man to Skype thus creating about a 2 second delay in voice but hey... it works for now until Skype develops an official app for the iPod. smile 1st generation iPod Touch users will have to use a jailbroken iPod and the modified microphone kit in order to do this however.

If you are a jailbreaker you CAN install and use SKYPE in Canada.

1. update mobile substrate in Cydia

2. download cracked skype1.0.1.ipa (you can find it online =)

3. drag ipa into itunes

4. sync to success

have fun.

screw dem patent trolls, apple, skype, crtc and rogers
FTW!!!

CitizenZiggy!

Here are some instructions on how to wire up a simple convertor for a PC headset and the iPod Touch 2nd gen:

Using a PC headset and Skype on iPod Touch 2nd Generation

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