Skype on Blackberry & Facebook

[fashionaddictxox]

Is there a Skype app for the Blackberry? I assume yes.
If I do get the Curve will it work or is it only compatible with the newer models?
Then can someone tell me how it works meaning does it use BIS or do you incur additional data costs? Or does the Skype call come out of your own contract minutes? I'm looking to save on international calling.

And does any phone on the market support video calling for Skype?

Does the unlimited internet via BIS include uploading pictures to Facebook or do I pay extra for that?

If someone sends me a Blackberry from the USA it will work on Vodacom right?

[Lord Anubis]

Facebook uploads ,yes! Skype, No! Unlocked phone from US/UK, No!

[oronte]

I don't see why a berry from the USA should not work (as long as it's unlocked).

[phoneJunky]

Even if the phone is locked, you can get an unlock code and then use it. A friend of mine did it and is on cell c now, but she has to get the unlock code again to go to Vodacom or mtn. Don't know why she went to Cell C in the first place.

[bwana]

I've used a foreign bberry here in SA - as mentioned the original carrier (and make sure the carrier is a GSM one like ATT or T-mobile) may need to provide the necessary unlock code.

There is no real skype client yet. Facebook uploads are inclusive.

[RichardG]

I'd recommend nimbuzz for skype

[MoodyEve]

I use Nimbuzz at the moment on my SE and love it. I use it for all my IM clients.
Glad to know it will work on BB. Just waiting for my 9700 to come into stock at my MTN store.

[noonoofish]

Does it mean that if I go overseas (even if only for a week) I will need to get unlock code here with SA operator in order to use the BB with foreign SIM card, and when returning, I need to get the foreign operator's unlock code again in order to put back my SA SIM card? O.o

[bwana]

Does it mean that if I go overseas (even if only for a week) I will need to get unlock code here with SA operator in order to use the BB with foreign SIM card, and when returning, I need to get the foreign operator's unlock code again in order to put back my SA SIM card? O.oYou'll probably need the unlock code to use your SA blackberry with a overseas provider (at least I needed to for my Vodacom BB) but I'm not sure about having to unlock it again when you come back.

You'll also need to subscribe to the foreign carriers blackberry service which they may not even offer to PAYG customers.

Good news is RIMs compression is pretty good and if you pick the correct roaming partner the cost of using your local sim for emails etc might not be too bad.

[noonoofish]

Thank you bwana. I guess roaming is a good choice for short visit and 'll try it next time I go for a long visit...

[Lucasg]

iskoot for skype is designed so that you use skype on any mobile. Google it! text skype would be covered by BIS. For voice you will use your voice contract for outgoing and skype credit for incoming on your BB device. (It might be the other way around - not sure - cant remember now). Voice on the Edge network would be silly though as the speed requirements for VOIP is not met.

Facebook is covered by BIS as long as you use the Facebook for BB software. You will note that it is limited as far as to what you can do. eg. watching all the silly little movie clips is out of the question.
Uploading photos however is definitely covered by BIS.

[Tacet]

Reviving an old thread...

My GF has a Blackberry. I don't have one, so I don't know the details of BIS and what is covered. With the Skype clients for Blackberry (I think they became available after this thread was created), is voice calling (Skype-Skype) covered by BIS, or will she have to pay extra?

[phoneJunky]

I doubt it, as blackberry data first has to go through the blackberry server with extra compression. You can't stream over BIS so I don't think calling will work as skype calling is probably the same as streaming. (I might be wrong though)

[diabolus]

There's still no official Skype client for blackberry. I only saw 3 "multi messenger" services that have Skype included, but not necessarily the voice calling.

Nimbuz : Free and certainly works with the texting , not sure about voice calling and other Skype related functions.
IM+ : This one costs $30, but got all the bells and whistles for Skype : http://www.shapeservices.com/en/products/details.php?product=skype&platform=bb
ISkoot : Free, Skype only and it was very slow and unoptimized for my BB screen [everything is tiny etc]. http://iskoot.com/products/skype

IM+ is my favorite, but it costs moola , Nimbuz is "good enough" , but it is free. Iskoot , didn't like it.

[Tacet]

Thanks. It seems like the clients I saw are only available on Verizon. Skype voice calls between PC and Blackberry doesn't seem to be an option on Vodacom, then.

[d7e7r7]

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-mobile/skype-mobile/blackberry/

Does skype work on BIS?
In other words, will it be free?

[AirWolf]

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-mobile/skype-mobile/blackberry/

Does skype work on BIS?
In other words, will it be free?

Here's the most important bit:


Here are the BlackBerry® smartphones from Verizon Wireless that support Skype mobile™

[CranialBlaze]

Nimbuzz is no longer allowed to use the skype API, skype support was terminated yesterday for all nimbuzz users, the only decent alternative is IM+ as iskoot, is rubbish.
Problem is since skype has forced nimbuzz and fring to drop skype this year its really worrying to those like myself who purchased the IM+.

The Skype Call from shapeservices works the same way as iskoot on a BB, it makes a call to a local exchange office so you pay a local call fee+skype fees to make calls as BB does not support duplex making VOIP without WiFi impossible.

As for that verizon skype client, i got my hands on a copy from a friend overseas and it does not work here in SA, its been programmed to work with Verizons AP which is secured with a uname and pass so even setting in ur AP manually on your handset does not help unless you in America and using a Verizon Sim card.

[d7e7r7]

Nimbuzz is no longer allowed to use the skype API, skype support was terminated yesterday for all nimbuzz users, the only decent alternative is IM+ as iskoot, is rubbish.
Problem is since skype has forced nimbuzz and fring to drop skype this year its really worrying to those like myself who purchased the IM+.

The Skype Call from shapeservices works the same way as iskoot on a BB, it makes a call to a local exchange office so you pay a local call fee+skype fees to make calls as BB does not support duplex making VOIP without WiFi impossible.

As for that verizon skype client, i got my hands on a copy from a friend overseas and it does not work here in SA, its been programmed to work with Verizons AP which is secured with a uname and pass so even setting in ur AP manually on your handset does not help unless you in America and using a Verizon Sim card.

Why are they so anti everyone using their stuff?

[TFTC]

I have Nimbuzz on my BB Curve and it works great but can only do skype chat, if you want skype calling on ur BB install iSkoot it does the trick

Is there a Skype app for the Blackberry? I assume yes.
If I do get the Curve will it work or is it only compatible with the newer models?
Then can someone tell me how it works meaning does it use BIS or do you incur additional data costs? Or does the Skype call come out of your own contract minutes? I'm looking to save on international calling.

And does any phone on the market support video calling for Skype?

Does the unlimited internet via BIS include uploading pictures to Facebook or do I pay extra for that?

If someone sends me a Blackberry from the USA it will work on Vodacom right?

[CranialBlaze]

I have Nimbuzz on my BB Curve and it works great but can only do skype chat, if you want skype calling on ur BB install iSkoot it does the trick

Skype chat no longer works, log in and see for yourself, as a registered member you should of gotten the email on the 30th stating that the 31st was the last day of skype support.

iSkoot is still just a call center service, it calls an 011 number and then uses bother ur airtime/free minutes as well as skype credit, only useful if you are calling internationally.

[TheGuy]

A friend of mine is using IM lite to login into skype.

[Arksun]

I fail to understand the logic behind skype's decision to do this. Verizon is only in the US, so they cut off the rest of the world. The vast majority of mobile phones sold everywhere on earth today are blackberry and android based. I really don't see what they are gaining in cutting off more than two thirds of the planet.

edit: they really are making an effort to ensure nobody else on the planet is able to utilize their services on mobile. Fring been cut off, nimbuzz been cut off.. I'm pretty sure its just a matter of time till IM+ and iSkoot gets the axe too. I really don't get it

[AirWolf]

I think it is probably pressure from network operators trying to save a cash-cow.

[CranialBlaze]

A friend of mine is using IM lite to login into skype.

Pretty useless when it only allows 30minute sessions, you need close the whole app to log back in, very frustrating. Also as its a bit of a battery drain i felt very happy to pay teh $30 to get the push mode and no adverts.