Mobile Phone News and Reviews

Back before Mobile World Congress this year, one of the larger pre-conference announcements was that the largest wireless carrier in the United States, along with one of the most popular VoIP services on the Internet, would be launching a service that would make quite a few people

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Article Content:
Back before Mobile World Congress this year, one of the larger pre-conference announcements was that the largest wireless carrier in the United States, along with one of the most popular VoIP services on the Internet, would be launching a service that would make quite a few people happy. The addition of Skype on 3G smartphones, with the ability to make Skype calls over 3G was pretty huge. Before, it was limited to just WiFi. But, as expected, it wasn’t for every phone out there: just BlackBerry and Android devices to start. But it looks like all of that is about to change.





Verizon Wireless has just announced that Skype is coming to more handsets. They’ve put a “by the end of the year” time stamp on the deal, so that gives both companies plenty of time to shove the service onto handsets. While it’s obviously going to be available on upcoming Android and BlackBerry releases, we should also expect to see it on multimedia phones, too.

Our big question, and perhaps biggest concern, is whether or not the Skype application will come pre-loaded on those multimedia phones. While Skype is a great service, it’s not going to fit everyone’s style, nor will they want another application on their handset that they don’t use. We’ll have to see what happens. How many of you out there have been using Skype on your handsets already?

Press Release:

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Skype mobile™ from Verizon Wireless gives customers another easy way to stay connected with friends, family and colleagues all over the world. Available only from Verizon Wireless, Skype mobile is an easy-to-download and free app for 3G Smartphone customers.

Skype mobile from Verizon Wireless, currently available on 12 different smartphones, will expand to more handsets later this year, including several 3G Multimedia phones. In addition to Spanish, Skype mobile will also be available in Korean and simple Chinese, providing more flexibility and the ability to communicate with people around the world. Skype mobile customers will soon see an enhanced user interface with a drop-down menu with flags for international dialing.

“Skype mobile from Verizon Wireless not only takes advantage of the reliability and breadth of our wireless network, but it’s also proving to be a great option for military families with loved ones stationed overseas, people with relatives in Asia or South America, and businesses with a global presence,” said Jennifer Byrne, executive director of business development, Verizon Wireless. “And, with the World Cup starting soon, there’s no better way to talk or chat about the action with far-flung fans and family than Skype mobile.”

Skype-to-Skype calls and chats are unlimited and free when initiated with Skype mobile from a Verizon Wireless 3G Smartphone with a data plan to any of the more than 580 million Skype users anywhere in the world. The calls run on the United States’ largest and most reliable wireless voice network, providing outstanding call quality and allowing the app to work with traditional voice products, including Bluetooth® headsets. Skype mobile calls made to domestic landline and wireless numbers use minutes from customers’ voice plans, and Skype mobile calls to international numbers are charged Skype’s low, international rates.

Customers with DROID smartphones can download the highly rated app from the Verizon Channel in Android Market™, and customers with certain BlackBerry® smartphones can download it from www.skype.com/vzw using their smartphones’ browsers. Customers can also text “SKYPE” to 2255 to get a message with the link to download Skype mobile.

For more info on Skype mobile, visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile. For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

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