As most of you know already, Apple has lifted the restrictions against making VoIP calls over a 3G connection, and a handful of apps have already “flipped a switch” behind the scenes to enable such calls. However, the most high-profile VoIP app on the App Store, Skype, has yet to follow suit.
Skype has posted an update on their blog regarding their progress on enabling VoIP over 3G. According to the company, 3G calling is coming “soon” along with a few other updates that will ensure that both the app itself and the calls it makes remain high-quality.
The next Skype update will include a call quality indicator for the 3G network similar to the one they already have for Wi-Fi connections — depending on the strength of your network connection, the indicator will show green, yellow, or red, giving you a rough idea of what quality to expect out of calls on your current network. Skype is also working on implementing a “wideband audio” codec for calls, which the company says will allow for “CD quality sound” on Skype-to-Skype calls. From the sounds of the video below, however, this feature will only be coming to the iPhone 3GS and iPod touch; it’s probable that the iPhone 3G and original iPhone lack the processing power necessary to drive Skype’s wideband audio codec.
Since the announcement of the lifting of VoIP over 3G restrictions, much speculation has surrounded the possible implementation of VoIP calls on the iPad. The iPad has a microphone, speaker, and Bluetooth, all of which, when paired with a very competitively priced pay-as-you-go and contract-free 3G data plan, make the iPad a very compelling alternative to the iPhone. Skype says it is indeed investigating a Skype for iPad app, but at this very early stage, no further details are available.
We’ll keep you posted on the Skype app and let you know when it’s updated as soon as we find out. In the meantime, you can watch this brief video from the guys at Skype, where they discuss their progress on the app.
Skype 3G update coming ’soon’ originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Skype 3G update coming ’soon’ originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
[via | The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)]
1° 
by ohyeahilovegirlz
, on February 4 2010
@ 4:25 am
You shit me not right?? 4G networks are already launching !! Faster network = better calls
by desikitteh
, on February 4 2010
@ 5:17 am
very hard to hear this video.
by larinalaraine292
, on February 4 2010
@ 3:06 pm
ive always wanted to get with a cowboy theyre so sexy
by ted510
, on February 4 2010
@ 3:24 pm
Please add push notifications for iPhone. I would also appreciate if you could bring back “Skype Me” mode because it was a really good feature. And please update the Mac version of Skype. Thank you.
by Punkfloyd3
, on February 4 2010
@ 11:53 pm
Multi Video Conferencing plz! Everyone has a webcam, but can’t all video chat at once… IT SUCKS!!!
by carlos1234567898765
, on February 5 2010
@ 3:00 am
very exiting, a lot of big cellphone network services are going to go down if people wake up to the awesomeness of skype
by Dahlheim
, on February 5 2010
@ 3:10 am
Nobody wants to be running Skype in the background fully all the time, you need to add push notifications so that people can keep Skype closed and still get calls somehow
by LouieSamman
, on February 6 2010
@ 10:40 am
Skype needs push notification when they receive a call for now until apple allows apps to run in the background even when closed. No one wants to leave skype opened on their iPhone. Then they won’t be able to use their iPhone on any other apps.
by Elementofdeath
, on February 6 2010
@ 1:10 pm
It should. The ebay app does that even if it’s locked.
by AdPhone2009
, on February 8 2010
@ 1:29 pm
Hey Guys,I just found a awesome website…The thing is if You Visit this website and click on the FIRST BLUE link it will ask You for your skype user nameThis is the websiteDoeswhat (dot) infoAfter that You will be able to make FREE unlimited Skype calls to any landline + mobile phone worldwide for FREE !!Remember just click the first BLUE LINK and enjoy unlimited Skype calls !!Hope it helps…Good bless ya
by AdPhone2009
, on February 8 2010
@ 1:29 pm
Hey Guys,I just found a awesome website…
The thing is if You Visit this website and click on the FIRST BLUE link it will ask You for your skype user name
This is the website
Doeswhat (dot) info
After that You will be able to make FREE unlimited Skype calls to any landline + mobile phone worldwide for FREE !!
Remember just click the first BLUE LINK
and enjoy unlimited Skype calls !!
Hope it helps…Good bless ya
by patpbiz
, on February 23 2010
@ 11:44 am
Soon when ??????????? Dats wat he needs to say… Verizon is probably paying Skype to keep it off the iphone… SOON WHEN ???? DATS ALL I NEED TO KNOW
by Entropy56
, on March 3 2010
@ 8:14 am
Let us face it; the iPhone sucks. Wait a few years for the next generation that can actually do something useful.
by ltcolglennr
, on March 27 2010
@ 10:06 am
The title should be changed to “Skype calling over 3G on iphone–not coming anytime soon. We decided to deceive everyone and accept Verizon’s bribe.”
by JMCofSwe
, on March 30 2010
@ 4:29 pm
“the simple answer is soon”Its SOON april and nothing yet…. COME ON!!!
by JMCofSwe
, on March 30 2010
@ 4:29 pm
“the simple answer is soon”
Its SOON april and nothing yet…. COME ON!!!
by Tuaregoxffff
, on April 6 2010
@ 8:08 am
New version in iTunes store: still no Push, still no 3G, declared as “iPad tested”, but not a single UI change. Pathetic
by artemvsoloviev
, on April 9 2010
@ 10:47 am
I have been using Skype (daily) since January 2004… This will all boil down to Skype over 3G on mobile ! Yeaaaaaahhhhh !!!!!!! This is the future !!!!!!!
by artemvsoloviev
, on April 9 2010
@ 10:47 am
I have been using Skype (daily) since January 2004… This will all boil down to Skype over 3G on mobile ! Yeaaaaaahhhhh !!!!!!! This is the future !!!!!!!
by iJeffStudios
, on May 25 2010
@ 3:40 pm
It’s been 111 days, 19 hours, and 9 minutes since Skype announced that this 3G version was going to be release. So Skype – where is it? Huh?
by magicalgal99
, on September 2 2010
@ 8:19 pm
hey ive got the iphone 3GS and ive just downloaded skype on it….but when my cousin tried to call me….she has skype…it charged her alot…shouldnt it be free? she did call me from skype on her mobile….does that affect it?