Skype for iPhone v Fring
I’ve just been playing with the new, official Skype for iPhone application, which has been a long time coming. I currently use Fring.
I decided to use a SkypeIn number for my business some time ago, I was in temporary accommodation. I get a Manchester (0161) number and voicemail, so it suits my requirements. Receiving calls on my computer is quite nice, as the MacBook’s in-built mike is quite intelligent – no echo. Sadly, on occasion, the calls do drop without warning. I think that this is more an issue with my ISP/router.
Recently, I’ve begun to use Fring for receiving calls. Connected through my wireless network, it works great. So long as the application has been launched, it receives calls to my SkypeIn number and also to my mobile number. And if I wish to make a call out, the application lets me dial through o2 rather than Skype. Of course, I can also use SkypeOut to dial cheap rate calls if required.
The official Skype application is similar, and has a nicer, more responsive interface. It also lets me receive mobile calls when the application is active, and make SkypeOut calls. Like Fring, I can look up contacts in my address book. And like Fring, this is pointless unless you’ve entered international dialling codes for all your freinds!
I don’t use Skype for chats very often, but this feature exists with both. The official application also lets me change my online status, not that I ever do this. I can check my Skype credit and quickly link to the web page to top up credit, but I can’t do this from within the application. I’m sure this will come with time as the next version of the iPhone software introduces micropayments.
There is one thing that Fring does do better. If I put my iPhone to sleep with the application launched, I can still hear when a call comes in. (It’s then a scramble to unlock the phone in time to answer the call). With the official application, I get no notification, and the call goes straight to voicemail. This is quite a big omission in my opinion. It only takes a few days of ownership of an iPhone to learn that the battery drains very quickly when not put to sleep. I could keep the iPhone connected to my laptop to preserve the battery.
For now, I think ‘ll continue to use the trusty application installed on my laptop. Skype on the iPhone is still a bit of a fudge.
