iPod skype w/video, iPod Touch (or iPhone)

vonCZ · 09-14-2010, 03:49 AM

It appears that Skype w/video isn't available on iPhones or the iPod Touch. Can someone clue me in as to why this is the case? Is Skype, Inc. just lazin' about on this? Or is Apple refusing to allow Skype to distribute a video-version, so as to try to shift people over to Facetime?

I'm visiting the States again in October and am considering purchasing an iPod Touch; my iPad is an excellent eReader, but I jog home from work everyday and am thus unable to carry the iPad with me to work (because i can't jog with it back home). An iPod Touch, on the other hand, could easily make the journey with me both ways; but to justify a $400 purchase I would need a fully-functioning version of Skype on it... and, frankly, it just really ticks me off that Apple would limit Skype in this way, if that's what they're doing.

Any insights and prognostications appreciated...

Graham · 09-14-2010, 03:51 AM

Deleted. Misread the original post, sorry.

Graham

bbusybookworm · 09-18-2010, 07:32 PM

From what I understand and speculate there are a couple of reasons for Skype not having Video calling on their iPhone Client.

First the practical version, that the First iPhone / iPod Touch with a front facing camera (Which you really need if you want to do video chat) was just launched 3-4 months ago. It takes time to develop a feature to take advantage of new hardware, especially as I don't know how restrictive Apple is with third part access to the cameras. The new iPod touch has only been out for a few weeks, and it is that product that really opens up the option to the masses.

Another possible reason, if you believe the conspiracy theorists, Skype is delaying major features for non Verizon Phones as they signed an exclusive deal (Bar the iPhone I think) with them for Skype on phones, and don't want to offer major features on a phone not on their network.

More likely, they are concentrating more on getting Video calling overall to work better, as shown by the Beta multi user video calling that's just come out for pc , and also on working on a way to get paid for the Video calling as they want to make / keep the service profitable.

I personally wish that they would add that feature, as like you I'm very much dependent on Skype, and need a good skype client on my phone. I'm looking to upgrade my Ipone 3G and the main question I'm asking of all possible options is a decent skype client.

JeremyZ · 09-20-2010, 02:20 PM

It might be that Skype it is much more demanding than the super-simple video chat app that Apple has developed, as far as hardware power is concerned and they haven't figured it out just yet.

But my bet is that they're developing it right now. They just didn't have the advanced notice that Apple did, so it is not ready yet.

We'll see.

vonCZ · 09-21-2010, 01:47 AM

thanks. Maybe ya'll are right, but I would've thought something like this would be very simple to develop: 1) skype for iOS is already there, 2) skype w/video on other platforms is already there. Seems like 3) merging the two would be easy-peasy... but, admittedly, I know little-to-nothing about iOS or video (from an application developer's viewpoint).

as for hardware: again, I don't know the details vis-a-vis bus speeds, cpu speed, cache, etc, but my guess is the iPad is as capable a streaming video device as my 3-year-old netbook... and thus exceptionally sophisticated algorithms to compress & uncompress video snaps aren't necessary.

i don't mean to argue; just wondering aloud.

murraypaul · 09-21-2010, 05:02 AM

One of Apple's reasons for rejecting apps is that that duplicate existing system functionality. I would have thought that they would reject video-Skype for that reason, to have people use FaceTime instead.

vonCZ · 09-21-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murraypaul

One of Apple's reasons for rejecting apps is that that duplicate existing system functionality. I would have thought that they would reject video-Skype for that reason, to have people use FaceTime instead.

i don't think this really applies here: the difference between Skype and FaceTime are as great as the difference between iBooks and Stanza... much *more* so, in fact: for the vast majority of calls for the vast majority of users, FaceTime is absolutely useless... whereas video-Skype has a sizable user-base.

If Apple is, in fact, rejecting video-Skype, it's certainly not to avoid cluttering up our iDevices with redundant software.

ps- are you a geophysicist?

murraypaul · 09-21-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vonCZ

ps- are you a geophysicist?

No, and nor do I play one on TV

09-14-2010, 03:49 AM	#1
vonCZ Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 286 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rakovnik, Czech Device: iPad, iPhone 4	skype w/video, iPod Touch (or iPhone) It appears that Skype w/video isn't available on iPhones or the iPod Touch. Can someone clue me in as to why this is the case? Is Skype, Inc. just lazin' about on this? Or is Apple refusing to allow Skype to distribute a video-version, so as to try to shift people over to Facetime? I'm visiting the States again in October and am considering purchasing an iPod Touch; my iPad is an excellent eReader, but I jog home from work everyday and am thus unable to carry the iPad with me to work (because i can't jog with it back home). An iPod Touch, on the other hand, could easily make the journey with me both ways; but to justify a $400 purchase I would need a fully-functioning version of Skype on it... and, frankly, it just really ticks me off that Apple would limit Skype in this way, if that's what they're doing. Any insights and prognostications appreciated...

09-14-2010, 03:51 AM	#2
Graham Wizard Posts: 2,743 Karma: 32912427 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Yorkshire, UK Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus	Deleted. Misread the original post, sorry. Graham

09-18-2010, 07:32 PM	#3
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	From what I understand and speculate there are a couple of reasons for Skype not having Video calling on their iPhone Client. First the practical version, that the First iPhone / iPod Touch with a front facing camera (Which you really need if you want to do video chat) was just launched 3-4 months ago. It takes time to develop a feature to take advantage of new hardware, especially as I don't know how restrictive Apple is with third part access to the cameras. The new iPod touch has only been out for a few weeks, and it is that product that really opens up the option to the masses. Another possible reason, if you believe the conspiracy theorists, Skype is delaying major features for non Verizon Phones as they signed an exclusive deal (Bar the iPhone I think) with them for Skype on phones, and don't want to offer major features on a phone not on their network. More likely, they are concentrating more on getting Video calling overall to work better, as shown by the Beta multi user video calling that's just come out for pc , and also on working on a way to get paid for the Video calling as they want to make / keep the service profitable. I personally wish that they would add that feature, as like you I'm very much dependent on Skype, and need a good skype client on my phone. I'm looking to upgrade my Ipone 3G and the main question I'm asking of all possible options is a decent skype client.

09-20-2010, 02:20 PM	#4
JeremyZ Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 1000702 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chicago Device: Nook ST, Kindle 2, Samsung Galaxy Stellar phone	It might be that Skype it is much more demanding than the super-simple video chat app that Apple has developed, as far as hardware power is concerned and they haven't figured it out just yet. But my bet is that they're developing it right now. They just didn't have the advanced notice that Apple did, so it is not ready yet. We'll see.

09-21-2010, 01:47 AM	#5
vonCZ Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 286 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rakovnik, Czech Device: iPad, iPhone 4	thanks. Maybe ya'll are right, but I would've thought something like this would be very simple to develop: 1) skype for iOS is already there, 2) skype w/video on other platforms is already there. Seems like 3) merging the two would be easy-peasy... but, admittedly, I know little-to-nothing about iOS or video (from an application developer's viewpoint). as for hardware: again, I don't know the details vis-a-vis bus speeds, cpu speed, cache, etc, but my guess is the iPad is as capable a streaming video device as my 3-year-old netbook... and thus exceptionally sophisticated algorithms to compress & uncompress video snaps aren't necessary. i don't mean to argue; just wondering aloud.

09-21-2010, 05:02 AM	#6
murraypaul Interested Bystander Posts: 3,725 Karma: 19728152 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Note 4, Kobo One	One of Apple's reasons for rejecting apps is that that duplicate existing system functionality. I would have thought that they would reject video-Skype for that reason, to have people use FaceTime instead.

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