Comments on: New Skype Solution for Palm OS Treos

Interesting idea, but I still don't understand how this works? Does it use your cell service to connect? But then what is the point of Skype without wifi?

Take a Treo. Rip out the cell phone circuitry and antenna. Replace it entirely with WiFI hardware. Then, partner with Skype to develop true Skype calling support.

Instant Skype phone, while other companies are still struggling to release Skype-enabled wifi phones. Plus, this would offer all the advantages of a PalmOS or WinMob PDA, without being tied to a cellular contract service.

It may not be a huge market, compared to corporate types who need true cell phones, but they could beat the other players in the wifi phone market into the ground.

Smartphones: Not ready for prime time - yet
Consumers may be a difficult market for smartphone makers to crack, analysts say.
By Grace Wong, CNNMoney.com staff writer
September 20 2006: 11:00 AM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Smartphone makers are aiming to extend their reach beyond corporate walls, but consumers may not heed the call.

Phones that support email and other applications have been booming. Some 123 million units are forecast to be shipped worldwide this year, giving smartphones almost a 15 percent share of the mobile phone market, according to tech research firm ABI Research.

Smartphones offer it all - users can access e-mail, open attachments, work on spreadsheets and organize their calendars with a single device. It's no wonder then they've won popularity among business professionals, but now handset manufacturers have consumers on their mind, who may be more difficult to win over, analysts said.

"We're absolutely seeing more fairly sophisticated devices that were once only tools for executives going mainstream with consumer features as well as consumer marketing," said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at Jupiter Research.

Many of the latest smartphones to be launched emphasize features important to consumers, such as camera phones, MP3 players and instant messaging, he said.

Part of the reason consumers may be hesitant to pick up multimedia devices: cost. Most people aren't ready to fork over the usual $300 to $500 for a smartphone, plus take on the additional cost of a monthly plan, said Neil Strother, research director for mobile devices at market research firm NPD Group.

More lower-cost alternatives are hitting the market - Nokia (Charts) said its recently unveiled E62, which will be available from Cingular next week, will sell for as low as $150.

The Motorola (Charts) Q and Research in Motion's (Charts) recently launched BlackBerry Pearl also offer models in the $200 range.

But the productivity applications on these devices are primarily a business benefit, Bill Hughes, a principal analyst with research firm In-Stat, said. "Targeting consumer applications for a business device is a mistake," he said.

The devices also have a tough image to overcome. Smartphones have been aimed at corporate users and they've been marketed as a way to get more organized and improve productivity. "That just might not be as fun and sexy as watching videos or listening to music," NPD's Strother said.

But handset makers are making an effort to make their devices more consumer-friendly. The BlackBerry Pearl, which debuted earlier this month, comes with a digital camera, MP3 player and compact design.

As more functionality is packed into these phones, more individuals will buy them, Gartenberg said. "Look for prices to drop, features to increase and more sleek forms to emerge," he added.

And while there are people who want to play on their phone and those who want to work on their phone, eventually there's going to be a blending of the two, said Kathleen Maher, senior analyst at market research firm Jon Peddie Research.

It's too early to tell whether smartphone manufacturers are gaining any traction among consumers, but the upcoming holiday season could help turn the tide.

"There hasn't been a huge uptake so far, but the Christmas season could change that. We'll have to wait and see," Strother said.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/19/technology/smartphones_consumers/index.htm?postversion=2006092011

Skype and iSkoot Sign Co-Marketing Agreement for the iSkoot Mobile Solution

iSkoot’s mobile solution to benefit handset manufacturers, carriers and Skype ends users

CAMBRIDGE, MA – August 8, 2006 – iSkoot, the service provider for mobile Internet communications solutions , today announced the signing of a Co-Marketing Agreement with Skype, the global Internet communications company, for iSkoot’s solution for mobile-PC calling. The iSkoot solution will allow mass market Java-phones as well as high-end Smartphones to place and receive Internet calls through Skype™ software from their handsets, without the need for PCs, special hardware, or WiFi hot spots.

As part of the agreement, Skype will certify iSkoot’s mobile solution for making and receiving Skype calls on mobile phones. Once certified the product will be available for download from the iSkoot web site.

“We are looking forward to working closely with Skype to deliver true mobility, free of PCs, special hardware, or WiFi hot spots. We are extremely pleased to be Skype’s partner for delivering a solution that will allow people to use Skype anywhere,” said Jacob Guedalia, Chief Executive Officer, iSkoot. “This agreement benefits everyone, from handset manufacturers and carriers to the tens of millions of Skype users worldwide. By connecting cell and smart phones to Skype, iSkoot software allows handset vendors and mobile operators to gain new PC calling minutes and increase ARPU. Meanwhile, Skype users will enjoy the benefits of Skype on their cell phone. In addition to text messaging, they will be able to place and receive Skype calls from their mobile phones to and from their online contacts.”

iSkoot will help free Skype users from their PCs and allow them to connect with online contacts from anywhere, from supported mobile phones, at any time. In addition, iSkoot will enable Skype users to use SkypeOut™ for inexpensive calls to any phone from their mobile handset. With the iSkoot software, users will be able to take Skype with them wherever they go.

About iSkoot
Headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., iSkoot is a leader in enabling mobile Internet communications. iSkoot extends the reach of Internet communications by allowing users to make and receive PC calls using their mobile phones. With iSkoot, Voice over Internet users are no longer bound to their PCs to make and receive PC calls. iSkoot enables users to take advantage of Internet communications services and buddy systems to make unlimited, superior quality voice calls via next-generation peer-to-peer software from their cell phone. iSkoot uses proprietary technology and has eight patents pending for its unique client server protocol and interfaces, Mobile-to-Skype gateway and integrated presence system. For more information, visit www.iskoot.com.
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iSkoot is a trademark of iSkoot Inc. All other trademarks, service marks and company names are the property of their respective owners.

You can read more info about it here:

http://www.cordless-phones.uk.com/news/

http://www.cordless-phones.uk.com/news/">LiGo News - Find reviews, articles and news about http://www.cordless-phones.uk.com/newest-products/">latest phones to hit the market plus news on VoIP and Skype.