Skype now available for Palm OS... via EQO

Well, well, welcome to 2004 Palm OS users with the announcement that EQO's Mobile for Skype client now supports Treo 600 and Treo 650 devices. Sorry, this isn’t a full-featured Skype client (not that we expected one, ever) loooong available for PocketPC devices. Rather, EQO is now providing a beta J2ME client for your Palm OS device which must run along-side a PC plugin (yes, your PC must be running and connected to Skype for this to work) all linking up with EQO’s service to bridge the whole shebang and provide users the ability to make and receive Skype calls, send IMs, and view their Skype buddies' on-line status. Hey, no one said it would be easy... but judging by feedback in the EQO community forum, it seems to work.

[Via Palm Infocenter]

[LapTop @ Apr 13th 2006 7:23AM]

I think Skype for Palm OS is good and I'm looking for it. I will buy a Treo 650 soon and did search on internet and found that there's no Skype for Palm YET. What I expect is to use 650 like I did with my old HP 2210 using bluetooth, how disappointing when I found it's not supported. I think the processor speed for Treo 650 and the up coming 700p is fast enough to do skype call with it, and rumor said the upcoming 700p is using the same CPU as 650 and *STILL* on Palm OS 5, so I don't think Palm is discontinuing OS 5 at this time.

[Pam @ Apr 13th 2006 7:44AM]

The Palm OS is just complete rubbish now. What we need from the new owners is a total rebuild, retaining the same ease of use and stability but with things like an inbuilt Skype client, DECENT FONTS, proper browser, etc.

And before all you Palm fanboys accuse me of bias and loving Mr Gates, I love Palms - had a T, T3 and now a T5. However I don't use it because the Palm OS on it looks like a relic from the 1970's.

Oh - and can we please have a decent bit of hardware, too? What about the classic Psion clamshell layout - with a keyboard - then the Palm people would be onto a winner. We've had the small tablet form shoved down our throats, and with the biggest hyped-up waste of space disappointment ever - the Origami - failing miserably, the world is still crying out for a small portable PDA with a keyboard. Or at least I am.

[Tijs @ Apr 13th 2006 7:55AM]

If it's only for Palm, why is the phone on the picture a Sony Ericsson K700 ?

[Matt @ Apr 13th 2006 8:57AM]

Personally, I love my 650. I went though a number of 600's, with marginal success. The 650 came in and i haven't looked back. It is truly the device I need. Sure, I have some wishes, I would like better bluetooth, a better browser (How about a palm firefox) It could certainly use greater internal memory. But, it handles what I need and more. The addition of Skype, as I am a road warrior, can only be a good addition. I'm sure that the software for Palm will improve, and the feature set will hopefully not tie me to the laptop for too long.

[Dennis @ Apr 13th 2006 9:07AM]

Could somebody explain how this works? TCP/IP connection over the phone's inet connection to Skype client? Or over phone net? The article is too busy being engadget-smarmy that it leaves out how it all works.

(i'll be less snippy after my coffee)

[TheCaptain @ Apr 13th 2006 9:21AM]

Am I the only one that wants Skype on the PSP? Just think about it!

[navamske @ Apr 13th 2006 9:29AM]

Cool, the person using that device knows Wendy Carlos (of "Switched On Bach" fame).

[sam @ Apr 13th 2006 9:54AM]

Ha! I cought the Wendy Carlos thing too - that's got to be on purpose - nice.

[Zeno Davatz @ Apr 13th 2006 10:36AM]

Ok, I tried to install this on my Treo 600. The Treo 600 is not yet supported. The Treo 650 is. Also the Java-Kit you need for the Treo 600 is not free. They want something like $6 for it. The Java-Kit for the Treo 650 is again free.

I also tried to install it on a Sony Ericsson i700. After configuring WAP, I got a WAP message from EQO and that installed the Java I need. Once I tried to connect the connection took for ever. The installation seemed to work.

As far as I can figure you need a constant GPRS connection for EOQ to work. They write in thier FAQ that you should subscribe to an unlimited Wireless-Data plan...

Check it out.

[awaybbl @ Apr 13th 2006 11:43AM]

I loaded this up this morning. It's not what I thought it would be.

I had expected it to be a Skype client, but what it really is is a call redirector. You can't use it to make real VoIP calls to your Skype buddies.

What it does is connects to your Skype (running on your PC) and when you want to call one of your buddies, it "calls-through" your desktop. You will be charged Skype minutes for the call, and also your wireless call will be charged against your wireless voice plan. Your wireless data plan will also be charged for the data that is sent between your EQO session, and your desktop(for IM, and presence information)

The only real value would be if you do a lot of international calling where the Skype rates are much better than most wireless carriers.

[Aaron Fisher @ Apr 13th 2006 4:18PM]

Didnt work for me.

[Graham Brown-Martin @ Apr 14th 2006 4:00AM]

Skype for Palm OS is long over due. The only problem with the EQO solution is that it isn't. Why would a Treo user want this convoluted way of making an existing telephone make lower quality voice calls?

Because it's free? But unless I'm missing something vital aren't Treo users paying for the data connection over cellular? Besides after the Beta. EQO are going to be charging for this client.

What the Palm community really needs is a proper Skype client running on the Palm Tungsten T/X or LifeDrive using their built-in WiFi. In the meantime they'll have to use MobiVoip (http://mobivoip.net/).

It can't be the size of the market or volume of devices because Palm have been shipping plenty and the chipset inside the latest range is more than powerful enough. So, the big question here is why haven't Skype supported the Palm OS community?

[dwain @ Apr 14th 2006 6:46AM]

Just tried it on my Nokia 6680. Seems OK, the interface is a little fiddly. Its useful for sending text messages to Skype users who are not available through Agile Messenger contacts. And as stated above, if you are in a country where you get ripped off for International phone calls, like the UK you can use Skype for conferencing. Here in HK IDD rates are very cheap, so unless you want to call someone who is ONLY on Skype its not much use. I will add it to my huge Telecoms reportoire until they start charging!

[jotek @ Apr 14th 2006 8:16AM]

I downloaded and tried the client a few days before this article. It works, although still in early beta stages. They are looking for people to test it and put in feedback at this point. I was able to sucessfully make a few calls. What it does is uses skype on your pc to call the person and then call you and bridge it in a conference call.
The touchscreen parts of it are not implemented yet on the treo 650, except for the two buttons at the bottom, but they are working on it.
Also, you don't have to actually have the client on all the time. Only if you want to make a call, or, if you have an unlimited plan, you can take a call if someone rings you. I don't have such a plan, so I just log on every once in a while to check for missed calls.
Also, it is for a number of phones, just that the client for the 650 came out very recently.
check the site out. The designers are super at replying to questions and problems, usually within a couple of hours.
-jotek

[Josh @ Apr 14th 2006 2:09PM]

So I use the Internet (via GPRS) or Bluetooth (via computer) to make a call via my Treo 650?

Why the hell wouldn't I just make a call (over GSM or CDMA network) via the Treo 650's phone app like I always have?

This seems quite backwards convoluted, like "voice calls via Yahoo IM." I USE IM BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TALK to people. Or I'm already on the phone. Duh.

[sedat @ Jun 7th 2007 6:35PM]

i have palm tx use skype in that palm...please inform me ..

[sedat @ Jun 7th 2007 6:40PM]

i have palm tx...can i use skype in that model?? please inform me
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