Are Carriers Delaying The S60 Mobile Version Of Skype?

Darla Mack asks a great question: Where is the <a href="http://www.symbian.com/">Symbian</a> version of <a href="http://www.skype.com/">Skype</a>? While Symbian smartphone users wait the <a href="http://www.gizmoproject.com/">Gizmo Project</a> is already available for the N800, N95, N80ie and E61i. Will Gizmo become the Skype of the S60 smartphone world?

Stephen Wellman, Contributor

May 31, 2007

1 Min Read
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Darla Mack asks a great question: Where is the Symbian version of Skype? While Symbian smartphone users wait the Gizmo Project is already available for the N800, N95, N80ie and E61i. Will Gizmo become the Skype of the S60 smartphone world?Darla drills down on the issue:

It seems to me that Gizmo has become the front runner and people have stopped waiting on Skype to appear. In a sense I can see why... beyond the fact that its just taking too long to arrive.

On a daily basis I use many different devices.... the N95, N800, N75 and of course my laptop. I recently installed Gizmo Project to my laptop. The one thing that binds all of my devices together in the Gizmo Project is my SIP Id. I don't have to worry about being reachable because I have different means.

This fluidity of the SIP ID points out Gizmo's advantages -- as well as the greater flexibility of SIP-based telephony. No more phone numbers, just one ID that works across a multitude of devices, from your office phone to your smartphone to your laptop. I have a feeling this scenario keeps the carriers up at night. And it may explain why Skype hasn't released an S60 client. I wonder if the carriers have somehow convinced Skype's parent, eBay, to delay this product. As a startup, Gizmo may not be as swayed by this pressure as eBay.

What do you think? Is Skype's inability to get out a mobile version due to pressure from wireless carriers?

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