Buzz Watch: Will iPod Touch + Skype Make the iPhone Redundant?

Authored by Jay Baage on September 6, 2007 - 10:28pm.

The new iPod Touch gives the user the ability to surf the Internet via WiFi access. This brings up an interesting question – is it possible to get Skype on the iPod Touch and call for a lower fee or even for free? If so, do you need an iPhone or a wireless provider, really?

Shape Services has already developed a Skype client for the iPhone, allowing the low cost Internet calling service to be used when you're connected to a Wi-fi network. The service is accessed by iPhone users through the Safari browser on the phone, by pointing the browser to skypeforiphone.com.

The question now is, will this service at least theoretically work on an iPod Touch? Of course, you would need a customized headset that would let you talk as well as hear the person you are calling, that issue aside, this is an interesting issue. It should already be possible to get emails and IMs on the iPod Touch.

When you think about it, would Steve Jobs mind if someone used the new iPod Touch to make calls when they are in an area that is equipped with WiFi? Probably not. After he lowered the price of the iPhone, the margins can’t be that different on the two devices and Apple makes its money from selling hardware, not airtime.

In fact, Steve Jobs only commented on the broader issue of cannibalization between the iPhone and iPod Touch yesterday with the somewhat vague answer:
"If anybody is going to cannibalize us, I want it to be us. I don't want it to be a competitor."

While Apple’s network partner AT&T might have something to say about this, you can’t stop the future from happening. There are already a number of Skype-enabled cell phones out there and why should not Apple get a piece of this market?

Joakim Baage

Published in DMW Daily, September 7, 2007

Previous story: Waiter, the iPhone Tastes a Little Fishy
Next story: Measurement: Creating A Social Media Impact Factor

Email this page

add to:

del.icio.us |

digg | Yahoo! MyWeb | Slashdot

Comments

It's Touch iPOD not iPHONE

Submitted by Xyeres (not verified) on September 7, 2007 - 12:35am.

Interesting article. However please fix the type: "Touch iPhone" IT should read: "Touch iPOD".

Fixed. Thanks for pointing

Submitted by Jay Baage on September 7, 2007 - 1:03am.

Fixed. Thanks for pointing it out.
/Jay Baage

Please fix your type: IT

Submitted by jimmy (not verified) on September 9, 2007 - 2:11am.

Please fix your type: IT should read it. Ya pedantic bollix.

IM+ is low cost NOT free

Submitted by JP White (not verified) on September 7, 2007 - 12:23pm.

I have IM+ on the Blackberry. Calls are not free as implied in your article. Instead the IM+ app contacts the Skype cloud and Skype calls your mobile in a conference with the party you want to speak to. Skypeout rates apply for the callback to your mobile. Shape services website says the following "IM+ for Skype is based on SkypeOut service that allows users to make and receive calls for a low fee." JP

Re IM+

Submitted by Jay Baage on September 7, 2007 - 10:20pm.

It is great to get some input from an actual IM+ user. You are right, in its current version, you are charged a small fee for using this service. I'll make sure that is reflected in the article. It doesn't change my point though - new WiFi enabled devices such as the iPod Touch have the potential to cannibalize sales of iPhones - if you can make calls using free or low cost Internet-services instead of having to sign a two-year contract and paying for more expensive airtime to a wireless carrier.
/Jay Baage

Re IM+

Submitted by Louis (not verified) on September 8, 2007 - 7:42am.

This would be a great option for people who might occasionally make an IM call but don't need a $60/month plan (the minimum AT&T offers with the iPhone). It would be nice if I could occasionally make a VOIP call from my iPod Touch. Right now I can do more than what the iPod Touch does with my Windows Mobile PDA but I hate the interface. I can also make skype calls from my PDA. I would gladly replace my PDA with an iPod Touch + Skype.

Great!

Submitted by Alicia (not verified) on September 10, 2007 - 10:00am.

This is good news.... I didn't really want to lock into a $60 per month contract with AT&T for 2 years.

sorta possible

Submitted by Tom Keating (not verified) on September 12, 2007 - 7:23am.

I covered this as well last week. http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/voip/skype-on-the-apple-ipod-tou... You can't do voice over IP on the touch, however you can have Skype presence and IM functionality. It's a start.