Is this really a surprise to people?

[constellanation]

So this is one of millions of simple blogs that have popped up on my reader that says the same sentiment. "No VoIP! Than I'm not getting the phone."

http://albphone.com/voip-blog/2008/1...-voip-on-it-9/

My question is are people really expecting a phone released by a major cell phone provider to offer this option? Wouldn't that directly conflict with their business. Isn't that why people unlock their phones? Am I missing something?

[trueabid]

ya some people are weird, why the hell would it straight up offer voip, I'm sure in the future their will be ways to get it, probably not from the android market but their will be a way. Obviously Tmobile isnt going to screw itself over by offering close to free calling.

[Cricketman]

Skype is on the market though, I think.

[constellanation]

If skype is on the market, how would that work in a manner that t-mobile would be comfortable with? I mean could we all scrap our phone plans and just keep the data plan?
Excuse my ignorance on the subject I've never used any voip, unlimited calling with no long distance fees is good enough for me. If you're making a call with voip does the other person have to be using voip as well or can you mix it up?

Just seems that voip offered on a phone by tmobile, verizon, att whoever is just very very unlikely anywhere in the near future.

[damnitpud]

I've never used any voip, unlimited calling with no long distance fees is good enough for me. If you're making a call with voip does the other person have to be using voip as well or can you mix it up?

Just seems that voip offered on a phone by tmobile, verizon, att whoever is just very very unlikely anywhere in the near future.

Skype has a mobile client for Windows Mobile, but it only works on WiFi or 3G. The phone companies don't like the idea of Skype being on their devices but they are, hopefully it drives the prices down on mobile minutes eventually.

Also, if you have a Skype account you can make calls to any phone number.

[Bratman]

It's my understanding that you can call Skype customers/users but it costs you minutes, it's in the market place, it lays down the restrictions...

[Cranky Bear]

I have Vonage, and no, the other person doesn't have to have VoIP. I completely agree that it's idiotic to assume that VoIP should work over the cellphone, though it's a nice feature if you can find a workaround. Traditional landlines don't offer this for normal services, because it would cut into their profit.

[CodyD]

Skype is a cool service but that wouldnt stop me from buying the G1, its not that big of a deal

[constellanation]

I just did some reading up on skype, and it looks all fairly interesting (and cheap.) It seems most cost effective (and time effective considering the extra steps) if you make many international calls. Other then that I may get it for my computer and make some video to video calls, which is pretty sweet.
I guess I'm just not ready for this technology on my cell phone, so tmobile doesn't have to worry about me leaving for the time being.

[shmokinponcake]

So this is one of millions of simple blogs that have popped up on my reader that says the same sentiment. "No VoIP! Than I'm not getting the phone."

http://albphone.com/voip-blog/2008/1...-voip-on-it-9/

My question is are people really expecting a phone released by a major cell phone provider to offer this option? Wouldn't that directly conflict with their business. Isn't that why people unlock their phones? Am I missing something?

It is really just speculation that VoIP would be a major conflict with T-mobile's business. The reality is that no one has ever used Skype on a mobile phone and no one knows how often it would make sense to do so. In all likelihood, people would rely on Skype when they leave the country or in somewhat rare circumstances. I can definitely understand why T-mobile would err on the side of caution, but thats all they are doing since it is just speculation at this point. I really believe that the people who would rely on Skype the majority of the time would be few and far between. It will be interesting too see when someone inevitebly makes an app for Skype that allows VoIP w/o using minutes whether or not T-mobile throws down the gavel/activates kill switch.