Skype EQO(es) on mobile phones

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Skype tentacles are expanding outside the Internet. One more time. But this time, it’s because EQO Communications, a Canadian start-up rolls out a mobile service that enables Skype users to exchange instant messages in addition to making VoIP calls over a wireless network. Quite nice, isn’t it, but what makes it even sweeter is the exhaustive list of phone handsets that could support the software: 40 different models from various vendors including Nokia, Motorola and Sony-Ericsson.

Currently, the software is in beta testing but could be freely downloaded. Technically, it combines a phone-resident J2ME client and a presence-enabled Voice-over-IP (VoIP) signaling network. That makes a lot of mobile phones in the world. About 150 million handsets, claims the company.

So far EQO features are: Skype users would be allowed to send and receive text messages to other Skype users via their mobile phones, launch voice conference calls, and check the status of other members. Add to this the standard features such as calling, incoming call management, and contact list sync.

Skype-centric

But why Skype only? Is EQO a spin-off from Skype Corporation? Answer from Andrew Bell, EQO Communications’ Vice President for Marketing and Alliance: “Skype users are consistently requesting this key feature.” Why not a client build of top of the Jabber protocol? It’s stable and open source. Another answer from Mr. Bell: “What they don’t do is have any voice-centric context and what’s where we stand above the crowd,” he said.

Those who disagree with these statements, raise your hands.

(read)

Mar 17, 2006 | By Nuno

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8 comments

  • #0 Marco Antonio Segura:

  • Tengo un Nokia 6255i se podria tener servicio de Skipe en el celular ya que lo uso bastante en la PC.Gracias por la respuesta

  • #1 21talks:

  • Hi Marco. Glad to hear something speaking Spanish over here. We did look for some details to know if your Nokia 6255i is suitable for the EQO software. Well, sorry to say that, we came back with empty news. EQO guys says they have added support to more mobile phone models: “The Sony-Ericsson K700 line as well as a number of popular Nokia Series 40 and Series 60 phones including the 6111, 6165, 6265, 6265i, 6270, 6280, 7370.” So if the Nokia 6265i and your N6255i shares some Java functionalities, this could work. But don’t take this for granted.

  • #2 Mark MILLER:

  • Come si skarika?

  • #3 21talks:

  • Sorry Mark, we’re skipped our Italian classes. If you did say: do we know Skarika? Well, the answer is… no, we don’t. What is it?

  • #4 21talks:

  • Marco, here what Chris Richardson, one of the EQO guys, told us about the N6255:

    The Nokia 6255 is a CDMA phone. EQO Currently works with only GSM phones, so no support for now.

  • #5 Antonio:

  • hi Marco,how are you?…well,i really do have a question for you and this is: are you the same Marco Antonio Segura who used to be the lider of creacion y vida at sn martin tex pue?
    if you are.,,,hiiiii…!!!!!!
    if you are not, sorry bothering you.

  • #6 Nuno:

  • Hey guys, I bring the beers. Wanna party online?!? ;)

  • #7 Antonio:

  • hola marco, ya hace un tiempo te deje una pregunta aqui, para saber si tu eres el mismo marco antonio segura que conoci en sn martin puebla mex. solo queria saludarte .y pense que te daria gusto mis saludos…bueno si lees este mensaje, escribeme siquiera para saber si eres la misma persona a la cual me refiero. gracias!!!

21talksTracking the telecoms evolution