SHAPE Services brings Skype to Apple's iPhone

For those not courageous enough to give the SoonR Talk workaround a go, fret not, as Skype has finally arrived (for realz) on the iPhone. SHAPE Services has introduced IM+ for Skype for iPhone, which is simply a Safari web application that enables one to "access the Skype ecosystem from the mobile environment." Reportedly, the app was "designed especially for the iPhone's touchscreen," and best of all, it's being offered up gratis "for a limited time." So go on, point your iPhone to SkypeforiPhone.com and get to yappin', ya heard?

[mikeypizano @ Aug 13th 2007 3:37PM]

Shame, the jesusPhone cant even run a program EVERY pocket pc can...

[Ant @ Aug 13th 2007 3:41PM]

its not that it cant,its that apple wont let it.(yet)

[Tim Goldsmith @ Aug 13th 2007 3:44PM]

if skype can run well enough on the iPhone, would it make sense to buy an iPhone, unlock it without signing up with AT&T (using one of the methods on the iPhoneDev Wiki), and then using the skype feature whenever you want to make a call on it? or am i missing some obvious flaw in the system?

[The General @ Aug 13th 2007 3:46PM]

That's like saying "Linux can't run Photoshop."

It's not incapable, the program just hasn't been written for it yet.

[Kyle @ Aug 15th 2007 3:33AM]

You could do that. But then you would only be able to make calls when you were connected to a wifi network.

[mike @ Aug 13th 2007 3:48PM]

it cant becuase apple products suck. sorry but its the truth, this thing is a waste of money and you all know it!

[The General @ Aug 13th 2007 3:56PM]

Actually, I am very happy with mine.

[mike @ Aug 13th 2007 4:28PM]

that would be because apple has brainwashed you...

[The General @ Aug 13th 2007 4:37PM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

[George @ Aug 13th 2007 3:51PM]

Does it use minutes like all the others?

[Zoli @ Aug 13th 2007 3:54PM]

The site is down

[gfar @ Aug 13th 2007 3:59PM]

VOIP over WIFI on a cell phone is the greatest invention in the world...I can't wait to have the most basic cell plan ever and stop paying ridiculous rates for minutes/long distance.

[Andrew Rahimi @ Aug 13th 2007 4:00PM]

How exactly can a website send/receive audio through the iPhone like this?

[Argot @ Aug 13th 2007 6:29PM]

You can't. It's just a crappy IM client.

[Taco @ Aug 13th 2007 4:05PM]

The title should read "Skype for Mobile Phone Users." It's an app that works for all mobile phones just not the iPhone. But i guess thats the buzz word these days to generate hits.

[Kevo @ Aug 13th 2007 4:58PM]

The site is down. What the heck!? I want this thing NOW!!

[Sampson @ Aug 13th 2007 5:06PM]

Some of you people misunderstand what this app is. It is instant messaging using Skype. It isn't VOIP.

[LegendZ28 @ Aug 13th 2007 5:44PM]

Not exactly their fault, the Engadget post makes it seem like the real Skype, "for realz". Too bad no one uses Skype for the IM features.

[Steven @ Aug 13th 2007 6:01PM]

if you can only IM, whats so great about this? does meebo.com work on iPhone? that site supports the major IM services.

[Frankie @ Aug 13th 2007 7:11PM]

This is pretty lousy. I can already use AIM, MSN, ICQ, etc! I thought from the original post that we could use VOIP. Very misleading story.

[James @ Aug 13th 2007 7:16PM]

Or maybe you can...... http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/08-13-2007/0004644404&EDATE=

[ItsTheOMGShow @ Aug 13th 2007 7:21PM]

for realz?? OMG are you kidding? You're going to have a VOIP conversation with Safari?

[Jason Brown @ Aug 13th 2007 7:37PM]

I can confirm that Eqo.com has aquired a iphone and im sure will eventually have the app your looking for as they host their own voip exclusively for gsm phones.

[Tim @ Aug 13th 2007 9:04PM]

Do you mean a complete VOIP app, or another version of VOIP-call-forwarding-to-cell-phone app - there are a few of those already available. They reduce international calling rates in some cases - but they are not pure VOIP solutions.

[Jason Brown @ Aug 13th 2007 9:37PM]

they used to use skype in their app and have since launched their own full voip service which has the call forwarding but to there own service. so basically it is full voip as the call forward is to their own service.

[Anonymous @ Aug 13th 2007 9:38PM]

"VOIP over WIFI on a cell phone is the greatest invention in the world...I can't wait to have the most basic cell plan ever and stop paying ridiculous rates for minutes/long distance."

You can do that right now with T-Mobile Hotspot@Home. There are only two phones currently available that support the plan and they both kinda suck, but I'm saving a ton of money on my phone bill since switching from AT&T.

[Jason Quan @ Aug 14th 2007 5:16AM]

Doesn't work in Santorini or Paris. $1.29 a minute will have to do.

[Greg Baz @ Aug 14th 2007 10:58AM]

I just tried it now that the server is back up (i guess we did a free load test for them). The service calls you back on your cell phone wasting your minutes (unless you only use it on nights and weekends). The only differences between this and SoonR is that your computer does not need to be running. In addition, the interface is much nicer then SoonR. The call back to your phone will use Skype out time unless you have the unlimited plan.
In my opinion both service are not ideal because of the wasted cell minutes and skype out credits. While it will save you some money on international calls the real deal would be best (skype app on the iPhone not a web interface.)