Skype has just released their long awaited client for VoIP services for normal mobile phones as a beta software earlier today. It's available for a range of Nokia phones, and since it's something new I decided to take a first look at this Skype client on my Nokia N82 and see if it really lives up to our expectations.

The application is coded in Java, so don't expect really spectacular speeds from the software. Not that I'm against Java or anything, but for the time being it's just not as nifty compared to native C++ coded applications.

Okay, enough about programming jargon. Rather than using data connections (3G/EDGE/WiFi) to process calls, this is stated on the official Skype page:

How Much Does It Cost?

Call Skype contacts
The cost of a local or national call on your mobile (or use your inclusive minutes).

IM and being online
There’s a data charge from your operator. A person with 20 contacts, who’s online for 1 hour, IMs for 10 minutes and has a 20 minute call each day will use about 1MB of data per month. The more data you use, the higher your charges may be.

Receive calls from Skype contacts
If you receive a call in the UK, you pay our SkypeOut rate for a call to a UK mobile. If you're in Estonia, you pay our rate for a call to an Estonia mobile and so on.

Receive calls to your SkypeIn number
Same as above.

This basically means that Skype-Skype calls are based on your phone plan's minutes rather than being a 'free and unlimited' call, as it is on the Desktop. And suppose that a relative or friend from abroad calls you via Skype - you've got to pay for the incoming call at the SkypeOut rate too! It sounds like a deal between Skype and local operators, and I think this might be just a bit too much for consumers to accept...

Now to the interface:


Looking familiar? It's quite simple but very effective - there really isn't any need to put so much information, as space is basically real estate on screens that have a 320 x 240 resolution.

Clicking on a user gives a few options: "Chat" or "View Profile". No "Call" option. Yes, in this beta you can only receive calls from others via your service provider, and the lack of ability to call others really hampers the usefulness of this software. I honestly can't see myself using this if I'm only allowed to receive calls on it.

And that's about all the special features on the official Skype client. Eagerly awaited by the masses - but I think it's somewhat of a disappointment considering the fact that you can't make outgoing calls, it uses your phone plan minutes rather than data for receiving calls, and calls from abroad are charged at SkypeOut rates. There's still plenty of potential for improvements before the final release, so I hope more is done in the meantime.

You can get the client here!