This also paves the way for very usable, very cheap calling on the iPhone, especially if you use an iPad 3G SIM to get a data-only iPhone plan.

Skype has been under some pressure from its userbase of late to add this functionality, as it has been anticipated for a while now and incorporates some very important usability features. Impatient users have resorted to tying their Skype accounts to Fring, a third-party app that acts as a front-end for many communications programs and protocols and is kept very up to date. Skype and Fring recently got into a battle of words over video chatting over the Skype network on the new iPhone.

In addition, Skype has canceled its plans to begin charging a small monthly fee for 3G calls, instead keeping that functionality free. You will however still have to pay for a Skype-In number and Skype-Out credit, but those can be had for very low rates considering what you can do with them.

With VOIP apps such as Skype working over 3G in the US now, this means you can get essentially unlimited calling on your data-only iPhone for roughly $20 USD a month, which includes a $4 unlimited skype calling account and phone number.

And with the upgrade to iOS 4.0 and background running apps, your VOIP apps can be left to run in the background without having to jailbreak. This means you can answer calls when you get them as the app will be running and able to receive the call.

It’s apparently a fairly easy (although not trivial) process. Just activate the iPad SIM (in an iPad 3G), put it in a microSIM -> SIM adapter, pop it into your iPhone, and change your iPhone’s APN settings.

What’s really nice is if you don’t have an iPad 3G, you can get just the SIM from AT&T for $15. Here in Canada, you can get one from Bell for $5, Telus for $10, and Rogers as well. I don’t know how much Rogers sells them for because their website isn’t very clear about it, but they do sell regular SIMs for $10, in case that is any indication.

If you are in the US, then you should also check out another story on the os-x files blog, namely relating to the use of google voice and skype to get virtually unlimited VOIP phone service for about $6 a month. Combine that with a 250MB data-only iPhone plan, and you can browse and talk for a little over $20 a month.

THIS is what wifitalk.ca is about. Data-only smartphone plans for a reasonable rate, with VOIP calling for voice. It’s not quite native in the US, and because Skype and Google Voice don’t yet offer phone numbers in Canada, it’s even farther away here, but this is the goal.

Credit to Kaido of the os-x files blog for the guide.

The LA Times is reporting on a conversation with an Apple spokesperson who confirmed the recent VOIP over 3G developments in the new iPhone OS 3.2 beta SDK licensing agreement.

“We revised our Program License Agreement in conjunction with our updated Software Development Kit for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad Apps,” wrote an Apple spokesperson.  “Included in this update is the ability for developers to create VoIP apps that utilize cellular networks.” -LA Times

The reason why Skype has not yet updated their client to allow this functionality is because their current app and current iPhone users are still under the licensing terms of the 3.1.2 version of the iPhone OS. This version, which is currently running on most devices, forbids the use of VOIP applications over 3G, instead restricting them to WiFi-only. Skype spokesperson Chaim Haas has said that Skype is waiting on Apple for clarification of this issue. “As soon as we have that clarification, Skype will submit its application for approval.”

What this likely means however is that we will have to wait until iPhone OS 3.2 is released so as to not be bound by the restrictions of version 3.1.2.

Well, according to at least one slashdotter, Skype works over 3G without issue now too.

I just tried skype on my iPhone…went through on 3g with no problems

If nothing else, this at least means cheap long distance on the iPhone, and possibly quite a bit of free talk as well if the calls are skype-to-skype. Some reports are that VOIP over 3G is of spotty quality. Any users care to chime in?

edit: it seems the skype client still doesn’t work, but you can use Fring to call out over 3G using skype-out

Fring Blog

You wanted it, immediately after Apple allowed it, fring launches its 3G-friendly VoIP app.

With fring on 3G, users get unrestricted, mobile communication. Now iPhone fring users can call, video call, chat and more for FREE over 3G and wifi!

And the best thing? You don’t have to do anything to turn the feature on!

How do I get this update?

You don’t need to do anything to get this update. Just open fring on your iPhone and you are good to go!

Engadget was alerted to the development by iCall, maker of an app which could take an incoming GSM call and flip it over to wifi/VOIP.

3G Skype coming to the iPhone?

They added the following interesting comment:

Interestingly, iCall says its 3G-friendly VoIP app is available now, and is the first and only such app in the App Store — which seems like some pretty quick turnaround on everyone’s part, but apparently the 3G restriction wasn’t anything to do with the software itself, but instead a server-side block. We just tested this out and it totally works, and while we’ll be looking for more verification that the ban has indeed been lifted, it sounds like it’s time for some cheaply connected international parties in the streets.

Parties in the streets indeed. Can anyone else confirm this?

As noted previously, Skype has a 3G capable version of their app ready and waiting for this restriction to be lifted. Considering the quick turnaround on iCall’s part, it can’t be long before Skype and others follow suit.

Update: Fring’s client now supports VOIP over 3G

With this article I’d like to add more of a Canadian reaction to the iPad from the point of view of the mobile communications industry.

Yes, the iPad 3G is coming to Canada, reportedly in June. Expect a slight USD -> CAD markup on the device and more expensive data rates. Also, the iPad won’t be coming to all Canadian carriers.

What Will It Cost?

This is not a difficult question to ballpark. Extrapolating from the the ~10% markup on the lowest of the line in iPods (the 8GB iPod touch is $199 USD and $219 CAD), and Apple’s affinity for “nice” numbers, we’ll probably see prices similar to the following.

Predicted Canadian iPad Prices

As for the cost of the data plan, look for Bell, Telus, and Rogers to be fairly predictable and parallel each other. I’ll hazard a guess of $45/month for the unlimited* plan and $20/mo for the reduced usage plan of around 250MB. Asterisk may mean whatever caveats you suspect.

Now that I think about it, unless you go to youtube quite a bit on the device, you should be able to get away with 250MB of bandwidth. Sync it at home, take it out for browsing/email. Maybe a 1GB plan would be better.

Who Will Carry It?

The WiFi-only version should be available through normal channels – Apple Store, online, big boxes. As for 3G service, look at Telus, Bell, and Rogers to offer plans.

Do not expect to see the iPad with Wind/DAVE/Public Mobile.

Unfortunate as it may be, the 3G capabilities of the iPad do not allow it to be used on the 3G AWS band. If you visit the iPad specifications page, you’ll come across this information:

Wi-Fi + 3G model

• UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900,1800, 1900 MHz)
• Data only²
• Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology

The 3G AWS band that Wind Mobile operates on, and that DAVE and Public Mobile will operate on is known as UMTS IV. It uses the 1700 MHz band for device-to-tower and 2100 MHz band for tower-to-device for communications. Notably missing is the 1700 MHz capability of the iPad, so no 3G AWS, so no Wind/DAVE/Public. At least for now.

VOIP

The iPad is not a phone, and probably shouldn’t be thought of as such, even with VOIP apps. The iPad would still have access to the full lineup of app store apps, including skype, fring, truphone and the like, and the mic input would allow one to use the iPad as a VOIP device. The always-on 3G data connection, combined with push notifications in some apps would make the iPad quite usable from a connectivity standpoint.

But do you want a 10″ phone?

Maybe with a handsfree bluetooth connection it makes sense. See the push notification pop up, put the bluetooth earpiece in, hit accept, put the iPad down and away you go. It seems like a good option to test on, but really this is just using a sub-optimal device when what we really need is something to happen on the iPod touch/iPhone front.

Either give us an iPhone on data only, or make a 3G-capable iPod touch.

What does the iPad mean to Canadian consumers, what is it good for, and what are the communication implications? This article will be divided into two parts: First, a commentary on the iPad itself – my own personal reaction. Second, I will analyze its position in the Canadian wireless industry. (Updated: Wireless commentary here)

The iPad:

The specs on the iPad are available one Apple’s iPad site. This was a much-anticipated launch and many rumours about features and specifications were flying all over the net for the past several months. Steve Jobs posted a tweet to the effect that the iPad is going to be the device people remember Apple for, not the iPhone or the iMac. Will it live up to the hype?

The iPad: The Good

Formfactor

The weight (1.5 lbs) and size (9.7″ screen) are nice. I have not gotten my hands on one, so I can’t say much about typing on it. The LED backlit IPS screen is apparently quite gorgeous as well. In order to be ultraportable it should have something on a netbook in terms of size, which it does. Having the screen size it does means you don’t have to hold it up to your face in order to read it.

The Battery

Anyone who has the pleasure of using one of the new MacBook Pros knows just how good the batteries in them are. It seems Apple has carried this battery technology over to the iPad. 10 hours of video/internet/actual use is quite amazing. 1 month of standby time is obviously overkill but comes with the territory of having a fantastic battery.

Pretty

The Processor

The in-house designed processor is probably the best part of this device from where I sit. It shows Apple’s commitment to tailor their hardware specifically to the function of the device, rather than seeing what parts are out there and building what they can from them. The Apple silicon, system-on-a-chip technology is what will give them the advantage over other entrants into this market.

3G – Unlocked

I also like the fact that the 3G version is unlocked. I can understand why Apple initially had to have exclusivity agreements with the iPhone, but now that they have some critical mass behind their devices, and consumer investment in the app store, they can employ a strategy of wider adoption and capitalize on the app store revenues.

The inclusion of data-only 3G as an option was practically a given as the device doesn’t lend itself well to being a phone. It’s nice to see no-contract service agreements that you can sign up for from the iPad itself. I can only hope that this kind of thing comes to the iPod touch but won’t hold my breath. An important question that needs to be answered is: Is there some way to piggy back the iPad 3G account onto an existing 3G account? That is, do I have to pay $30/mo for iPhone 3G and an additional $30/mo for iPad 3G, or can I combine the two devices under my single account?

iBook

The iBooks reader looks really slick, and the dropdown menus for the apps are great UI changes. Hopefully these will percolate through to the iPhone. I could easily see myself reading books on something like this.

The iPad: The Not So Good

It’s basically just a big iPod touch. That can do 3G. So it’s like an iPhone. But it can’t make calls.

Screen: Should be HD

The 1024×768 screen should have been 1280×960 or 1280×800 in my opinion. This would allow for 720p content to be played and would have paralleled the screen resolution on the MacBooks. Maybe it’s just me, but 1024×768 seems like such a 1999 resolution. The iPad is apparently capable of playing 720p video (according to the iPad site), so why not display it all?

I realize that 99% of all websites are designed to run on a screen width of 1024 pixels, so this resolution makes for an ideal web browsing experience, but I doubt that the performance cost of going to a slightly larger screen would have been that significant.

Pages? Really?

iWork? Really?

iWork for the iPad looks neat however I wouldn’t ever use it. I doubt that typing on it would ever feel natural enough to justify getting Pages, and if I need to use Pages, I’m working on a laptop. I’d have to play with Numbers in order to really understand how I would use it on the iPad. It seems like a key pad and mouse is the best way to go for that application and the transition to a touch device seems awkward. Keynote on the other hand, I can see. I wouldn’t ever want to use the iPad as my main Keynote authoring platform, but adjustments to presentations would work well. I guess it’s not bad to include iWork apps, but my MacBook Pro can do all of these things and do them better, so I am not compelled to switch.

Flash

Really? No flash support? Really?

Mobility

I already have an iPod touch and don’t quite feel compelled to get an iPad. The 3G is nice, but for most of the places I go, I have wifi, and the only thing I find I’d like to have 3G connectivity for is for making a phone call. Since the iPad doesn’t do phone calls natively, it seems like the 3G add on is lost on me.

If I’m truly trying to “be mobile” I find that the iPod touch/iPhone platform is fantastic for browsing. Is it just me or are the mobile versions of websites better than the full versions anyways?

The iPad: The Missing

No Tablet

We all thought this was going to be a tablet. So where’s the pen? Where’s the handwriting/notetaking software? This device could have been HUGE with students as a true tablet combined with a textbook subscription service.

Imagine: iChat on top, doc editing below

No iSight

A front-facing iSight camera would have launched the mobile video conferencing trend that seems to be coming. People have wanted this feature on the iPhone, so why not try it out on the iPad? Imagine this: You’re sitting in a chair with your iPad, and the top 1/3 of the screen has 2 video feeds showing on it – a client and a co-worker. The lower 2/3 of the screen is a document you are all working on. You pull out your pen and make changes, circling, highlighting, editing, scrolling by touch, and your client and co-worker see the updates. Okay that’s a lot to ask, but I’d still like to talk to my mom on it.

No Multitasking

Better hardware and more battery life and it still can’t run more than one thing?

The iPad: Where Does It Fit?

If you want to do work, you have a laptop and the iPad isn’t for you. If you want to listen to music and browse the web casually, then you probably have a smartphone or iPod touch and the iPad doesn’t really offer any improvements to your experience.

For people who have both a laptop and a smartphone-type device, the iPad is a very tough sell. It doesn’t seem to do anything better than either a laptop or an iPhone except for being an eReader.

But what if you don’t have a laptop (or need a new one), and don’t have a smart device (or need a new one)? Could you get an iPad and replace some old devices? Maybe. I couldn’t really see typing on it very much, even with the keyboard dock, but it could be useful for a person who travels a lot and for some reason can’t carry something as big as a laptop around during the day.

The suitability of the iPad as a mobile communication device will be the subject of a follow-up article.