...despite missing video calls. Compared to Android, iPhone and Windows Phone, MeeGo Harmattan probably has the most invisible, to a certain degree imperfect Skype client of them all. Despite that, it's the best one.
Why? - On Nokia N9 Skype works the way it's supposed to run on a smartphone.
Why? - On Nokia N9 Skype works the way it's supposed to run on a smartphone.
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| Skype's Java client |
Personally I've experienced Skype on many devices over several years: Traditional mobile phones (Java application), smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. It hasn't been a while since Skype calls became possible over the mobile internet - at least in my country where mobile telephony providers blocked Skype voice calls (over 3G network) until at 2008.
Skype on MeeGo Harmattan
When I bought my Nokia N9 I was gladly surprised that Skype had been pre-installed on the device - however, it wasn't what I expected. Clicking the Skype icon didn't really open something I would call a fully featured application and just displayed who of my contacts is online at the moment. Finally I realized that Skype on N9 isn't same as what for example iPhone users are used to. No - it's fully implemented into the phone's call and messaging system. Great!
Why? There are several reasons which apply to me. I don't need to run a separate, battery consuming application all the time with an own but separate user interface. Why not use the general contact list, phone and messaging framework when it's already there anyways? Skype is actually so well implemented that it already happened that I accidentally called over GSM network or texted a "real" SMS instead of using the online service - be careful, that can get expensive!
It simply works
Being a Skype-active person I'm aware about what problems some of my iPhone and Android contacts have - a look at some internet-reviews confirm: They're not the only ones.
On iOS Skype is a completely different experience than on MeeGo: To often it's unstable, unreliable, battery consuming, having a misguiding user interface and surprisingly all of that seems to get worse and worse with every update.
On Android things look better: Skype generally performs well and even offers the possibility to start calls/write messages via shortcut from within the general contacts list. But still - it doesn't run as reliable as it does on MeeGo. A huge battery drain or excessive heating of the phone can happen regularly on some Android devices.
Windows phone doesn't have yet a final release of Skype. While the "OPreview" application seems to work just fine, there are problems with getting notifications while having the phone in standby mode (to me a deal breaker!) and some users are complaining about a bad system-intergration of the application, missing log-out button and more.
On MeeGo Harmattan? To me there are no such problems. Some small disappointments are there though: Skype on N9 doesn't offer video calls and until now I haven't found a possibility to send a SMS using my Skype credit. Personally I don't need to have video calls on my mobile phone, but it's a missing feature many N9 Skype users would like to see. Unfortunately the list is a bit longer: Sending files over Skype chat isn't supported neither. However, what's there simply works! Compared to my previous Skype experience on some other smartphones that amazing!
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| Skype on Nokia N9 is very well implemented into MeeGo Harmattan |
Summarized I can say that Skype on MeeGo Harmattan is far away from perfect, especially because some essential features are missing. But for my purpose, having phone calls over mobile internet, it is without any doubts the best Skype client I know of.
What do you think about Skype on Nokia N9?
