BlackBerry Software – iSkoot for Skype FAQ
BlackBerry Software – Once you’re set up with iSkoot, you can make and receive Skype2 calls at the push of a button, make low-cost long distance and international calls using SkypeOut, and text chat with your Skype contacts—right from your BlackBerry. You can even set your own online status. Using iSkoot is as easy as using Skype on your PC: you can call any of your Skype contacts for free (mobile airtime usage charges still apply), and you can even place SkypeOut calls at the same great low rates. The big difference: now you can leave your computer behind! With iSkoot, you bring your Skype with you, so you can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime using your internet telephony service.
What’s even better: With iSkoot, there’s no need for WiFi, cellular broadband, or any additional hardware. The iSkoot network and handset software are designed to work wherever your cell phone works! To learn more about how iSkoot and the iSkoot network work to bring you Skype on the go, please visit the Products page on our website
1. What is iSkoot?
iSkoot is free mobile software that delivers the rich features of Skype to your mobile handset. We will be extending support to additional online and social networking communities soon!
2. Why do I need iSkoot software?
With iSkoot software you can take advantage of Skype without being tethered to your PC. iSkoot loads your Skype contact list right on your cell phone display screen, and with just a quick click of a button, you can call your contacts. All you pay for is air time on your mobile phone. You can also make international calls without paying those hefty long distance fees — Internet telephony charges will apply. Talk to anyone around the world for just a few cents a minute: from your cell phone!
3. What are the features and benefits of iSkoot software?
iSkoot brings the features of your internet voice service directly to your handset. Now you can be logged in — and see who else is logged in! — even when you’re on the go. With iSkoot you can:
- Sign in automatically as a registered user
- See who is signed in and view their online status
- Manage your own online status
- Click to call a contact
- Click to chat with a contact
- Make low-cost calls to any phone number, anywhere in the world using SkypeOut
- See your SkypeOut credit balance
- Receive calls from Skype users
- Add or remove friends from your contact list
- Refresh your contact list automatically or on demand
4. What kind of mobile phone do I need to use the iSkoot software?
For a full list and images of the phones we support, please visit our Get iSkoot page.
5. Will you be supporting other phones soon?
Yes! We have recently expanded our lineup to support all major smartphone OSes (see our complete list of supported devices). Whenever new devices are released on these OSes, we do our best to support them.
- Symbian S60: such as the Nokia N73, N80, N95, E61/E62, and E65
- BlackBerry: such as the Pearl, Curve, and 8800 series
- UIQ3: Such as the Sony-Ericsson P1i and W960i
- Windows Mobile 5 and 6, including Smartphone and PocketPC editions. Popular devices include the Motorola Q and Q9h, T-Mobile Wing and Dash, and many others from HTC and other manufacturers
- PalmOS: such as the Palm Treo 700p and Centro
We’re also constantly evaluating other OSes and platforms. 2008 will see some interesting developments as Apple releases tools to help programmers create software for the iPhone. We’re also seeing more demand for support on Java-powered phones.
So please check our website from time to time for news and updates!
6. What else do I need to use iSkoot?
You need a mobile calling plan with a subscription to a data service and a moderate amount of text messaging. iSkoot does not charge for calls to Skype contacts — all you pay for is air time minutes. If you want to use iSkoot to make low–cost long distance and international calls, to regular telephone numbers (including SkypeOut contacts) or to receive inbound Skype calls on your phone, you will also need to purchase SkypeOut minutes.
7. Why do I need a data service to use iSkoot?
iSkoot uses a mobile Internet connection to update your buddy list. You will be charged by your mobile network provider for the data traffic. Please contact your service provider to determine the best data plan for your individual needs.
8. How much data does iSkoot use in a month?
iSkoot uses a data connection to keep your contacts list up to date, exchange messages in chat rooms, etc. The amount of data used varies by person. It depends on how often you use iSkoot and how long you stay connected. The good news is that iSkoot’s data use is fairly small for the moderate user! Even so, please contact your service provider to determine the best data plan for your individual needs.
9. Do I need to be in a Wi-Fi “hot spot” to use iSkoot?
No, all you need is a data service subscription.
10. How do I download the iSkoot software?
The first thing you have to do is register to download the software. Once you’ve filled out the registration form, you can download the software to your PC immediately and transfer it to your handset using its infrared or Bluetooth® port or your USB cable. Alternatively, iSkoot can send you a link to our software via email or SMS text message, and you can download it over the air to your handset.
11. Do I have to enter my mobile phone number into the iSkoot application even if I don’t want to receive incoming Skype calls?
YES! You must enter your handset number — including your country code — into the iSkoot application. iSkoot uses your country code to identify which regional access point to connect to, so it is critical that you enter it in correctly: (International Country Code)-(Area Code)-(Phone number).
Failing to enter your country code may cause iSkoot to route your calls through the wrong access point, meaning you could potentially be charged for international calls to our global servers. Please avoid this problem by entering and verifying your country code. You can still set up your software so that you won’t receive incoming calls by opening your Options menu, selecting Settings, clicking on the receive calls option and setting it to “off.”
12. How do I set up iSkoot so I can make Skype calls?
Once you download iSkoot to your handset, all you need to do is log in using your Skype ID and password and enter your mobile phone number into the application. Your buddy list will load, and then you can call your contacts or place a SkypeOut call. For additional step-by-step instructions on how to set up iSkoot on your handset, please refer to our User Manuals.
13. How much does it cost to download the iSkoot software?
There is no charge to download the iSkoot software.
14. Are there any OTHER costs incurred through using iSkoot?
You will be charged by your mobile network provider for air time and for data traffic based on the type of data service plan you have purchased. If your mobile calling plan does not include long distance calls, your mobile network provider may charge you for long distance calls within your country. You will also incur SkypeOut charges any time you use iSkoot to call a regular telephone number (as opposed to calling a Skype buddy), and for any incoming Skype calls you receive. For more detailed information concerning costs, please review the “What does it Cost to Use iSkoot” section on our iSkoot for Skype iSkoot for Skype page. Please note: Skype’s promotional offers for SkypeOut calls to select countries may not apply when using iSkoot.
15. Do iSkoot calls count towards my mobile minutes usage?
Standard air time rates for your mobile phone calls will apply.
16. Can I initiate a Skype call from outside the US using iSkoot?
Yes! iSkoot now offers network service worldwide! Click here for a complete list of supported countries.
17. I’m a frequent international traveler. Does using iSkoot exempt me from roaming charges?
While we can enable you to make calls without being tied to your PC, all the rules and restrictions of your individual cellular provider — including roaming charges — still apply.
18. Can I use iSkoot if I have Skype Voicemail?
You CAN use iSkoot to make calls, but you will not be able to receive calls while you have Skype Voicemail enabled.
19. Is iSkoot affiliated with Skype?
iSkoot and Skype have a Co-Marketing Agreement. iSkoot also partnered with Skype and mobile operator 3 to deliver the 3 Skypephone, and signed an additional agreement in April 2008 extending their partnership.
20. If I am logged into Skype on my handset, can I receive Skype calls from my contacts?
Yes, but you must have available SkypeOut credit. To receive incoming Skype calls on your handset, go to the Settings menu, select “Set to receive calls” and change the setting to “On”. A new screen will prompt you to enter the phone number where you wish to receive calls. Enter the telephone number of your mobile phone and select OK. SkypeOut charges for the connecting call to your handset will apply.
21. How do you protect access to my Skype password?
Your password is entered and stored on your phone. When your password is sent to our server, we use SSL encryption for transport and we never store the password on the server.
22. Why did it take longer to display my contact list the first time I logged into iSkoot than at any other time?
The first time you log in, the iSkoot network has to find your contacts. We store the location of your contacts which allows us to find them more quickly the next time.
23. Why are some of my contacts listed by their real names and others by their Skype IDs?
iSkoot lists contacts by their full names, if the names are made available. If the name is not available, iSkoot will list the contact by his or her Skype ID. As such, you may see both full names and Skype IDs intermixed in your contact list. The contacts are then sorted alphabetically.
24. Will you be supporting other Internet voice and chat providers soon?
Yes! We will support other services very soon. Please check the website for updates.
25. Do you support chat on all phones?
iSkoot offers chat on all supported handsets except the older S60 v2 models.
26. Do you support chatting with multiple users?
iSkoot enables you to initiate 2-person chat sessions only. However, you can participate in conversations of 3 or more people if PC-based users invite the additional participants. We also support multiple concurrent chat sessions, allowing you to easily switch between chat sessions, but you cannot add another person to an ongoing chat. (But we hope to add this feature soon!)
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