Three Skypephone Series

The 3 Skypephone series is a range of 3G mobile phones made by Amoi. The phones are sold in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Macau. 3 offers four thousand free Skype outbound voice minutes with the phones. The quota expires in 90 days unless the user purchases another top-up or is on a pay monthly plan. The service is advertised as "unlimited" in the UK; however, it is subject to the same limitation as in other countries.

The Skypephone series of phones support UMTS/W-CDMA 2100 MHz, GSM and GPRS (900/1800 MHz), as well as HDSPA with the 3 Skypephone S2.

The Skypephone series uses the normal 3G or GSM voice network for handling Skype calls, which permits users to make Skype calls within 3's 3G network or when the user is out of range of the 3G network and is roaming on one of 3's partner 2G networks. The 2 Skypephone models are unique in using normal GSM or 3G voice protocols for handling Skype, as all other mobile Skype applications use a GPRS, EDGE or 3G packet data connection to handle Skype. The Skype application used is native to the 3 Skypephone series and is a Brew application , whereas other mobile Skype clients are 3rd-party downloads and are either Symbian or J2ME based. An advantage of using the standardised 3GPP circuit-switched (CS) voice protocols for handling calls is that it does not require a constant GPRS, EDGE, 3G or WiFi data connection, all of which consume significantly more battery life than CS voice.cite web |title=The World’s best phone? |date=2007-11-28 |url=http://www.christianlindholm.com/christianlindholm/2007/11/the-worlds-best.html ]

The 3 Skypephone series use a USB connector for recharging and Phone-to-PC communication - allowing them to recharge when plugged into a computer. Phone-to-PC connections are also possible over Bluetooth.

Usage Terms

Except in 3's domestic market (Hong Kong), free Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages are only available in the country where the phone was purchased, or while roaming on 3’s sister networks. Only Skypephones bought from 3 Hong Kong can conduct free Skype-to-Skype calls in any of 3's sister networks worldwide.

Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages are subject to a fair use policy of 4000 minutes of outgoing calls and 10,000 instant messages per month.

Moreover, for 3 Pay As You Go customers, the Skype functionality is subject to activating a minimum top-up (value depending on country) and valid for 30 days from activating their last top-up.

3 Skypephone S1 / Amoi WP-S1

Infobox Mobile phone
name = 3 Skypephone

---

available= Q4 2007
operating system= Qualcomm's BREW
screen = 2″ 176×220 pixel display
camera= 2 Megapixels
ringtone =
memory = 16MB internal Expandable to 1GB (2GB unofficially supported) microSD
networks = UMTS 2100, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900
connectivity = Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR,USB (with Mass Storage Mode support)
size = 100×44×13.6 mm
weight = 86 g
battery=

The 3 Skypephone S1 was the first in the series to launch. It was widely acknowledged for its difference from other mobile phones for introducing Skype as a native application and introducing Brew os to a European audience.

[http://my3.three.co.uk My3's website] previously identified the phone model as the "Amoi 8512", while the packaging the phone comes in, calls it the "WP-S1" cite web |title=3 Skypephone hands on review part 1: WP-S1 Out of the box|url=http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2007/10/30/3-skypephone-hands-on-review-part-1-wp-s1-out-of-the-box/] . However, the phone is currently being marketed under the name 3 Skypephone and is currently (as of September 2008) available in 3's own stores (including 3Stores within Superdrug premises) and in retail, depending on country.

Windows Live Messenger was initially supported on the phone in selected countries only. However in late November 2007 it was released as a Java application in the UK, and is available via the Launcher softkey on the phone. Usage of Messenger is free on 3's UK and Ireland networks.

The physical dimensions of the phone include a weight of 86 g and size of 100×44×13.6 mm.

The battery life is as follows:

* Standby 320 hours
* Talk Time 270 minutes
* Video Talk Time 170

A screen size of convert|2|in|mm, at a resolution of 176×220 pixels is included, and it incorporates a 2 megapixel camera.

In the box

* Handset
* Battery 1150 mAh.
* Battery cover (magnetic).
* Personal stereo hands free kit (via mini-USB connector).
* USB cable.
* Mains charger (USB connector).
* CD–ROM for PC connection.
* 256MB or 512MB microSD memory card (no adapter) (UK & Ireland only).
** 512MB Kingston microSD memory card with adapter (Australia)
* 3 user guide.
* Quick start guide for Skype.

Supported functionality

* Bluetooth stack with OBEX file transfer and A2DP support
* Streaming video (can receive TV channels and watch movies over the 3G network)
* Streaming audio
* Free Skype-to-skype calls
* E-mail
* T9 dictionary
* Camera
* Video recording
* Audio recording
* MP3 player (can also play WMA and AAC files)
* PC Suite synchronization
* 116.5 kbit/s cell modem via Bluetooth or USB
* Podcasting with Mobilcast (unofficially supported)
* Supports J2ME applications such as Opera Mini and many J2ME games.
* Charging via standard mini USB cable. (Though its own charging unit (wall plug) and USB to mini USB cable are included, any standards mini USB cable can be used to charge the skypephone in various locations or when travelling.)
* Brew games

Issues

* Poor battery life.
* The Skypephone does not support Skype Video Call.
* The Skypephone does not support SkypeIn yet (except Hong Kong).cite web |title="3 Skypephone Forum FAQ"|url=http://3skypephone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=665]
** However, some people are working around this by purchasing Skype Pro and forwarding incoming calls when busy to the actual mobile phone number.
** SkypeIn is available Feb 2008 in Hong Kong only.
** SkypeIn not officially available other than Hong Kong, but workaround software is available to use on your PC to connect SkypeIn calls to your 3Skypephone. cite web| url=http://3skypephone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=642|title=SkypeIn and SkypeOut workaround|accessdate=2008-08-06]
* There is no SkypeOut capability.
* Skype conferencing is supported, however the handset cannot host conference calls, only join existing ones.
* No front facing camera for video callscite web| url=http://www.mobilesift.co.uk/3-skypephone|title=3 Skypephone - MobileSift|accessdate=2008-08-27]
* The rubber coating on the battery cover of the Black model is known to blister and peel when warm.(cite web| url=http://3skypephone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=586|title=3 Skypephone Forum - Skypephone rubber skin peels off!|accessdate=2007-12-17)]
* The Skypephone only takes 20 Calendar entries.
* The Skypephone gets hot after about 15 minutes of talk use.
** However you can get around this by connecting the handsfree headset.
* Screen is made of plastic and scratches easily.
* Back cover on white model gets stained easily.
* The drivers do not support Windows Vista and the phone cannot be used as a USB modem in Vista.
* Japanese text is not supported; chat messages containing this appear blank.
* Many applications tested on the Sony Ericsson W810i will work on the phone, including Google maps.

Skypephone S2 / Amoi WP-S2

Infobox Mobile phone
name = Three Skypephone S2


available= August 2008
operating system= Qualcomm's BREW
screen = 2.2in QVGA
camera= 3.2 Megapixels
ringtone =
memory = 50MB internal Expandable to 4GB microSD
networks = UMTS 2100, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, HSDPA, 3G
connectivity = Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR,USB (with Mass Storage Mode and Modem dongle support)
size = 100×44×13.6 mm
weight = 95g
battery=

On July 112008, 3 announced the Skypephone S2 cite web |title=Engadget: HSDPA-equipped Skypephone S2 coming to 3 |date=2008-07-11 |url=http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/07/11/hsdpa-equipped-skypephone-s2-coming-to-3/ ] . The S2 was released on August 182008, with the price higher than previously mentioned at £79.99, rather than £70.00, though it includes £10.00 of calling credit when purchased from [http://threestore.three.co.uk/ 3 Store] cite web |title=3 readies bargain Skypephone S2 |date=2008-07-22 |url=http://stuff.tv/News/3-readies-bargain-Skypephone-S2/10489/ ] cite web |title=3 pay as you go mobiles |date-accessed=2008-09-08 |url=http://threestore.three.co.uk/payg/default.aspx] . No details have been mentioned about whether the S2 will be available in other countries other than the United Kingdom. The 3 Skypephone S2 has been widely acclaimed on the internet as being better looking than the S1 . Many issues which the S1 had have now been resolved in the S2.

The specifications released are as followcite web |title=3 Skypephone S2 spec and images revealed |date=2008-07-21 |url=http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/16279/17303/3-skypephone-specs-and-images.phtml] :

* Dimensions: 102.7 x 45 x 14mm
* Weight: 95g
* Display: 2.2in QVGA
* Battery: 1150mAh
* Memory: 50Mb onboard
* External memory: Micro SD up to 4Gb
* Camera: 3.2Mpx camera
* HSDPA support: Up to 2.6Mbit/s
* Additional features:
** HSDPA modem dongle
** Facebook application
**Many native Brew apps.
** RSS reader
** Stereo handsfree and USB cable included
* Price: GBP£79.99

Supported functionality

* Bluetooth stack with OBEX file transfer and A2DP support
* Streaming video (can receive TV channels and watch movies over the 3G and network)
* Streaming audio
* Free Skype-to-skype calls
* E-mail
* T9 dictionary
* 3.2Mpx camera
* Video recording
* Audio recording
* MP3 player (can also play WMA and AAC files)
* Memory: 50Mb onboard
* External memory: Micro SD up to 4Gb
* PC Suite synchronization (With Vista support)
* HSDPA support: Up to 2.6Mbit/s
* HSDPA modem dongle
* Podcasting with Mobilcast (unofficially supported)
* Supports J2ME applications such as Opera Mini and many J2ME games.
* Facebook always on application, change your status and easily access your profile, friends, inbox, pokes and more.
* Charging via standard mini USB cable. (Though its own charging unit (wall plug) and USB to mini USB cable are included, any standards mini USB cable can be used to charge the skypephone in various locations or when travelling.)
* Brew games

References

External links

* [http://stephenfry.com/blog/?p=54 Stephen Fry's blog and Guardian article about Skypephone 2]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/aug/21/mobilephones.internet?gusrc=rss&feed=technologyfull Victor Keegan at the Guardian on the Skypephone 2]
* [http://3skypephone.com/ Three Skypephone Portal] in English, Danish, German, Italian and Swedish
* [http://3skype.mobi/ Three Skypephone WAP Portal] in English, Danish, German, Italian and Swedish
* [http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_services_/skype_phone.omp Three Skypephone at three.co.uk]
* [http://www.gadgetvenue.com/archives/2007/10/30/skypephone-review/ Three Skypephone Review at Gadgetvenue.com]
* [http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/allfeatures/3skypephone/s2/?cm_mmc=google/latsearch-_-EU-RU|RU-_-BD-_-kwid=3SP10010007|creative={creative}3 Skypephone S2 on Skype officail website]
* [http://youtube.com/watch?v=RLccqoQgu4A Video walkthrough of main features on YouTube]
* [http://www.christianlindholm.com/christianlindholm/2007/11/the-worlds-best.html christianlindholm.com's review]
* [http://www.tonyblews.co.uk/archives/2007/11/entry_99.htm tonyblews.co.uk's review (part 1)] and [http://www.tonyblews.co.uk/archives/2008/04/entry_142.htm (part 2)]