Three Skypephone

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Three Skypephone
Three Skypephone
Available Q4 2007
Screen 2″ 176×220 pixel display
Camera 2 Megapixels
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)
Physical size 100×44×13.6 mm
Weight 86 g

The Three Skypephone is a 3G mobile phone made by Amoi. The phone is sold in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom, recently released in Hong Kong and Macau. Three offers four thousand free Skype outbound voice minutes with the phone. The quota expires in 30 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.

My3's website currently identifies the phone model as the "Amoi 8512", while the packaging the phone comes in, calls it the "WP-S1". However, the phone is currently being marketed under the name 3 Skypephone and is currently (as of April 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 Skypephone supports UMTS/W-CDMA 2100 MHz, GSM and GPRS (900/1800 MHz).

The Skypephone uses the normal GSM voice network for handling Skype calls, which permits it to use Skype when the user is out of range of the 3G network and is roaming on one of 3's partner networks. Another advantage of handling calls this way is that it does not require data or WiFi connections which have been shown to consume more energy. See The World’s best phone? (2007-11-28).

The phone uses a USB connector for recharging and Phone-to-PC communication - allowing it to recharge itself when plugged into the computer. Phone-to-PC communication can also be done over Bluetooth.

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 2 inches (51 mm), at a resolution of 176×220 pixels is included, and it incorporates a 2 megapixel camera.

Contents

[edit] In the box

The black version of the 3 Skypephone.
The black version of the 3 Skypephone.
  • 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 microSD memory card (no adapter) (UK & Ireland only).
    • 512MB Kingston microSD memory card with adapter (Australia)
  • 3 user guide.
  • Quick start guide for Skype.

[edit] Tariff & 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 network. Only SkypePhone bought from 3 Hong Kong can conduct free Skype-to-Skype calls in any 3's sister network worldwide.

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

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.

[edit] UK specifics

The minimum top-up for 3 Pay As You Go is £10.

Windows Live Messenger is also available on the phone for free.

All new customers joining 3 on Pay As You Go in the UK will pay one low 12p rate called Flat12.

  • 12p a minute calls to any UK mobile or phone, any time 1
  • 12p texts to any UK network 1

1 For calls from the UK to standard rate landlines beginning 01, 02, 03. UK mobiles and inclusive texts are texts sent in the UK to standard UK mobiles.

[edit] Ireland specifics

The minimum top-up for 3 Pay As You Go is €10.

MSN is also available on the phone for free.

3 offers a flat-rate Pay As You Go service called 3Pay in Ireland.

  • 18cent a minute to all 3 customers and landlines
  • 35cent a minute to all other networks1
  • 5cent for any SMS, MMS or video message to all networks

1Other networks in Ireland are Vodafone, o2, Meteor and Tesco Mobile.

[edit] Australia specifics

Free to all new customers joining 3 on any monthly plan

[edit] 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.)

[edit] Issues

  • The Skypephone does not support Skype Video Call.
  • The Skypephone does not support SkypeIn yet (except Hong Kong).
    • 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 a workaround free software is available to use on your PC to connect SkypeIn calls to your 3Skypephone.

[1]

  • 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 calls
  • The rubber coating on the battery cover of the Black model is known to blister and peel when warm.(3 Skypephone Forum - Skypephone rubber skin peels off!. Retrieved on 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.

[edit] External links