iPad + Skype?

[EETFUK]

I am wondering about this option, not sure if it has been mentioned:

I use Skype on my iPod Touch using Wi-fi and it works great for making and receiving calls. With this new "iPad", do you think it would be possible to tether the 3G connection from the iPad to my iPod Touch via Bluetooth or some sort of application if I am NOT in a Wi-fi area?

I am inquiring because I would like to get rid of my high monthly plan with Verizon, and simply buy the month-to-month data plan on the iPad while using Skype. It would be much cheaper if this could work.

Thanks for your input and thoughts!

 

[robotartfashion]

Nothing has been announced yet, and as it's running the iPhone OS you'll have to wait for one of two options: (OSX on things like Macbooks allow the creation of WiFi spots and internet sharing, the iPhone OS does not inherently)

1) At&t to allow tethering via the iPad, the odds of which are slim as AT&T has yet to implement this feature on the iPhone given their overstressed 3G network and the implications of sharing the iPhone connection.

If this does ever occur expect a upcharge in the area of $15-30 per month most likely, which makes it a less attractive option.

2) Wait for someone to jailbreak the iPad OS, which will happen sooner or later (although Apple has learned some lessons here and we may be stuck with a "tethered" jailbreak which is stress that I will gladly pass on)

Once this occurs I'm sure you'd be able to use things like "miwi" or some sort of tethering hack like is available on jailbroken iPhones.

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I can see though how AT&T will do everything they can to avoid this.

Consider the implications of WiFi "N" draft speeds (which this is equipped with) outputting data throughout your house. For many people with dial up (still lots of them) or slow internet dsl connections they would be quick to jump on this bandwagon and with the iPad hooked to a dock, well, you can imagine.

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Does anyone know if the iPhone, iTouch headset with the mic will work on the iPad? if so you could just have that with you in a backpack or purse or whatever (depending on sex and taste in carryalls) and make Skype calls from that.

Regardless, it won't be easy, and it's set up that way so that our "free market" economy will keep on chugging with as many devices and services as possible.

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Lastly (I promise), take a look at people's experiences with jailbroken phones + skype + 3g unrestrictor that have used this solution. The reviews show it has a long way to go to be a true cell replacement

 

[mrkjsn]

I can already see it...Jailbroken iPad that will allow you to tether other devices to it.

 

[EETFUK]

Thank you for your replies! Sounds like it's too early to tell. It's okay to dream though.

 

[DoNoHarm]

I am also really interested in this application. In fact, this would be the #1 reason to buy an Ipad - i already use Skype as my dedicated phone. The problem with using skype with the ipod touch is that the battery life is really lame (~1 hour). Also you can't run skype and another application at the same time.

Since apple said the ipod touch lasted 5 hours when playing video and i only got 1 hour on skype's application, I can only assume the ipad will get a paltry 2 hours of talk time with skype's application. It may be dooable, but it won't be great.

 

[driftwoodslog]

This is what I was planning on

I was just going to run the skype application and connect a headset through the bluetooth and talk through that. That would work right? If not we can't be too possibly far from figuring out how to make this let us make calls. It itself has a microphone.