Tired of Skype problems on Android phone?Think about upgrade to Nexus S !

Those smartphone users frustrated by Skype problems on their Android devices should watch Nexus S video



and read the specification. This is the first Gingerbread (Android 2.3) smartphone. It is an amazing device with such features portable Wi-Fi support and enhanced VoIP dialing. The pace of innovation of Android smartphones is impressive and I am looking forward to Apple response..

Skype,still, not working on Samsung Galaxy

In my previous post I declared the Skype problem as solved by upgrading to Android 2.2. However I experienced some stability issues and started to follow the “Skype is not working on Samsung Galaxy S” thread on the Skype blog, as this is the only one which gets enough attention from the Skype moderator. 

Skype causes lots of headaches not only for the Samsung Galaxy users but also- as you can see on the Skype for Android forum - Sony Xperia, HTC Hero, Motorola Spice XT300, HTC Wildfire users are suffering. All these issues with Skype on the Android smartphones remind me about the early nineties when successfully running Windows applications often depended on the Windows version or the PC manufacture. 

I was working for a very successful, at that time, Dutch PC manufacture company Tulip Computers. My team was responsible for the Microsoft Windows certification tests and obtaining the Windows logo. The real breakthrough in removing hardware dependencies from applications was the introduction of the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) announced in 1992 during the first Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in San Francisco. This was to ensure that future Windows NT could support different hardware architectures as Power PC, DEC Alpha and Intel. The "Plug & Play" initiative started with the introduction of the Windows 95 turned out to be initially “Plug & Pray”. Microsoft's strategy soon payed off.

I had the opportunity to visit Microsoft labs in Redmond at least a few times a year, and was impressed by the continuously improved test certification process. The Microsoft Windows architecture initiatives and a strict Microsoft certification policy contributed to an accelerated innovation in PC hardware and software leading to a dramatic price erosion and Intel/Microsoft dominance. Android will drive innovation in the field of smartphone devices as well. However the current Android maturity problems first need to be addressed to ensure the vendors can focus on the devices/software innovation and avoid spending so much time on fixing incompatibility problems.

I strongly believe, as Steve Wozniak, that Android will become the dominant smartphone platform. However the quality and the application's support needs to improve. For customers' experience, it is all about their favorite applications and based on my Skype experience Android is still in a "Plug & Pray" phase.

Android 2.3 is on its way and for sure it will bring some improvement.

How to make Skype work on the Samsung Galaxy S

Good question...

On the official Skype blog you can read

"We’re aware of some problems with the Samsung Galaxy S, and we’re looking to address these in the future."

This statement almost two months after Skype release, in my view,  indicates that solving the current skype problem will not be possible without new Android release.
My Samsung Galaxy S purchased in October was preinstalled with Android 2.1. In May Google announced Android 2.2, Codenamed Froyo. 
Is Froyo available on Samsung Galaxy S ? Would it fix the Skype problem ?

Unwiredview.com  reported that Samsung announced delayed Froyo availability in UK beginning of November. I also found some comments on the Skype forum about working Skype on the Samsung Galaxy S with Froyo..

How to get my phone upgraded?. For the upgrade you need Samsung program Kies. 

It sounds simple but IT IS NOT .. Kies program needs to be treated very carefully as it is known from so called "Kies Connection" problems". What I experienced myself Kies keeps reporting  "Connecting the device.... Please wait....."   and ... nothing happens. It is amazing how many videos on YouTube one can find produced by frustrated users.

First, you need to ensure  that you have the latest version of Kies installed. You can download it from here. As even the latest Kies version reported "Connection Problem"  I spent some time researching how to fix it.

Finally I found on Samsung US support site instructions how to address "Kies connection problem" 

You need to be patient as when you start drivers reinstallation for the first minutes  nothing really happens and you can't resist stopping Kies. 

Before connecting the device using the USB cable you need to ensure that the Samsung USB settings are set to "Ask on connection"  (Settings, Wireless and network, USB settings). It is important that the phone is fully charged as the upgrade will be aborted even if battery is 50 % charged as it was in my case.

After connecting the Samsung Galaxy you should be able to browse the device content.
At that moment you need, as above instructed,  to start Kies program. Do not be surprised getting initially two messages "Connecting to the device" , after a moment one message disappears  and you should get a message "Firmware upgrade available". Please ignore the remaining "Connecting  to the device message" as the device IS CONNECTED at that moment.
Follow all instructions carefully and within ca 10 minutes (backup your contact phones, downloading , decompressing and upgrading firmware) your phone will be upgraded.
Install Skype from Android Market and you will be able to log in. 


The Skype problem is finally solved.

Skype on my Samsung Galaxy S is still Signing In....

One of the first applications I installed on my Samsung Galaxy S was Skype. This was my backup for Skype in case my iPhone runs out of battery.

It took me a number of tries and reinstalls to conclude that Skype downloaded from Android Market  is not supported on the Samsung Galaxy S !

A few seconds on the Internet shows plenty of cases of disappointed Samsung Galaxy S owners complaining about problems with Skype on their phones.

It is a pity that Android Market does not warn about cases of not working Android phones.

This case shows how big challenge Android application developers are going to face to ensure compatibility with all Android phones.

If an application as Skype, with millions of users, cause such a problem on positioned as an “iPhone Killer” phone you can imagine issues you might experience with new or less known applications.

When you try to download Skype from www.skype.com/m you are informed the following:

"Sorry, Skype is unavailable for your mobile. We add new handsets all the time so check back soon"

The only option left is to follow the Skype for Android blog

and wait for good news…………

Is iPhone going to replace most of my gadgets?

While I was jogging and listening to Geoffrey Moore interview  I realized that I didn't use my iPod anymore... The iPhone did not only  replaced my iPod but also a number of my other gadgets. I don't even carry the extremely light Fujitsu Siemens Loox N100 navigation device which I bought tempted by a review in FT "How to Spend IT" . Google maps does an even better job on my iPhone. My wife is very enthusiast about Navigon navigation, a FREE offer from T-Mobile. I did not have 2GB of left free space to install it and unfortunately have to wait until I get my new iPhone 4, this time with 32GB instead of 16GB. I also use to track my jogging routes  a very convenient application iMapMyRun   allowing  a detailed analysis of my route, speed etc. at home.
Since a few weeks I record my voice notes using the  Evernote application making my Optimus dictaphone obsolete.  I started to use Evernote after watching an excellent presentation of Alex Pachikov responsible for the Evernote business development. This presentation was a part of Stanford iPhone Application Development course. Evernote is a great application and how it impacted my way of dealing with notes is worth of a separate writing.

The skype client converted my iPhone into a skype phone device. I explained to my wife and my two daughters how to use it and during their holidays we all stayed connected - almost for free - between Shanghai, Amsterdam and Santa Barbara.

My iPhone became a mutifunctional device. I wish I had it earlier and saved at least a few hundred Euros.

Could my iPhone be replaced by it's "Android iPhone killer" Samsung Galaxy S.?...



I could not resist buying one to give it a try !

The iPad you've been waiting for has arrived

and it's ready for you to pick up. When you come in, we'll have Specialists ready to help you set up your iPad so you can start enjoying it right away. We can't wait to see you at the store.
Sincerely, The Apple Retail Store team"

This mail I received from Apple Store in Colorado Springs exactly NINE DAYS AFTER ordering iPad Wi-Fi + 3G 32GB on the first day of launching 3G version.For a week holidays in US it was too long and I do not regret I decided to buy Wi-Fi model as I have lots of fun with it. The only limitation I encountered so far was not working App Store on the iPad in Holland. I can make purchases however using iTunes on my Mac.

First iPad experience

I could not resist writing this on my new iPad. A free wifi and Starbucks at Barnes & Nobel on 16 street in Denver was a good opportunity for a test.
I am really impressed. Easiness to type and the superb quality of a screen is very promising.
Unfortunately I did not manage to buy any movie for a long today's flight. The US Apple store did not accept my Dutch billing address and I could not use the Dutch one from US either.
Hopefuly a global identity management supporting digital rights protection will be solved soon. I managed to buy however Kindle book "Change your brain change your body" by Daniel G Amen,The New York times best-seller. I believe a good choice for a long flight.