Skype calls via mobile phones

Gibs

Hi there,

(Mods: I posted this in the VOIP forum but thought it might be relevant here also. Apologies If repetition is not allowed; please feel free to remove if so.)

I came across a product called IPdrum recently, which sounds really interesting. Wondering if anyone has used it?

For anyone who hasn't come across it, its essentially a cable that you plug into your computer that apparently allows you to use skype with your mobile phone from wherever you happen to be.

To use IPdrum, you need 2 cellphones - one remains permanently hooked up to the usb port and microphone input of your computer via a cable supplied by a company called IPdrum (i.e basically its a 'dummy' phone), while the other one remains in your pocket wherever you go.

You dial the dummy phone from your current mobile phone, wherever you might happen to be, and then your dummy phone provides a bridge to skype via your adsl / broadband connection. If your dummy phone is a number that can be called for free under your mobile phone call-plan, you can then call anywhere in the world FROM YOUR MOBILE PHONE, either for free if its to a skype user, or for skype-out rates (which are pretty cheap) if its to a landline/mobile phone. Even if your dummy mobile phone is not a 'free' number in your call plan, you can still make international calls from your mobile for the same price as national calls.

I think this sounds like a great development for pricing in the mobile phone market. Athough you do need a computer, if this does what it says on the tin, it is basically a stand alone skype mobile phone.

I am not trying to advertise the product, and I don't have it myself but I just wondered if anyone has bought it and used it? Further details on http://www.ipdrum.com/

Also found this product which appears to do a somewhat similar job, albeit in a different way:
http://www.wispa.it/

Edit: Here's another product, called the VoSky Call Center that does the same kind of thing as the IPdrum, and avoids the need to have 2 mobile phones (though you do need a home phone). Also need to have computer on all the time. It does, however, allow you to ring a landline (e.g. your own home?) from your mobile, then have the call routed through skype. Seems pretty useful. Only question is whether it will work with the Irish phone system :rolleyes:

I think its about 70 euro.

eth0_

Unless you have a 'phone a friend for free' option with your mobile phone and use it to call that phone that's hooked up to your pc...what's the point?

I can't see how you'd save any money, quite the opposite!

HelterSkelter

There is a cheaper way that requires no dummy phone or even a PC. See my post here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=50916197&postcount=10

And no, I don't work for blueface!