Skype = Free Phone Calls

We all know PDA fair well as contact database crunchers. Newer devices perform admirably as mobile audio and video players. With integrated wireless functionality, many work as pocket web surfers. A few come with built-in digital cameras, and third party applications may allow the user to turn his device into an infrared remote control. But is that all they can do?

When equipped with an integrated WLAN module and headphone jack or Bluetooh radio, that is not all by a long shot. Using a powerful and free application like Skype, you can use your Wi-Fi PDA  to create an actual phone connection via IP to the Internet to make phone calls. Of course you will need to have a broadband connection, a wireless access point, and a PDA processor speed of 400MHz. If your device is below the CPU mark, investigate XCPUScalar and XScaleCtrl for overclocking of Intel XScale CPUs.

A Bluetooth headset works as a receiver, and headphones with a mic will achieve the same effect, just not wirelessly.

The client application Skype works as a kind of mobile voice over IP gateway, adding the function of a mobile phone to the PDA.

1st Step: Setting Up A WLAN Connection

• Begin by connecting the PDA to a wireless access point. For the greatest protection, enable WPA encryption on the PDA and access point.

• Double-check Internet connectivity by trying to access a website of your choosing.

Note: If you still use 128-bit WEP encryption or something worse—see our write-up “Cracking WEP in 10 Minutes or Less”.

2nd Step: Setting Up The BT Headset

Next set up the BT headset. Open the Bluetooth Connection Manager and select Hands-free/Handset setup. Then pair your device as normal. Consult your headset manual for detailed instructions on pairing.

Enter the pass key (typically the default is 0000, 1111, or 1234) to authorize the PDA to connect with the headset and verify the signal strength.

Note: If using an iPAQ PDA, the Connection Manager will show that both wireless modules are active. 

3rd Step: Installing Skype For PPC

Lastly, install Skype for Pocket PC on the PDA by accessing it through your desktop computer at www.skype.com and transfer the appropriate files to your PDA via sync cable or docking station.

For a small fee – right now about two cents a minute – the “Skypeout” service lets you call any fixed-line or mobile network anywhere in the world. You can initiate a call in two ways. First, you can simply select a contact from the list and then confirm it with the green phone symbol in the bottom taskbar. Second, as a Skypeout user, you can also select any fixed-line or mobile connection. Just enter the number with the stylus in the field on the "Dial" tab.

A high-performance Pocket PC equipped with integrated wireless can easily be used as a device for Internet telephone calls. The voice quality is sufficient for personal use, and offers big savings in calling costs.

You don’t have to be psychic to know that IP-based telephony programs like Skype on their way to becoming serious competitors for classic telephone service providers over the medium term, as their pricing structures evolve and quality improves. Modern IP telephony technologies may toll the death bell of the communication dinosaurs much sooner than many predicted – listen…do you hear it ringing?

Recommendations

q     Purchase a PDA equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies

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