Skype - Traveling Abroad
Jul 13th, 2006, 10:47 AM
#2
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Have been using it for a couple of years - and am very impressed. I found it easy to download, it doesn't put pesky icons where you don't want them, you don't get annoying Spam, and it really is free. I am a great fan.
I carry wired headphones with a microphone which I use on my laptop - anyone out there got a recommendation for wireless headset which uses the USB port?
I carry wired headphones with a microphone which I use on my laptop - anyone out there got a recommendation for wireless headset which uses the USB port?
Jul 13th, 2006, 10:49 AM
#3
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Shoudl also have mentioned that if you can find an open/free wireless hotspot you can phone home completely for free becuase you aren't even paying for the internet access. I remember reading a post here about someone who foudn on at a Paris cafe - so he/she sat in the sun enjoying a beverage and talking to a friend at home
Jul 13th, 2006, 11:03 AM
#4
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Thank you wombat7!! 5 or 6 of the hotels we are staying at offer wifi so that would work out great! I was on their website and it seems pretty easy/straight forward. I'll have to look into a headset of some sort next. Hopefully someone has a good recommnedation for a wireless which uses the USB port!
Jul 13th, 2006, 11:13 AM
#5
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My neice and her parents, and her friends used Skype all last year while she was in Copenhagen. I was at my brother's house when she called one morning and it was amazing...sounded like she was in the next room!!!!! They all loved it.
Jul 13th, 2006, 12:07 PM
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My Skype works great where there's WiFi access (which is almost anywhere in major cities worldwide), but I've taught it another trick:
By connecting my iPAQ to the Internet via a Bluetooth connection through my cell phone, I can use it anywhere T-Mobile has coverage <i>without using cell phone plan minutes</i>. This basically means I can call any Skype station in the world for free, or any landline for 2¢.
I can't wait to see if this works in Europe.
By connecting my iPAQ to the Internet via a Bluetooth connection through my cell phone, I can use it anywhere T-Mobile has coverage <i>without using cell phone plan minutes</i>. This basically means I can call any Skype station in the world for free, or any landline for 2¢.
I can't wait to see if this works in Europe.
Jul 13th, 2006, 01:57 PM
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9600x4 should be the maximum with GPRS. I'll give it a try. If all ports are open, it should work? I've got no idea how Skype works and they don't tell which makes it suspicious (Worse than Microsoft! ;-) ) I've got 6000/1000 ADSL here, no problem at all, but GPRS sounds interesting!
Jul 13th, 2006, 02:04 PM
#13
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Would Robes or logos care to explain to the technically deficient what some of that alphabet soup means? I have only recently acquired a cell phone and I have a laptop with WiFi capability, which I have used in Europe (and elsewhere) where there is free WiFi access. What does all this GPRS stuff mean? How would I have to outfit my gear to have it be usable "nearly anywhere"? I like that idea, as I may be traveling in Europe and other farflung points for an extended period next year!
Jul 13th, 2006, 02:09 PM
#14
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The question was, if it would be possible to use data transmissions over mobile phone lines with a PC/PDA for making ordinary phone calls.
This sometimes comes as a flat rate, which cost less than an ordinary call from a mobile.
This sometimes comes as a flat rate, which cost less than an ordinary call from a mobile.
Jul 13th, 2006, 02:14 PM
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GPRS = "General Packet Radio Service" used on GSM mobile phones for data transmission. It uses up to 4 ordinary channels at the same time to transmit data. Data which can be voice in this case 
.
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Jul 16th, 2006, 08:59 AM
#18
Hi
That was me sitting in the Paris cafe resting my feet and talking to a friend at home. As for a headset, I find pc chat headsets a little delicate so I have an adapter I got from Radio Shack that adapts my very comfortable Jabra headset which I use for my cell phone and use the mike that is built into my pda. It is very workable and the sound quality is good.
My cell phone provider is Sprint which is CDMA but would love to know about their ppc6700 with an evdo connection working via the bluetooth connection. Anybody?
That was me sitting in the Paris cafe resting my feet and talking to a friend at home. As for a headset, I find pc chat headsets a little delicate so I have an adapter I got from Radio Shack that adapts my very comfortable Jabra headset which I use for my cell phone and use the mike that is built into my pda. It is very workable and the sound quality is good.
My cell phone provider is Sprint which is CDMA but would love to know about their ppc6700 with an evdo connection working via the bluetooth connection. Anybody?
Jul 16th, 2006, 10:38 AM
#19
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I just bought the cheap cyber acoustics ear clip style 740 from Best Buy. I think it was $20 ... it's not the best fit .. but works well enough. We don't plan on being on the phone all that often .. only for 'checking-in" purposes.
We did download Skype and it works wonderfully. We set-up voicemail and got a phone number. Hopefully it works in Europe.
We did download Skype and it works wonderfully. We set-up voicemail and got a phone number. Hopefully it works in Europe.
