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The new Apple iPhone for Verizon is going to cause a shift in the the collaboration market, as services from Citrix's GoToMeeting, Cisco's WebEx and pal Alec Saunders company, Calliflower all have been building what the future needs, not living in the past.
One of the major FUDs being spread by GSM loyalists is that CDMA means either voice calling or a data connection. Well, folks, VoIP is data and with the three collaboration tools mentioned above all have the ability to work over IP, but it's Calliflower which can win with Verizon.
Some time back, Alec smartly designed in a Skype SILK codec based bridge into Calliflower. That means super wideband audio, which just so happens to be what Skype has put into their latest versions of iPhone and iPad. Since the iPad and iPhone 4s are iOS 4 and now feature multitasking, that means voice and data can work at the same time, because while you may be limited to data or circuit switched voice on the Verizon network, no one said you can't have multiple data sessions running at the same time. Web browsing, email, IM, collaboration, all at once do work.
Thus the key differentiator between Skype on a Verizon Android phone and on an iPhone is Skype is Skype and since Skype is voice over the IP side of the house, and since Alec's platform can work in sync with a Skype call, while seeing the collaboration activity, I think his forward looking plans are pretty bright, and with some additional development Calliflower could have Skype inside it giving Skype and Verizon a very sweet play to compete with others on the iPhone and iPad this year that would be attractive to those on the go.
(Note-my agency has provided services to Calliflower and I hold options in the company)
Regarding your last paragraph, about Skype on a Verizon IPhone. Last time I checked (yesterday), Verizon continues to route all Skype (domestic) calls thru their voice network (actually Skype does this as directed by Verizon). Currently there is no way to make a domestic Skype call over Wifi or 3G on the Verizon network. Of course this dramatically reduces the value of Skype, on the Verizon network. Do we yet know that Verizon will change their stance for Skype on the Verizon IPhone?
Douglas,
My sources tell me Skype on the iPhone for Verizon Wireless will perform just as it does on the GSM/3G devices. That means your calls will go over the EVDO data network without the traditional voice network involved that VZW operates known as circuit switched cellular.