One of the reasons I chose Eten devices over others was because of the Skype Receiver Switch software. A little handy piece of software that allows me to make Skype calls from my Eten Glofiish X500 just like a normal phone call. I no longer had my Skype conversations for the rest of the world to hear nor did I always have to carry a hands-free kit with me in the event I needed to make a Skype call.

With the introduction of WM6, Microsoft embedded VoIP functionality into Windows Mobile and now, we no longer needed to download additional software to use this technology. It was also a great implementation because you could choose when to use VoIP (Never, Only When No Cellular Network or Always) instead of having to fumble with a software. There were some quirks such as the user having to download .cab files to set it up but that was minor compared to the convenience that came with the program. But there are 2flaws:

Mobile Connection/Suspend

If you switch on WiFi and turn off your PDA, the WiFi connection is cut. But when you turn the PDA back on, the WiFi reconnects to the router/server and you’re back online. The problem is, when you are using VoIP, you always need to be online so if the PDA is turned off, you will be off-line. Sure you could use software for a screen toggle but that option leaves the buttons still vulnerable to presses when in your pocket.While EDGE might be a better option than WiFi in this case, the problem is that the VoIP sound over such connection is not as good as on a WiFi. Maybe 3G/HSPDA would be a better solution for this.

Audio Redirection

If I am using VoIP, then shouldn’t call audio come out of the phone speaker instead? Even on the Eten Glofiish X500, audio only comes out from the main speakers unless I use a hack to make it otherwise. The problem with this hack is that it redirects all audio to the phone speaker so if the phone rings, chances are, I might miss it. I could use the software to constantly redirect audio, turning it on when a call comes in and off when I am done, but in the long run, this is a really cumbersome solution.

Hope For The Future

Eten has the capabilities to make VoIP on their devices a much better experience than it already is. They can start with auto redirection of VoIP calls, just like they do with Skype calls, redirecting audio to phone speaker when a conversation starts and back to the main speaker when it ends. They can then program the device to go into standby mode (just like in SmartPhones) so that the screen is off and the buttons are locked when VoIP programs such as Skype are active. This way, one will always be connected and able to use it.

Is it too much to ask from Eten? Maybe. But here is one area of Windows Mobile that no other manufacturers are playing an active role in. With VoIP being the next generation of communications, Eten can really establish its presence if it decides to pounce on this opportunity while it is still there.

What do you think Eten should do?

Every Monday, we give our opinion on the world of Windows Mobile. From what’s happening in the industry to what the future holds for it. We even uncover the issues plaguing users and see what alternatives they can try try out to alleviate their situation.

Tags: opinion