I have been talking to Tony Smith of Star Ship Sofa about helping him get live coverage of conventions, specifically Worldcon. Given that he needs a decent audio feed, we needed to test the technology, so we did a little test run of using Skype on my iPhone (using my home wi-fi, not over 3G which I think Skype still doesn’t support, though it is coming). Ever keen to get material, Tony asked if he could podcast the conversation, and you can find the results here.
The Skype-Skype conversation worked really well, but when Tony tried calling my mobile from his Skype account the sound quality dropped off significantly. That suggests this will work best when the phone has a good wi-fi signal to work with. But the 3G is OK as long as people understand they are listening to a live report from the field, not a studio conversation.
In the interview you will find out why my accent sounds so funny, why I think non-fiction writers often get a raw deal, and why, later this year, I may be calling Tony while I am naked.
Your accent doesn’t sound to have changed too much to me…
It tends to change depending on the aural environment. I’ve been in the UK for almost 3 months. Listen again when I’ve been back in California for a while.
Having said that, I was mistaken for an American while shopping in Bristol last weekend.
Haven’t listened yet, but did Tony request that your future conversations utilize video?
Oddly enough…
If you are involved in video interviews etc, please encourage whoever is hosting the video to make a mp3 available as well (unless the subject means that this is not worthwhile). Many interviews, panels etc get limited benefit from the visuals IMO. Audio only is of course a much smaller file size (important for those of us in the blighted parts of the world with typical internet usage limits of 5-20 Gb/month, let alone those on dailup), and any required video format shifting by the potential user is another step that makes them less likely to download it in the first place.
I’ve just had a look at http://www.vodafonerental.com.au/
The website is tragically bad (http://www.vodarent.co.nz/ is better, not that the rates shown there are particularly good, but at least you can see them, and I assume they are better than roaming charges). Expect data rates to be extortionate.
The rates I pay (on a Vodaphone NZ iPhone) in AU are bearable while thinking like a tourist (e.g. TXTs NZD0.80/USD0.55/GBP0.36)
Don’t forget that you can twitter by TXT (handy if you can’t get a decent data signal, or you are saving iPhone power).
Many thanks to Tony and yourself for the work you are putting in.
I think skype does allow 3G connection now (or close to allowing it), but wifi would be a lot better quality I’m sure.
Re: using Skype over 3G, it’s true that Skype hasn’t updated their iPhone app yet to work over 3G, but the Fring app (it’s free) will work over 3G and allows you to place calls via your Skype account among other things. I haven’t tested it yet and have no idea how well it works so caveat emptor. 🙂