Re: [tlug] Android tablet

[Kyle Hasegawa <kylehase@example.com>]

 On 6/3/2010 2:46 PM, Edmund Edgar wrote:
> Don't know if anyone else has looked into this, but I've wondering
> about cancelling my Softbank subscription, buying an Android phone
> off-the-shelf and getting one of these all-you-can-drink data sims:
>
> http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/sim/index.html
>
> ...then just using Skype for voice.
>
> Anyone tried that or know of any reasons why it would / wouldn't work
> / be a good idea?
>
> Presumably either one of these data cards
> http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/sim/devices.html
> ...or some kind of phone tethering setup would let me hook up my
> laptop to the same sim, at no extra monthly cost?
Unfortunately there's no Skype VoIP for Android yet (Verizon excluded).  
The rumor is that there will be a Skype VoIP app for Android later this 
year.  You could use Fring which supports Skype calls but the sound 
quality is poor even on a stable WiFi -> fiber connection.  I only use 
it for contacts who insist on using Skype.
The alternative is SIP.  I'm currently using SIPdroid which has much 
better quality than Fring.  The only problem is that it's Sipdroid is 
not an all-in-one solution.  You'll need a SIP server and inbound 
dial-in number (DID).
There could also be network limitations but you won't know until you 
test it.  Bmobile uses the Foma network throttled to 300k up/down (from 
Docomo's 7.2/5.7Mbps).  This could impact voice quality and latency 
depending on the shaping method and audio codec even at full signal 
strength.  It would be great if Emobile supported a decent Android 
device but until then there's always the pocket WiFi.
If there's interest I could present my Android VoIP setup (using Google 
Voice) as well as other SIP alternatives at the technical meeting.
--Kyle