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Skype calls not allowed over iPad 3G connections

// April 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Mac OS

Filed under: iPad

During our live iPad 3G first look this afternoon, TUAW readers were able to confirm that Skype calls still cannot be placed over the iPad 3G’s cellular network connection. The Skype application will not connect those calls, telling users that, “You need WiFi to call over Skype.” So what’s the reason for this? “Skype calls over 3G networks are currently not allowed due to contractual restrictions.”

This should not come as a surprise. Skype has yet to release an iPad version of their software, and the iPhone-specific application has not received an update since early April. Testing the software on the iPad only confirmed that the same old things continue to work the same old way, regardless of the platform they were run upon.

So why the big interest?

TUAW Skype calls not allowed over iPad 3G connections originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3G technology: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow

// April 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Mac OS

Filed under: Internet

Cellular technology has been evolving since its invention. With the first cellular telephone networks, developed by Bell Labs and AT&T, cellular technology began to make leaps forward in ease of use, voice quality, and data communication. The miracle of technology we know today as the cellular phone was made possible by a steady stream of innovation that continues on into the future.

The history of cellular technology starts at Bell Labs in the 1960’s and 70’s where they began to iron out the details on what a commercial cellular network would be. A cellular network is a network of base stations, or antennas, that form large pockets (cells) of radio signal coverage that overlap. With a technology called “handover,” if you made a call using one base station, and you then moved out of that base station’s range and into another base station’s area, your call could be “handed over” to the base station that was closer to your location. These base stations allowed you to make calls to other cellular phones or to wired landline phones.

Over the years, the evolution of cell phone technology has been broken up into “generations.” It started with the first generation (1G), and it continues to the upcoming fourth generation (4G). In the beginning, cell phones weren’t much more than huge walkie-talkies. Over time, though, they evolved into the data powerhouses that we carry around in our pockets.

TUAW 3G technology: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

// April 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Mac OS

Filed under: App Review

Sonic the Hedgehog has had a presence on the iPod since before everything “app” lived on the iPhone / iPod touch. Even today, old-school iPods like the 3rd- and 4th-gen Nanos, the iPod classic and the 5th-gen iPod can enjoy the original Sonic the Hedgehog game with some scrollwheel fun. The newly released sequel to the original game, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 [US$5.99], was just released for the iPhone and it’s kind of like having a Genesis in your pocket. This is a good thing if you have fond memories of that 16-bit system, but if you’re looking for a smooth, modern game with the little blue bomber, it’s not. For you, we recommend keeping an eye out for Sonic 4.

We’re guilty of falling into the former camp, so we’re kind of pleased with the same Sega emulator the company uses in its other iPhone games (e.g., Golden Axe). This means that anyone who played the first Sonic game on the iPhone will be instantly at home with this sequel. Read on to see if it’s worth investigating if you don’t have any sort of history with the game.

Gallery: Sonic the Hedgehog 2