[glnz]

I have an 8530 from my company, for my company email (probably BES or equivalent), on Verizon. It has the phone function but that does not work - I cannot make or receive calls. I can, however, listen to .wav audio attachments to emails - when I hit "Preview", they play in some kind of music-listening app. Also, this BB does have WiFi and it does link to my WiFi at home.

Recently, I downloaded the Skype mobile function, but apparently Verizon blocks its use. Apparently -- correct me if I'm wrong -- the Skype function will NOT work using WiFi, must connect using Verizon voice service, and since I do not have Verizon voice, I am blocked.

Also, I have read that the 8530 does not have UMA. Again, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Question - if everything stays the same except that I get a different BB that has UMA (as well as WiFi) -- maybe an 8520? -- will I be able to use the Skype function when I'm in a WiFi hotspot (like my home)? Or will, again, Verizon block the service?

I used to think I was a good user of all things computer (for a non-tech person), but I have clearly reached my limit.

Thanks. PS - The specs for my 8530 follow:
______

BlackBerry® 8530
smartphone (CDMA, Wi-Fi)
v5.0.0.886 (Bundle 1493, Platform 4.2.0.397) Cryptographic Kernel v3.8.5.85 Branding Version: 1.0.105.254s Micro Edition Configuration: CLDC-1.1 Micro Edition Profile: MIDP-2.1 Micro Edition JTWI Version: 1.0 Micro Edition Media Version: 1.1 Micro Edition PIM Version: 1.0 Micro Edition File Version: 1.0 Micro Edition Bluetooth Version: 1.1 Micro Edition Location Version: 1.0.1 WLAN Version: 3.0.1.5005

[NJBlackBerry]

UMA is only available on specific devices with specific carriers. Verizon does not support UMA on any devices. In the US, T-Mobile supports UMA on certain devices.

Skype is only available on Verizon with their voice service. No other carriers support Skype.

Getting an 8520, as an example, will require you to get a T-Mobile device, with a T-Mobile data plan, and you still won't have Skype.

[MidnightDraven]

Beaten to it by NJ.

[glnz]

NJ and Midnight - Thanks. Shame. Any thoughts about when any BB (in my corporate situation) will have a free Skype feature for WiFi or UMA?

And here's a crazy idea: I have Skype on my home PC. My Blackberry 8530 links nicely to my home network using WiFi. Is there anything I could put on the Blackberry that (when I am at home) would link to the PC so as to connect to the Skype on the PC?

Would probably take a gaggle of engineers ten years to arrange, but thought I'd ask.

[NJBlackBerry]

Nope; sorry.

[glnz]

OK - new one - I have heard from friends that GMail includes a service similar to Skype. True?

If I were to set up a GMail account and then connect to it using my BB browser, would I be able also to link to the GMail voice feature and make calls from my 8530?

Anything else like this? Hey, just asking!

[Dubdub]

If you are on BES and it is a company phone, you really should talk to the BES Admin. Sounds to me like they have the device locked down via company IT policy and it is not a good idea to try to circumvent it.