How Truphone is different from Skype mobile

Skype is currently available for the Pocket PC, and it is a racing certainty that it will be available on Symbian smart phones sooner or later. The approach will undoubtedly be the same in both cases, namely that what you get is a cut-down version of the Skype PC application. This means that you either use your mobile phone as a Skype terminal, using the Skype application, or you use it as a regular mobile phone, using the built-in phone book.

Truphone's approach is quite different: our objective is to be almost invisible in everyday use. You just use your phone as normal, using all the same menus and contacts book as always. It's just that your calls are (often dramatically) cheaper a lot of the time when you are in reach of a Wi-Fi access point. You only have one phone number and one address book to worry about, and what is more your address book will synchronise with Outlook and others. Incoming calls or text messages will try you on the cellular network (normally for no extra charge) if you are not online by Wi-Fi.

So to summarise, Skype is like having two separate devices in one box whereas Truphone is like having a 'least cost routing' upgrade to your mobile phone. You pays your money (none, actually, but time is money, right?) and you takes your choice...