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Howto: Run Skype on Imate SP5

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This entry can be used in almost all latest Windows Mobile 5 Smartphones.

The installation cabs from Skype will not install on the device directly, complaining it is not compatible.

I fired up the MagicCab, a cab extraction utility by Inventop, to extract the files and registry. There is two groups, one goes under \Storage Card\Program Files\Skype, the other goes to \Windows. I then created a .reg file to import with the details. The full setup steps are:

1. Copy the files to proper locations. The file can be downloaded at here

Extract the files, copy them to your device using Active Sync's file explorer.

2. You will need a registry editor, PHM Registry Editor or I used Resco Explorer's Registry addon and imported the .reg file (go to the folder you copied the reg file via File Explorer or Resco Explorer 2003, click to execute and import it.

3. Copy the Skype.lnk file under \Windows\Start Menu

4. Reboot the device.

5. Run the Skype using the link. After the long license agreement page, agree and continue.

6. This is where it gets tricky, it will say Tap here to sign in, as you all know there is no touch screen on the smartphone. We'll need the help of either Windows Mobile Developer Power Toys or Pocket Controller Pro

I used Pocket Controller. MS Developer Power Toys comes with ActiveSync Remote Display, which can be used to access the Smartphone via your PC. Whichever you use (Soti provides a trial version as well), you can click on the PC to the Tap here part and voila, it will pop up your account login details. Once you enter them, it will save them, and you won't need to worry about it. Then it will connect and there you have a working version of Skype.

I used the low cpu version, as the SP5 has 200Mhz CPU only. If you have a higher end device with 400Mhz or better CPU, you can download and extract the files from high end cpu cab from Skype.

Now time to have fun with your Skype :)

Posted 1/26/2006 3:00:00 AM @ 12:36:00 | Smartphones/Pocket PC

Hi There

Thanks for the helpful tips,
I have one question for you though,
how often do u have to connect the phone to the computer to "tap" skype.

is it a tap once thing? or would I have to tap everytime I connect to the internet?

Thanks

Posted by mohican (email) on 4/22/2006 3:00:00 AM

Hello

I have installed your version of skype on my i-mate SP5. I have a few questions, did you find your softkeys were not working when in the application? Also is navigation rather slow from menu to menu?

Many Thanks
J

Posted by JP (email) on 4/22/2006 3:00:00 AM

Thx guys/gals...

@mohican - You just need to tap just once. From then on, you won't need it, as it will save your login info and won't ask for "tap" again.

@jp - I didn't have any troubles with softkeys. I cannot double check it, as my colleague borrowed the device and he is out of country. Slowness is normal, as the application really uses the CPU a lot. You can overclock your CPU though, many people had reported success with it. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=40284&highlight=omapclock

Omapclock can be used with SP5 fine. Anything over 228Mhz can cause troubles, though some people reported using up to 260. There is many threads in XDA-Developers site, just search omapclock.

Posted by Sems on 4/23/2006 3:00:00 AM

Hey Sems,

love you work - however when running skype on my imate sp5, the soft keys in skype dont function.

So I can enter a number in skype, but cant dial.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Mick.

Posted by Mick on 6/14/2006 3:00:00 AM

It's been a while, so if my memory is correct, the only option was to use the speed dial to call people. I don't have my SP5 any more, so I cannot test it out.

Posted by Sems on 6/14/2006 3:00:00 AM

Hi!

How to reset the reg settings to where they where before running the reg file. Can I just delete them? I want to try the latest Skype for PPC on my SP5 and I'm afraid the settings implemented with your reg file would mess up a new install.

best regards

Jan

Posted by Jan (email) on 10/19/2006 3:00:00 AM

You can delete those reg keys and it should be good to go.

Posted by Sems on 10/19/2006 3:00:00 AM

I am planning of buying the HTC S720. I was able to install both skype and sling media on the phone. At present it is not activated. I am connecting to the internet through my laptop via the usb connection. I am able to connect to the sling box, however, the bit rate is very low and the video is choppy. Is telus connection any better than this? Also, I am able to connect to skype and make calls, however, I am not hearing anything. Is this because of the slow connection through the usb, and will this be resolved once I am using telus 3g connection? Help!

Posted by oliver (email) on 1/25/2008 3:00:00 AM

There is several things that can be the problem:

1. You say you are connecting via USB to a laptop. But you didn't say how the laptop is connected to Internet. If it is not on a high speed connection it will of course have an effect. USB connection uses depending upon your port either 12 Mbit (USB 1.1) or 480 Mbit (USB 2.0), so it probably is not the issue.

2. As for Sling, it is also affected by the upload speed of the network slingbox is connected to. If you don't have enough upload speeds, the video will be low quality. Did you try to connect to Slingbox via your laptop? It should show your stream's speed. That'll give you an idea. Anything less than 256Kbit is choppy usually (depending on what type of show you are watching).

3. S720 uses EVDO, provided that you have good coverage, you shouldn't have troubles with Skype or Sling.

Posted by Sems on 1/25/2008 3:00:00 AM