Test Drive: EQO

**DISCLAIMER: DON'T TRY THIS WITHOUT FREE DATA KIDS** 

Through circumstances beyond my control I've managed to come into the possession of an N93. So what do you do with unlimited data through WiFi?

It's actually a surprisingly hard question to answer. Data prices in North America are so out of touch with the common student that I admit I was at first dumbfounded. My experience with mobile phones has always been to minimize my data usage to avoid nasty surprises at the end of the month. The experience of trying to use data at first seems forced but quickly becomes very natural. With the typical student mentality of cutting monthly bill costs I found my answer: Make VoIP calls to obscure countries.

With a firm goal in mind, I set about downloading EQO from EQO Communications. A mobile client for internet messaging, EQO also provides mobile VoIP functionality through Skype.

The EQO signup webpage runs you through the typical gauntlet of account creation. You are prompted to enter your phone number and model to receive a text message embedded with a link to download the appropriate version of EQO. My phone soon vibrated as promised with a link to download EQO software for the N93.

Installing the application and firing it up I started to get excited. Skype calls through a mobile phone? Now that's sticking it to the carriers.

Unfortunately I've never been one to read the instructions. In this case I was shocked when clicking on 'Skype' in EQO resulted in an error message imploring me to install EQO's Skype Plugin on my computer.

Hold the phone there, did you say my 'computer'? How does my computer have to do with making EQO Skype calls from my mobile?

EQO sufferers from a tragic incompatibility of user mental model and technical implementation. EQO provides mobile VoIP functionality through Skype. In my mind this is just that: my phone runs Skype and calls another phone. Needless to say, this isn't what EQO is about. EQO uses your computer as a middle man to host a conversation between two parties. Your computer then makes two calls: one to the person you are calling, and one to you. Surprise!



With the EQO Skype Plugin installed and running on my laptop with Skype, I was able to make my obscure calls with typical Skype quality. The call quality itself is nothing to write home about but the fact that the call is free (or nearly free) is a more than acceptable trade off.

EQO packs some other functionality including messaging to a large number of IM clients, but I have a phone for a reason, to talk to people. For now, if I wanted to IM, I'll stick to a full sized keyboard.

This leaves EQO sitting happily somewhere in Beta ground. The software is a certainly a nice to have but not something I presently need. There are not enough free WiFi hotspots around Vancouver to make this a viable alternative to carrier service today. In the coming years as more WiFi phones and hotspots hit Vancouver EQO will be one to watch.

Pros: Skype on your mobile!

Cons: Same old Skype quality. Mobile application lacks UI polish and has distinct beta feel.

Verdict: Workable Beta mobile Skype client.