It might be a hard pill to swallow for some, considering Sprint is already going to charge a $10 "premium data" fee per month simply to make use of the phone's data services in addition to whatever monthly voice and data package is chosen. Qik runs the risk of running afoul of the "feeling nickel and dimed" response from consumers who are already shelling out extra fees to capitalize on the "about 10 times faster" data speeds on Sprint's 4G network.
Meanwhile, although Skype had released a Skype Mobile Android client previously, its exclusive deal with Verizon Wireless means that Android users on other carriers can't access the app. A PR representative from the company indicated that before the end of this year Skype will ship a direct-to-consumer app that will be available regardless of the carrier -- although it can't yet promise that the app will include mobile video calling as one of its features.
In other words, it may take some time for mobile video calling alternatives to catch up if you're not willing to pony up the extra $5 a month for that feature via Qik. Early tests with competitive app Fring have been so far mixed, with some garnering less than stellar reviews and others faring fairly well (see the video below for a demo). Still, the available options at launch could be a bit of a downer to aspiring HTC EVO owners eager to take advantage of its dual cameras for mobile video calls.
What do you think: Is Qik asking too much for mobile video call service? Will we see reliable free alternatives crop up in short order?