Skype has just shunted their free internet calling app into the Android Market, and it’s free for anyone running Android 2.1 and above.
The app lets users make Skype chats, calls and sync Skype to their contacts, although early reports say it still has a strong whiff of Eau de beta about it – Skype say they’ve tested it on HTC and Motorola phones, but owners of popular phones like Samsung Galaxy S aren’t feeling the love.
Once fired up, Skype stays open in the background and remains accessible through the notification bar, letting users make Skype Out calls using their Skype credit.
How big?!
Skype calls are Wi-Fi only in the U.S., but seeing as the whole thing weighs in at a preposterous 13MB – with no option to shift it to the SD card – we’re unable to try it out ourselves (so please drop us a line with your experiences).
Press release:
London, October 5, 2010 – Skype today announced the release of Skype for Android™, a client for mobile handsets, built for smartphones running Android OS version 2.1 or above. With this latest release, the majority of smart phone users globally will now be able to experience the benefits of Skype on the move using either a WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G)*. Skype for Android is downloadable for free from the Android Market or consumers can visit www.skype.com/m to find out more details about how to get the application.
Skype for Android enables users to:
· Make free Skype-to-Skype calls over WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G)[1]to other Skype users anywhere in the world using Skype’s SILK codec for CD-like audio quality.
· Make low rate Skype calls to landline or mobile phones
· Send and receive instant messages to one or a group of friends on Skype
· Synchronize contacts between Skype and the native address book and after synchronization place Skype calls directly from the native address book.
· See when Skype contacts are online and available to call or chat
· Easily import names and numbers to the Skype application from the native address book
· Receive calls on their Skype online numberMark Douglas, Product Manager of Android said: “The Skype experience is ubiquitous today. More and more people are using Skype to do things together when apart. With the addition of Skype, we are pleased that Skype is now available on three of the most popular mobile platforms today: Android, iOS and Symbian”
[1] In the US, Skype for Android works over WiFi only. Skype for Android is not available in China and Japan at this moment.
*Operator charges may apply when consumers use data or roam over 3G, EDGE, GPRS.
Skype for Android™ works on compatible handsets running Android OS v2.1 and above and has been tested successfully by Skype on HTC Desire, HTC Legend, Google Nexus One, Motorola Milestone XT720, and Motorola Milestone. It may work on other Android phones, but we can’t guarantee full functionality or compatibility. We’re aware of some problems with the Samsung Galaxy S, and we’re looking to address these in the future. Skype for Android™ supports the following languages: Brazilian Portuguese, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Swedish, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese & Traditional Chinese. It may work on other Android phones, but we can’t guarantee full functionality or compatibility. We’re aware of some problems with the Samsung Galaxy S, and we’re looking to address these in the future.
