Skype goes live with video calling on Apple devices

by Steven Mostyn - Dec 30 2010, 10:59

Expanding its reach and worth as a free call provider—and potentially taking some shine off Apple’s FaceTime service in the process—VoIP specialist Skype has today added video calling to its hugely popular iPhone application.

“With video calling representing approximately 40% of all Skype-to-Skype minutes for the first six months of 2010, our users have been eager to get Skype video calling on their mobile phones,” trumpeted Neil Stevens, general manager of consumer business at Skype.

“By bringing video to mainstream users at their home or work via their desktops, on the go with their mobiles, or into their living room via their TV, Skype has made it possible for millions of people to share video moments wherever they are,” he added.

Compatible with both 3G and Wi-Fi networks, the updated Skype for iPhone app is free to download from the iTunes App Store (or from Skype directly) and enables users around the world to send and receive completely free video calls on the iPhone, the iPad tablet, and also the non-telephonic iPod Touch.

Of course, as with any other call service from Luxembourg-based Skype, users will incur “very low rate” charges for any video calls made to mobile phones or landlines not equipped with Skype software.

Skype is a formidable player in the VoIP space, thanks in no small part to the 25 million concurrent users it has logged on at any given time. Building on that yet further, the Skype for iPhone app is already one of 2010’s top-five free iPhone applications.

The newly enhanced Skype for iPhone app is compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and the fourth generation iPod Touch (carrying iOS 4.0 or higher), desktops with Skype for Windows (4.2 or higher), Skype for Mac (2.8 or higher), Skype for Linux and also ASUS Videophone.

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