Skype for iPhone now live in US

It's finally here, and even a few minutes early. Skype for iPhone is now available in the US iTunes store, free of charge. We've heard great thing from the folks in Japan who've been fiddling with it for the last twelve hours, and so far it's sounding pretty good for us, too, with only minor hiccups. Not sure if it's a glitch, but despite what we heard earlier, we seem to be able to dial out while on 3G and not over WiFi (at least running OS 3.0 beta). Hit up the read link for quickest route to the app store page, and let us know what you think. Betcha wish you could ditch that AT&T voice plan now, huh?

Update: We're getting reports the app is crashing for jailbroken iPhones -- and possibly non-jailbroken ones as well. We just got our first denial when dialing out over 3G via a popup notification, but it only happened once and we were back to old habits one call later. We did experience a brief period where no sound was coming through, but that might have something to do with using OS 3.0 and was remedied by restarting the phone.

Update 2: So far, it looks like dialing over 3G's only working for those with OS 3.0 beta, but unfortunately all of us in that situation are now suffering from frequent crashes and loss of audio. Things seem to be going smoothly for those running the latest non-beta firmware, but the calls only work over WiFi. That said, when using the app as intended (non-beta firmware over WiFi), audio quality was surprisingly good, far better than any third party apps we've used.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

[Henry @ Mar 30th 2009 11:59PM]

NICE

[Konstantin @ Mar 31st 2009 12:43AM]

Oh yeah, just got it and it works great! No complaint so far.

[Alex Linhares @ Mar 31st 2009 1:56AM]

I'm sure AT&T will now find a way to charge for long-distance emails or something

[go seki @ Mar 31st 2009 2:32AM]

doesn't receive files .. ffs Apple time to open the vice like control you're exerting over MY device! .. or I could just jail-break it for real freedom!

[iHater @ Mar 31st 2009 3:51AM]

I wonder why Skype for WinMo, (released a coulple of years ago) never got this much attention on Engadget, or any of its following versions?

[Stewart @ Mar 31st 2009 8:40AM]

@ iHater

Maybe it's because more people are interested in third party applications now that Apple has essentially screamed about their existence for the past year. Regardless, STFU.

[Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Mar 31st 2009 9:25AM]

@iHater

Exactly what I was thinking. I've had Skype on my T-Mobile Shadow for a while now. What's the big deal about this?

[Artur @ Mar 31st 2009 12:06PM]

You don't get it

Give your kid a candy every day and after a month he won't be even happy after receiving one
Tell him that he will get a candy in one year and when time comes it will be the most exciting moment of his life

it is how they do it with iPhone
they make you wait, wait and wait ... and when it comes it is so exciting
... even of other boys had candy way before

[iHater @ Mar 31st 2009 1:05PM]

@ Steward

you sound like a just a perfect fat ass apple fan boy, trying to it in with the cool people just cuz you have an iPhone. Heres an update, they laugh behind your back, Get real. And dont you ever, try to curse again. Cuz if you do, im gonna call yo mama to get you cut off and you wont have enough to pay your iShit bills.

[iHater @ Mar 31st 2009 1:09PM]

*just like a perfect fat ass*

*trying to fit in*

[John Doe @ Mar 31st 2009 10:39PM]

And this is news...why??

[Mike @ Mar 31st 2009 11:03PM]

lol at nerd fight

[dylan @ Mar 30th 2009 11:59PM]

first?

[SmilinGoat @ Mar 31st 2009 12:02AM]

people that just post "first" deserve to go to that special part of hell.

if you really want to be first, wait for some boring news, and post a proper post in there...

[SPARTEN II @ Mar 31st 2009 1:04AM]

Special part of hell indeed. The part they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.

[Mark Anderson @ Mar 31st 2009 1:55AM]

Nah, that would have been WinMo or S60 both of which operate Skype over 3G and both of which allow video conferencing.

[superhobo @ Apr 1st 2009 8:18AM]

Why all the hate? Am I the First to speak up against people who hate people who say First?

[SmilinGoat @ Mar 31st 2009 12:00AM]

yeah, im excited for this, will now be putting my voice plan down to 450 a month....

[gabriel @ Mar 31st 2009 12:01AM]

Any news when it will be available at the Canadian store? It won't let me download it :(

[daveg @ Mar 31st 2009 1:30AM]

available everywhere with the exception of Canada? http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/03/30/skype-iphone.html whaaa?

[loginatnine @ Mar 31st 2009 12:23AM]

That sucks, I wasn't aware of this but thanks for the link. Maybe some fellow jailbroker will release the IPA for us here in Canada!

[Sh4ka @ Mar 31st 2009 12:27AM]

It is official.....

[Shunnabunich @ Mar 31st 2009 12:44AM]

I'm pretty sure Apple thinks Canada is an urban myth, just like everyone else outside of Canada. So maybe we'll get it in a couple of weeks.

[Oskin @ Mar 31st 2009 12:52AM]

"Chaim Haas, a public relations representative acting on behalf of Skype, said the application is available in every country in which the iPhone is on sale and in which Apple has an iTunes Store — with the exception of Canada."

Say WAAA? SERIOUSLY? I just can't take that shit anymore is it the work of the CRTC yet again? I was looking foward to this and bam something goes wrong in canada... Am I the only one pissed off?

"Haas said this is because of patent-licence restrictions but would not elaborate except to specify that it is a patent issue related to Skype, not Apple."

And that patent does apply to other apps?

[Oskin @ Mar 31st 2009 12:55AM]

i meant "and that patent doesn't apply to other apps?"

[SloppyJoe @ Mar 31st 2009 2:52PM]

someone posted the IPA here
http://www.theiphonespot.net/2009/03/30/skype-for-iphone-ipa/

grab it while it still lasts!

[BRENTG @ Mar 31st 2009 12:01AM]

DOWNLOADING NOW best phone ever

[SoCalGuy @ Mar 31st 2009 12:02AM]

woo...i m buying an iPhone

[Pingles @ Mar 31st 2009 12:06AM]

Each time they add something like this I reconsider the iPhone as my next phone (have a dumb-phone now). Good going, Apple.

[Phoenix @ Mar 31st 2009 11:35AM]

1) apple had nothing to do with making the app
2) You still gotta be in a wifi area, so if it's this you want you're as well with an iPod Touch
3) You can get this and more with Skype for Windows Mobile or S60... Like making calls over 3G.

[Chris @ Mar 31st 2009 12:01AM]

"Betcha wish you could ditch that AT&T voice plan now, huh?"

Too bad it only works over WiFi.... just not feasible for people to only be able to call me when I'm in a hotspot.

[SmilinGoat @ Mar 31st 2009 12:04AM]

however you'll now be able to make calls from home/work without wasting your mins. which for me is where i make just about all of my phone calls.

also college campuses will also be a good place to get free phone calls.

[pete @ Mar 31st 2009 12:06AM]

except skype calls aren't free...... unless your calling someone else's computer.... which is rare....

[SmilinGoat @ Mar 31st 2009 12:09AM]

well assuming you already have skype...

[Konstantin @ Mar 31st 2009 12:50AM]

Unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles withing the US and Canada are 2.95 a month on Skype. Might as well be free.

[Patriks7 @ Mar 31st 2009 12:54AM]

"which is rare...."
Wooooooooooow. Hold it buddy. Are you kidding? I know SOOOOOO many people that use Skype for calling other computers. I mean what more can you want? Free calls WITH webcam!

[pete @ Mar 31st 2009 9:36AM]

patrik, step outside the engadget/technologically saavy community and you will understand that there are few people who would sit down at their computer to make a phone call to their loved ones, their casual friends, or their business clients. it may be cool and cheap, but it is still strange for many people to sit in front of a screen just to talk to someone while you can still pick up a landline phone and do other things.

[Patriks7 @ Mar 31st 2009 10:41AM]

Or pete, it might be time for you to step out of your cave (or moms basement)...

[pete @ Mar 31st 2009 12:04AM]

should have read

"Betcha wish you bought a iPod Touch, huh?"

[ronald.raygun @ Mar 31st 2009 2:39AM]

does the ipod touch have a mic necessary for this? or do you have to buy a 3rd party app

[kesherz @ Mar 31st 2009 7:28AM]

You'll either have to buy Apple's headphones with the mic attachment or get a third party microphone (which may or may not work until the 3.0 OS goes live).

[AJ @ Mar 31st 2009 12:06AM]

Why does it say "released on March 23rd"?

[Funke, Tobias Dr. @ Mar 31st 2009 1:16AM]

I saw that too, curious. Maybe that's when it was given approval by Apple to be added to the App Store?

[go seki @ Mar 31st 2009 2:40AM]

.. probably took a week to clear the App store (this is roughly right for a complex app) March 23rd is the likely submission date.

[Nick @ Mar 31st 2009 12:09AM]

I'm super pissed that Skype for iPhone isn't coming to Canada.

[Sh4ka @ Mar 31st 2009 12:11AM]

This sucks.. no Skype on the Canadian Store...

[Dahk @ Mar 31st 2009 12:13AM]

Waiting for that too =/.

[Sh4ka @ Mar 31st 2009 12:15AM]

probably Rogers got greedy.....

[Alex Linhares @ Mar 31st 2009 2:07AM]

Our prayers are with the Canadians and their families.

[ProfessorDex @ Mar 31st 2009 9:21AM]

Just because it's not "officially" available.....doesn't mean you can't get it.

Works perfect on my Rogers iPhone!