Skype app arrives in Android Market, WiFi-only in the US
Finally, at long last, after so much waiting, Skype has made its debut as a full-fledged Android app. There are no Verizon-related limitations anymore, but Android Police reports that calling through the app is only available via WiFi, you can't use your mobile's data connection -- not yet, anyway. Another note they make is that Skype is using quite a few processing cycles to do its job, so much so that it introduced crackling on a call carried out with the EVO. You'll need to have Android 2.1 installed to run this thing, but if you do, why aren't you downloading it already? Let us know how your own 'droid fares in the comments below.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
P.S. -- Skype's press release and video after the break have confirmed that 3G Skype calls will be available to all outside the US. Wow. Also, Skype's acknowledged there are some incompatibilities with Samsung Galaxy S phones and is working to iron those out.%Gallery-104268%
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Skype for Android™ Now Available
LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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) 1. 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)* 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 number
Mark 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 Android, we are pleased that Skype is now available on three of the most popular mobile platforms today: Android, iOS and Symbian"
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.
1 In the US, Skype for Android calling 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.
