Skype to launch iPhone App on Tuesday

The popular internet telephony service, Skype is all set to launch its service for iPhone users on Tuesday. Skype’s iPhone application will be available on App Store as a free application and it will allow free calls between Skype users. Just like Skype for desktop, Skype-to-Skype calls will be free, but calls to traditional phones will be charged on per-minute. This application will also work Apple’s latest iPod Touch, which has in-built Wi-Fi for data connection. Unlike the first-gen iPod Touch, the latest iPod touch has a provision of microphone.

According to Webware, Skype for iPhone will have the look-and-feel of Apple’s sleek interface rather than having Skype’s branding. Calls can be made on Skype for iPhone only if you are under coverage of WiFi, and it will not work over cell phone network, but chatting can still be done over cellular network. The application makes use of iPhone’s inbuilt camera to snap pictures and use them as your profile avatar. You’ll be able to join conference calls, but you won’t be able to initiate one.

skype_6_2 Skype_8_2

I think the necessity of a WiFi connection to make a voice call is a big negative. However, the carriers will be very happy about this drawback since it wouldn’t bite their phone call revenues to the extreme extent. SMS and file-sharing are two things that are missing out, but I think it’ll eventually make its way into the application. Let’s keep our fingers crossed until Tuesday.

[Image Credit: Webware]

This post was published by on March 30, 2009

About the Author: Thilak Rao works as a Social Media Expert. He is one of the first professional bloggers from India, and he loves to write, travel and click photos. Follow him on Twitter @thilak

  • http://www.gadgets4nowt.co.uk/ PS3

    Finally :)

    I think this is something lots of us have been waiting for.

    I am looking forward to it.

  • http://www.pinnacleflashlights.com Fenix

    Really wishing my carrier would hop on the iPhone banwagon…

  • PhoneMonster

    You people at the iPhone are doing a wonderful job, meeting all the expectations and winning all the challenges. BRAVO 2 all of you.
    http://mobilenewz.net/

  • http://www.seosheen.com/ Social Media

    This is the first mobile operator to introduce the first 3G network in UK.This mobile operator is also the first one to facilitate free voice calling over the Internet with Skype. As well, this is the first to launch a steadfast Skype mobile phone called as the 3 Skypephone.