technology

We've been talking about that for about a week and it's finally here! Skype has updated their iOS appp to include video chatting feature. It works over Wi-Fi and 3G to another iPhone or to a Skype desktop user.


This update is meant for iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4G since the iPhone 4 was launched back in June introducing FaceTime. Video chat is a great feature from Skype but not everyone has an iPhone 4 or iPod touch 4G.

What's New in Version 3.0
- Make Skype to Skype video calls on WiFi and 3G*
- Call Skype desktop users (Mac OS X or Windows) and other iPhone users.
- Two-way video calls supported on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 4th gen.
- Receive only video supported on iPad and iPod touch 3rd gen, with no camera.
- Make video calls in portrait and landscape.
- Skype video calling requires iOS 4.0 or above.

You can update the app directly from your iOS device or get it from the iTunes link here. Let's see how do you like it!

This looks really awesome, Skype is preparing for a big surprise for iPhone and iPod touch users, according to Engadet, it appears that a new update is coming to Skype which allows the iPhone and iPod touch users to make a video chat with all Skype users even they were using a Skype desktop version.

How do I make video calls with Skype for iPhone?
The following questions and answers will help you get started with using Skype video calls on your iPhone.

To make video calls with your contacts, you will need an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, 3rd generation iPod touch, 4th generation iPod touch or an iPad. Your contacts will only be able to see you if your device has a camera. Make sure your device is running iOS 4.0 or above and that you are using Skype for iPhone 3.0 or above.
The contacts you are calling must be using one of the following Skype clients:

* Skype for Windows version 4.2 and above
* Skype for Mac OS X version 2.8 and above
* Skype for iPhone 3.0 and above

You can make Skype video calls by using a WiFi or 3G connection*. The quality of the video will depend upon the available network conditions.
*Additional data charges may apply. Check with your operator for details.
If you have an iPhone or iPod touch with two cameras – front and rear – you will be able to switch between them during a Skype video call. If you have an iPhone 3GS it will always use the rear camera.
If you turn your device into landscape mode, the camera picture will automatically rotate.
In both portrait and landscape mode double tapping anywhere on your screen will zoom the picture to take up the full extent of the screen. Double tapping again will take the picture back to its normal size.
While on a Skype video call the sound will always be played through the loudspeaker, unless a headset is plugged into the device.
During a video call tap your screen to display the camera and microphone controls. Tap and hold down the microphone button to put the call on hold. To resume the call, simply tap thehold symbol on the screen.
Yes, at any time during a Skype video call you can choose to turn off the video. Tap theCamera button and select the No Cameraoption. To turn the video back on tap theCamera button again and then tap the camera you want to switch on.
When your iPhone is processing a lot of video its CPU (Central Processing Unit) has to work very hard and makes the iPhone become warm to the touch. You will experience the same thing if you stream videos through applications like Netflix or YouTube.
Yes, you will be able to receive screen shares from people using Skype for Windows or Mac OSX. You cannot share what is on the screen of your iPhone with other people and you cannot receive a screen share from another iPhone user.
No, you will be switched to audio only, as Skype for iPhone does not support group video calling.
The quality of the video you send and receive from your iPhone will depend upon the quality and bandwidth available on the WiFi or 3G network you are connected to. For best results, make sure you have nothing else running that might use up your bandwidth.

Skype developers should worry starting from now as it has new competition on the iPhone platform thanks to Viber, a new VoIP app that allows you to make unlimited free calls to other iPhone users over Wifi and 3G connections. The app is totally free, runs in the background without draining your battery, doesn’t have any ads and won’t charge you anything to make calls.


Everyone who have an iPhone should go ahead and install this app right now. When you install Viber on your iPhone, the app syncs your device’s contact list and shows you which of your friends are also using Viber so you can make free calls to them from your iPhone, regardless of the model you use, no user registration required (not as Skype!).

Viber uses Apple’s push notifications to receive calls even when closed, by clicking “Answer” on the resulting alert opens the app and connects the call.

Here's other good news TechCrunch reporting for Android users, the company is currently working on developing a similar app for Android users and aims to release it in the first quarter of 2011. Viber will also introduce free text messaging between its users the same as HeyWire.

What're you waiting for? Just head over app store (iTunes link), install it then tell your friends to do the same. I doubt I’ll be using Skype for iPhone again. Anyone else will go with me?

The long-awaited app for Android fans, Skype has just announced that it is now available for Android phones, The new app allow you to use all Skype platform features, making free Skype-to-Skype calls, sending and receiving IMs for free, you can also call mobile phones and land lines with Skype rates.


The Skype app can work over WiFi or 3G, but Skype recommend to run it throw WiFi to get the best performance. You can download Skype from the Android Market, or from Skype (link at the end) directly from you Android phone. It is required Android OS 2.1 or later, you can check your version by tapping Settings > About.

Skype is not available in the Android Market in China or Japan.
Skype has been tested on HTC and Motorola devices with Android OS 2.1 and above. 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.
It’s free to use Skype in a WiFi zone. If you use Skype with a mobile data connection, operator charges may apply, so we recommend an unlimited data plan.
In the US, Skype for Android phones works over WiFi only.
A fair use policy applies to unlimited subscriptions.

Download Skype for Android (You should visit this link from your Android Phone).

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