Skype finally comes to Android

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CNET Editor

Joe capitalises on a life-long love of blinking lights and upbeat MIDI soundtracks covering the latest developments in smartphones and tablet computers. When not ruining his eyesight staring at small screens, Joe ruins his eyesight playing video games and watching movies. Twitter: @Joseph_Hanlon

Skype messaging and calling is finally available for owners of Android phones running version 2.1 or higher of the operating platform — 18 months after its launch on the iPhone.

Skype on the Nexus One.
(Credit: Skype)

The Skype app for Android brings a mature feature set, not only can users make Skype-to-Skype calls over 3G or Wi-Fi, but customers can also use Skype credit to make Skype-out calls to landlines and mobiles, offering cheap long distance rates compared with standard telco charges.

The app also automatically combines your Skype contact with contacts in your phone's address book. After syncing your contacts you can then select to make a call or message using Skype directly from the address book.

The launch is not without caveats and hiccups. While the app should work on phones running Android 2.1 or 2.2, lots of users on the Android Market have said that they are having trouble working on specific devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S.

We should also point out to any US users that the Skype app is restricted to Wi-Fi connectivity only in America — unless you're a Verizon customer, in which case you can only make 3G calls. Thankfully, things are much simpler down under.

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Add Your Comment 6


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teamjet posted a comment   
Australia

Skype Video working on selected devices now -

 

Adzy posted a comment   

Works great on my Desire.. Just no one to call :(

 

hmmm posted a comment   

About time too.I've been with 3 for a long time now and have not been able to take them up with their free skype offer.
Hopefully now I can use it.

 

totoaus posted a comment   

How come you took away the print layout option on all your articles?
It was there last week, and I got in the habit on making PDFs of nearly everything I read (only omitting boring ones).

 

Kimmie posted a comment   

Doesnt work on my wildfire.... ?

 

Brad posted a comment   

ABOUT TIME!




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