Skype brings video calling to Android

Skype has launched a new version of its Android app ‚ Skype for Android 2.0 – which includes video calling capabilities for the first time.

Skype has launched a new version of its Android app ‚ Skype for Android 2.0 – which includes video calling capabilities for the first time. The VoIP pioneer ‚ which was acquired by Microsoft earlier this year ‚ will allow video calling initially only on a few Android phones: the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S. The Android video call app works over Wi-Fi and 3G data connections and is available both from Android Market and via the phone browser.

Skype said the new feature will enable users to make and receive free 1-to-1 video calls over Skype between their Android phone and other Skype contacts on the iPhone, Mac, Windows PCs and even TVs. “We are committed to bring Skype Video Calling to as many platforms as possible and are delighted to deliver on this with our new updated Android video chat app,”” said Neil Stevens, Skype’s vice president and general manager for product and marketing. The upgrade comes just prior to an expected new version of the Skype app for the iPad, which will also support video calling. On this platform, the feature will be seen as a competitor to Apple’s own FaceTime service, which is Wi-Fi only. As well as the addition of video calling, Skype said that the new Android app comes with a ‚complete redesign,‚ including a new ‚mood message box‚ for Facebook-style status updates.

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