Some big news for sociable people today, with the latest Android update of the Skype app unlocking full video call functionality on Android. It works cross-platform, too, so you’ll be able to video chat with people on their PCs, iPhones or even televisions that come with the app pre-loaded.
Works over both wi-fi and 3G, too. Lovely. Just keep your webcam pointing at your face, OK, James?
Get it via the Android Market or have a look at a video of some very attractive promotional people using it on YouTube. Here’s the press release:
Skype brings Video Calling to Android Phones
Luxembourg, 30th June 2011 – Skype today announced an updated version of its Skype for Android app – Skype for Android 2.0, bringing Skype Video Calling to the currently fastest growing mobile OS[1].
With the new version, users will be able to make and receive free[2] 1-to-1 video calls over Skype between their Android phone and other Skype contacts on the iPhone, Mac, Windows PCs and even TVs[3]. Skype for Android with video works over Wi-Fi or 3G data connections and can be downloaded for free from the Android Market or Skype.com/m using any phone browser.
“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 Skype for Android app,” said Neil Stevens, Skype’s vice president and general manager for product and marketing. “With approximately 30 million concurrent users logging into Skype at any given time[4] and making up to half a million simultaneous video calls[5], Skype for Android with video makes it even easier for users to share moments with their contacts wherever they are.”
In addition to video calls, users can also make calls to landlines and mobiles around the world, as well as send SMS’s to friends and family anywhere in the world at great Skype rates. All this comes with a complete redesign of the Skype for Android user interface. There’s a new main menu on the Skype app for Android where users can navigate easily through their contacts, access their Skype profile to change personal details or see the balance of their Skype Credit. Finally a new mood message box at the top of the Skype app menu makes it easier than ever for users to share how they are feeling, what they’ve seen, or what they’re up to.
For this first phase of launch, handsets that support video calling include the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S.
It’s smooth to use, the 1080p display is sharp, clear and bright, the device is extremely light and thin and therefore very pocketable and portable — much more so than other 5-inch phones we’ve used. And yet… we’re a bit unimpressed by the overall package…
A relatively high-spec smartphone, with a 4.5″ display running at 480 x 854 resolution and powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, plus the Ascend G510 arrives running Android 4.1.1 — albeit potentially hindered by Huawei only sticking 512MB of RAM inside it..
The Panasonic Eluga marks the company’s return to the European mobile phone scene years after several years of absence, and it’s come back to us with a moderately high-spec Android model that features a rather stylish, slim case.
Sony returns with an all-new mobile design for 2012, pairing a dual-core processor with a 720p display. It’s a lovely phone, but is it enough to end our Samsung and HTC obsession?
LG’s updated Prada phone comes with an absolutely crazy black & white theme, but is it just for fashionable suit wearers who want to make themselves look a bit more interesting?
Dave P
/ June 30, 2011Headline should really say “Skype 2.0 brings cross-platform video calling to CERTAIN ANDROID phones”.
Why the limitation?
hatim
/ June 30, 2011What a tease, does only work on selected handsets. Does not work on rooted CM 7.1 Optimus 2x for now.
Paul
/ June 30, 2011Boo to no support for Galaxy S2