Skype for Android received a nice update today that will help to complement your tablet’s screen. More specifically, the app is now designed to support video calling in portrait view on your Android tablet. Also in the update, Skype for Android now supports Portuguese, Norwegian and English (UK). Finally, the update brings a few bug fixes and performance boosts.

On a side note, Skype was purchased by Microsoft in May of 2011 for $8.5 billion. This price is now estimated to be 32 times more than Skype’s overall operating profit. However, Skype still leads the world in video chatting and has only grown stronger since they expanded into Facebook.

Overall, the application is very well designed and fits almost every type of screen. Not to mention the fact that the app is pretty much bug-free. In my use of Skype over the past few years, I have never experienced a single problem and the call quality is always great.

Be sure to download the Skype official version of the app. The Skype and Verizon version of the app has not been updated since July of 2011.

What is your favorite video chatting service? Do you think that Skype is a good replacement for a lack of face time in modern society? Let us know in the comments below.

[ Source ]

The post Skype for Android Update Brings Portrait Calling And More Languages appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

This new version of Skype for Android offers features significant enough to bring it numbering to 2.6.x field from the previous 2.5 versions. The usual roster of features are retained:

– Skype-to-Skype free IMs, video and voice calls over 3G or WiFi;

– Low cost calls and SMSes to mobile phones or landline phones from the Skype on the Android device;

– Sending pictures, videos, and files to any of the Skype contacts;

– Improved voice quality for calls

– improved support for phones with Froyo (Android 2.2).

Below are the features that are either improved, or new, as per Skype’s announcement:

– Easier signing out, and also auto-signing in;

– Improved look (of an app though, and not you, or your correspondent!);

– Voicemail improvements

– Better video quality on Tegra 2 devices.

It is also said that sending videos and photos aren’t the only improvements with Skype 2.6 for Android, as battery life is improved with this version especially for devices running on NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 chipset – where these will include the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Motorola XOOM and Acer Iconia Tablet among others. Not only that, a bunch of other devices that now support video include the HTC Amaze 4G, Motorola DROID 4 and Motorola DROID RAZR, just to keep up with the times. Basically, as long as your device has Android 2.2 Froyo or better, you can always try to give Skype video calling a go.

The upgrade is very fresh on Android Market, but the first response is quite enthusiastic: users note better video call support, auto-login features that save on entering password every time Skype app is started, and some more.

The post Skype 2.6.0.75 For Android Adds Video Calling And More appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Skype has grown to be a popular alternative of communicating between friends and family that are separated by long distances, due to the fact that it is both free to use and it wisely utilizes the webcams and microphones that are standard on almost all laptops and netbooks.

Up until yesterday the mobile Skype application had been limited with features and did not included video-calling like its desktop counterpart did. Skype released the latest update for the iPhone and iPod touch, among the improvements is the addition of video-calling for the iPhone 4, it allows a user to make video calls on either WiFi and or 3G network connections. Its ability to make video-calls over 3G is a surprise because Facetime from Apple is still restricted to making video-calls over WiFi.

The update will allow owners of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and 4^th Gen iPod touch to use the two-way calling feature to other devices or to Skype desktop users. Users on iPad and 3^rd Gen iPod touch will only be able to receive video. To say that this is a welcomed update may be an understatement, and I am certain that everyone will find value in this new development; regardless of the minimal downtime Skype experienced earlier this week.

Improvements:

• 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.

*Additional Data charges may apply

[Tek Goblin via iTunes]

The post Skype update allows video-calling over iPhone 3G appeared first on Mobile Magazine.