Skype for Android 2.1 supports more devices, including: Acer A5; HTC Desire (2.2); HTC Desire HD; HTC Evo 3D; HTC Evo 4G; HTC Flyer (tablet); HTC Incredible S; HTC Sensation; HTC Thunderbolt - Verizon (2.2) (US only); and LG Revolution.
Skype delivered on its
promise to bring its video calling capabilities to more Android devices Aug. 4,
adding support for 17 smartphones and tablets to its Skype for Android software.
The VOIP provider, which
is being acquired for Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) for $8.5 billion,
launched Skype for Android 2.0 in June, supporting only the Google Nexus S, HTC
Desire 5, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo and the Sony Ericsson Xperia pro smartphones.
Skype for Android lets
users make video calls to, and receive calls from, Skype users who are using
landlines, Android phones, Apple's iPhone, Windows and Mac computers, as well
as some Web-connected TVs.
Skype for Android users may also send SMS messages
to friends and family. The app works over WiFi and 3G mobile broadband
connections.
Skype for Android
2.1
has performance enhancements and bug removals, but more importantly the
company has added support for these handsets and tablets: Acer
A5; HTC Desire (2.2); HTC Desire HD; HTC Evo 3D; HTC Evo 4G; HTC Flyer
(tablet);
HTC Incredible S; HTC Sensation; HTC Thunderbolt - Verizon (2.2) (US
only); LG
Revolution - Verizon (2.2) (US only);
Samsung Droid Charge - Verizon (2.2) (US
only); Samsung Galaxy S; Samsung Galaxy S II; Samsung Galaxy Tab (tablet); Sony
Ericsson Xperia mini pro; Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY; and Sony Ericsson Xperia
ray.
Mark Douglas, Skype's
project manager for Android and Symbian applications, said owners of Android phone
and tablets running Android 2.2 (Froyo) whose devices aren't part of Skype's
current lineup of 21 gadgets should still be able to enable video calling in
your Skype settings.
These devices users must go to "Skype settings"
after launching the app and select "enable video calling."
Douglas offered one caveat in his blog post:
"Unfortunately, if you cannot see the
video calling settings, it means your Android phone does not meet the minimum
requirements needed to make Skype video calls," Douglas wrote. "Please be
aware that video call quality may not be as good as on a certified Android
device and only the back camera of the device will work if your device is
running on Android 2.2 (Froyo)."
Skype for Android provides an alternative to Qik, a popular video
chat application on many Android phones. Google does not yet provider a
video calling solution for mobile phones. Download the Skype for
Android app from the
Android Market here.
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