Skype also improved battery life and video quality with Skype 2.6 for Android devices using Nvidia's Tegra 2 chipset.
Voice
over IP (VOIP) service provider Skype announced the latest version of its
service for Google Android devices, Skype 2.6 for Android, which allows users
to send photos and videos to contacts from Skype on an Android device. The
service is free and works over WiFi or 3G on a mobile data plan.
As
well as offering photo, video and file sending, Skype improved battery life and
video quality with Skype 2.6 for Android on devices using Nvidia's Tegra 2
chipset, which include the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Motorola Xoom and Acer
Iconia Tablet.
"We
are also working hard to extend the list of whitelisted devices for video
support. These handsets have been tested by Skype's Engineering Team to ensure
the best possible video experience. Latest additions include the HTC Amaze 4G
and Motorola Droid Razr," wrote Skype Senior Product Manager Dan Chastney
on the company's blog. "In general, almost anyone with an Android device
running Android 2.2 (Froyo) or above can try out Skype video calling for free. We'll
let you know if you can turn on video calling when you first start up Skype on
a non whitelisted handset."
On
the Android Market Website, Google noted that due to Android restrictions,
devices running Android 2.2 will only be able to use the rear-facing camera,
though devices with Android 2.3 or higher will be able to use both front- and
rear-facing cameras.
Skype
continues to put an emphasis on video calling capabilities via Web interfaces
and mobile devices as more capable handsets, such as the Apple iPhone 4S, hit
the market. Having been integrated into Microsoft, Skype is now moving ahead
with new Facebook integration and some new features for its Mac and Windows
versions.
The
latest versions of Skype for Mac and Windows now boast the ability to conduct
Facebook-to-Facebook calls from within Skype. Starting such a call involves
connecting the user's Skype and Facebook accounts, then selecting a Facebook
friend with whom to chat. Skype is also smoothing the video-rendering
capabilities of Skype 5.4 Beta for Mac, and has added to Skype 5.7 Beta for
Windows a group screen-sharing capability for any Windows users with a Premium
subscription.
Microsoft
purchased Skype for $8.5 billion earlier this year, turning the VOIP provider
into a business division headed by Skype CEO Tony Bates. Microsoft executives
have repeatedly announced their intention to tightly integrate Skype's assets
with Microsoft products, ranging from Xbox Kinect to Windows Phone, although
support for "non-Microsoft client platforms" such as the Mac will
apparently continue for the duration.
Nathan Eddy is Associate Editor, Midmarket, at eWEEK.com. Before joining eWEEK.com, Nate was a writer with ChannelWeb and he served as an editor at FierceMarkets. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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