Skype Reaches Blackberry and iPhone

by Anton Shilov
03/31/2009 | 11:03 PM

Skype, the world’s most popular voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) service, will shortly be available on Blackberry and iPhone smartphones, further expanding reach of the serice as well as potential customer base.

“We have heard loud and clear that our users want Skype on whichever smartphone they choose to use. This fulfills our promise of making Skype available on the major smartphones so consumers and mobile professionals can connect to Skype whenever, wherever and however they choose,” said Scott Durchslag, Skype's chief operating officer.

The Skype applications for Apple iPhone and RIM Blackberry will deliver core Skype capabilities:

• Free Skype-to-Skype calls from any Wi-Fi zone to other Skype users worldwide
• Call landline or mobile phones at Skype's great low rates from any Wi-Fi zone
• Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups via 3G, Wi-Fi, GPRS or EDGE (whichever is available)
• Receive calls to a personal online number on Skype
• See when Skype contacts are online/available to IM or talk

It should be noted that it is impossible to make Skype calls while in an EDGE/3G network as the system automatically tries to make the phone call using typical voice function of the mobile phone, hence, it is impossible to save on voice phone calls everywhere.

Skype application for Blackberry and iPhone will be available for free.