Skype

Another update to the Skype iPhone and iPad apps has been released, adding new features and bug fixes. Desktop users will recognize some of these features, which include the ability to log in with your Microsoft account. This integration is the next step in Microsoft's plan to replace the Messenger IM client with Skype.

The Skype iPhone app can now be used to chat directly with contacts on Hotmail, Messenger or Outlook.com. Those who are new to Skype will find that an account can be created directly from the app, no computer required. Account holders with the iPhone 5 probably noticed that Skype optimized its app for the larger display, already released in a previous update.

Skype updated their iPhone and iPad apps to version 4.1 on Tuesday. The upgrade brings a new photo sharing feature, a few minor bug fixes and minor visual improvements. The photo sharing feature requires that both users are connected to Skype’s instant messaging service to work.

If sharing pictures of food is not your thing, Skype 4.1 is also supposed to improve the app’s battery performance, plus fix a bug related to Bluetooth and calls. Existing users can upgrade to version 4.1 starting today.

Skype has released version 3.0 of its iOS application with full support for 3G video calling to other Skype members. This app will give FaceTime a run for its money, as Apple's video conferencing solution is currently limited to Wi-Fi only.

The Skype app of course supports audio calling for iPhones lacking a front facing camera and Skype text chat. Skype 3.0 is available now on iTunes for free and works on iPhones running iOS version 3.0 and later.

The iPhone news mill was awash Friday with word of a leaked Skype help document that indicated that Skype would soon be bringing video chat capabilities to their iPhone and still-in-development iPad apps. Shortly after word of the document began to spread, Skype kind-of-sort-of pulled the document from their web site.

Finally the Skype update that iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 users have been waiting for. Not only does Skype 2.0.1 make it possible to receive calls at all times, the application allows calls to continue uninterrupted in the background while the iPhone is used for other things. These improvements take advantage of iOS 4 multitasking and make the Skype app much more user friendly.

Skype had announced that calls placed over 3G data networks instead of W-Fi would incur a fee after an introductory period. The company now explains that it has dropped plans to institute a 3G calling charge, keeping Wi-Fi and 3G cellular calling expenses unchanged.

Skype fans can finally rejoice as 3G cellular data calling has been added to the latest Skype iPhone app, version 2.0. The feature has been long-awaited by Skype users. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calling doesn't use up cellular plan minutes, although it does use data bandwidth.

Previously, Skype users were limited to making calls with the iPhone app on a Wi-Fi network. Several other apps have already added 3G VoIP support. Skype 2.0 is currently free of charge, although the company may start charging a monthly fee for 3G calls starting in 2011.

UPDATE: Skype version 3.0 has been released and supports 3G video calling.

Skype announced that a new iPhone application supporting VoIP services over the AT&T 3G network was being developed in early February. The current version is limited to Wi-Fi only.

Reports have surfaced that Skype and Verizon Wireless have cemented a 2-3 year exclusive deal to develop and run Skype applications on Verizon smartphones. iPhone owners have been waiting for a 3G-enabled version of the Skype app for some time.

Now that AT&T and Apple have lifted the Wi-Fi only restrictions on applications like SlingPlayer, Skype users naturally expected they would be the next to benefit from this change. In fact, Skype already has a 3G-ready app but the company has delayed its release due to concerns over AT&T's network.

Many had speculated that the iPhone 3GS would have a front-facing camera and feature video calling, however this did not come to fruition. Now fring has released the first-ever video calling application for the iPhone.

Fring works with Google Talk, Skype, Facebook and AIM and has supported VoiP communications since the beginning. Version 3.0 with video chat support works with any iPhone running firmware 3.0 or later.