Skype and the Apple iPad
We’ve updated our iPhone app – you can now receive video calls on your iPad.
Update: We’ve released a quick update to our iPhone app which addresses a couple of iPad teething problems. You can download it now (opens in the App Store). Your feedback is still very welcome though, so keep those comments coming.
As you may have noticed, the Apple iPad has been released in the US today.
We don’t yet know how our app will behave on the iPad. Some journalists who had early access have reported that the existing Skype for iPhone app works just fine on the iPad hardware. This is great news, but certainly doesn’t give us enough confidence to be able to announce and release an app today as we want to give you the best Skype experience possible.
You can expect to hear more from us about an iPad app in the coming months as we now have our hands on actual iPads and can start tuning and testing.
I’d be very interested to hear from you about your experiences, so please keep me posted, either in the comments below or on Twitter: @peteratskype.
I want to use Skype on my Ipad to make reasonable quality video calls over wifi. Is this possible?
Skype over wifi works great on my iPad. The call quality is very excellent. It would be nice to be able to use my bluetooth headset. I hope to see an iPad version soon. Also, I’m hoping for a video version for my soon to arrive iPhone 4.
Skype has just released an update which prevents me from accessing my contacts even when I am offline, what is bad news. I put all my phone contacts on skype and was able to access them through my ipod and my ipad, now it is just the past.
When are we going to get the iPad App?
The iPhone App really look bad compared to Twitter Apps dedicated for iPad!
Thanks Skype – I LOVE my skype app for Ipad/Iphone! It doesn’t bother me that I have to view in ’2x’ mode on my ipod I am so excited to be using my skype account on my new 3g Ipad it ROCKS!!!
I downloaded skype to my Ipad. When I change my working window, I mean, when I switch to other app skype does not run. Is it possible for skype to run while I am doing something else as in regular PC or MAC.
Still avoid answering our simple questions. It passed for weeks and Skype makes nothing for iPad apps. Peter only says they updated their apps for iphone and we can use it with ipad. Well done Do you think it is enough for iPad? Using iphone apps in iPad is such a stupid thing. No need to use iphone apps in iPad. It should have done an iPad apps weeks ago with better keybord options. I am thinking like eesaramez, I will not use Skype anymore and I will cancel my automatic payment and maybe I will delete my acount. No need to use it which has no responsibles for the users demands. Aim made a very good apps which has a good chat and also Msn and Facebook support. It also has a feed support in it and Truphone made their iPad version as soon as possible and it works great and it looks decent. I am disapointed for Skype but I think they don’t want to continue to be number 1 anymore. No need to prevaricate Mr. Peter Parkes. Shame on Skype.
@akinkaraman not quite sure what you want us to do, other than get our iPad app out more quickly! We’re working on it right now, but we’d prefer to take a little longer to release something great than to rush something out which isn’t ready.
Well, I just cancel my signature today, the reason was that… NO SKYPE FOR IPAD AND NO SKYPE FOR MY XPERIA X10 with ANDROID 1.6. So good luck, there are others doing better.
well, maybe soon we’ll get that iPad update to the store… hopefully one that supports video incoming… seeing as skype is one of the only important apps I have on my iPad that HASN’T gotten at least a UI update…. maybe… and then hopefully by sometime I’ll have an iPhone 4 app to do TWO way video.
So I’ve downloaded Skype App for iPad. I’ve been able to chat & call my contacts via iPad.
But no capability of video calling. Any ideas as to any solution to this problem?
Will someone please tell me why anyone would want Skype AND 3G? The great thing about Skype is that it’s a money saver. I pay $60./year for a telephone number and service that has voice mail, conference calling, caller i.d., video calling and other options. WHY would I add the cost of a cell phone provider? I don’t use a cell phone. I use Skype only. Wifi is nearly everywhere now. Sure, I can’t use it while I’m driving, but that isn’t safe anyway.
Dear Peter,
I just bought an iPad today and the first thing I tried to do was to get into Skype. So, skype is a MUST in the iPad platform!
Good to know you guys are already working on that.
Thanks.
Here’s my experience with Skype on the iPad: it’s July 1st, I’m still running the iPhone version and there’s not so much as a peep about an iPad version.
I can however, rest assured with the knowledge that Skype has opened a new office on the other side of the world, so at least I have that going for me.
I have no iPhone app to compare with, but the iPad works fine for phone calls. Just set up account with a new user and the phone quality on the iPad, TX to CA, clear and great. Excellent! Waiting for the (one way) video..but since I can see webcams in other apps, I’m guessing Skype will work that way soon. Might even now…searching the blogosphere for that, which what brought me here. Long line of both solid help and gripes! But comments helpful …thanks!
I’m very disappointed with skype, they did a great job with the app for iphone, but it’s not acceptable that they didn’t create an ipad app yet, using the iphone app looks disgusting on the ipad, my father cancelled his account because of that, the app doesn’t have to be perfect on the first day, later they update, they are loosing lots of clients because of no update for iphone 4, ios4 and ipad, I hope you release it soon.
I initially tried the download from app store on my iPad and it didn’t work. This version worked straightaway. I definitely looking forward to a proper version for the iPad though, can’t wait. Keep up the work guys, great app! JosephMedia.co.uk.
I initially tried the download from app store on my iPad and it didn’t work. This version worked straightaway. I definitely looking forward to a proper version for the iPad though, can’t wait. Keep up the work guys, great app! JosephMedia.co.uk.
Skype on the iPad works Ok but it is a pity that it does not use the advantages of the HD screen even using 2X. Please release a native apps for Skype !
Looking forward
Rgds Jorge
Joining the previous commenters. It’s been 3 months since the iPad came out, and clearly it shouldn’t take a major company this long to update their app with what is mostly UI cosmetics. iPhone app works perfectly on the iPad – so I’m assuming it’s mostly interface work to be done?
Of course, push notifications would be great also. Third-party chat clients can notify me of new IM messages on Facebook or Google Talk, why can’t Skype?
Now that I think of it – UI is the biggest issue I have with Skype in general. As a Mac/iOS user, I guess I’m spoiled.
Hi guys, it’s been quite a long time that the iPad is out there.
The skype app is ok, bit the UI is BAD, when will you update ?
I have been using Skype (including Skype Out) in my iPad 3G with no problems.
When I use through ATT 3G, it tells me that I can make free Skype calls via 3G until August. (But remember that voice and video takes a lot of data and you’ll soon use up your monthly ATT mileage.)
But I agree with the previous post (UI). The Skype app is the same for the iPhone, therefore does not take advantage of the nice bigger screen of the iPad.
Otherwise, it works just fine and perfect, except the fact the iPad has no video camera, and there’s nothing Skype can do about that.
What would be super cool is if you guys at Skype could somehow use the iPhone camera as a camera for Skype video chat on the iPad. There are already apps that use the iPhone camera for stills on the iPad. Even when the iPad gets a camera, holding the iPad in the right position will be inconvenient, so this solution would add a lot of flexibility. There would be a button in the iPad app, and a stand alone app on the iPhone to share the camera!
Please make this possible!
Hi Peter,
Fix the blutooth headset problem & you’re on your way to a winner. The headset should also receive a push tone/indicator when being used for iTunes/pandora etc. & the phone switch like on the Motorola s305 should be recognized for easy call pick up.
Regards,
Rob
Hi Peter,
I have downloaded and installed the Skype app for the iPAD. While all works OK I would say the key thing resolve is getting Skype to remain active in the bakground to others can still see that you are on-line even though you may be running othr aps in the forgrnd. Currently if I hit the home button after using Skype I get automatically logged off.
I know no one will answer my questions but i just wanted to give out some coments on this stuff, first of all, why are all of you people taking this so personal, its not Skype’s fault you just demand more than hell. I’m happy using Skype even if it’s not exactly as I want it to be. I use Skype on my iPad and well, it’s nice but will there be an iPad specific app soon? We iPad users are sort of tired of having to work with iPhone apps at 2x, it’s not the same and it doesn’t feel good. Don’t get me wrong, I love Skype and really think this is a good product but well, it still needs some improvements. Hope there would be an iPad specific app that looks similar to the Mac version of Skype. Will this be possible some day? Or is it just me dreaming?
Ok, I know the app is free so we shouldn’t say anything about it, but it’s so not fair!
Skype was updated today for IOS4?
iPad users have waited months to get an ipad skype version, but IOS4 was only released a month ago, and after all this waiting, no iPad update?
Please release the app for iPad, again it doesn’t have to be perfect on day 1, I’m freaking out because I use skype a lot, every 12 hours I open the appstore to see if there is an update, please, I’m begging you, release the app for god’s sake!
Hopefully this will be released very soon… I bought my iPad thinking Skype will be one of my top used apps as I truly use it a lot; however, was never aware that the app doesn’t even exist. Somewhat disappointed but let’s hope that changes soon.
Dear Peter,
I would like to know how to receive video calls from my Ipad using the Skype app, if it’s not possible, will this feature be added soon?
Thanks!
Hello Peter,
Do you have now a closer date to communicate for the new Skype Ipad App? Will it be abble to receive video calls?
Thanks a lot for your answer.
You do not need Peter for this question, I can give you an answer. No, Skype for iPad will not support Video calls, from one simple reason; iPad has no camera!
We need just one simple thing in future Skype for iPad, just support for iPad screen resolution.
I just test many others voip clients for ipad (or compatible ipad), like isip, softphone, media voip, fring and whistle. No one beat Skype quality. It’t like Skype took an arrangment with Apple to have the best quality… I’m using Telus Canada at 20$ per month for the internet. Now, when reading all those articles, it remember me in 2006 when i trash skype because of sound quality. Maybe Verizon has the control over Skype, Like oil company has control over electric car )).
The only thing I really know is when i start to be unsatisfy, i change the provider.
It’s true, the iPad was released quite a long time ago and still no iPad app, well I find myself using everyday more and more Skype for iPad and still no native app, well that’s quite disappointing, because it made its way to my dock in the iPad and it’s the only app that I have to use at 2X and with no push notifications which by the way obliges me to exit the app once I need to do something else.
I like Skype but would really like to know when will the iPad app be released if it will, please give us a date and we most certainly wont bother anymore, but we need to know if we’ll have to wait 5 months more or just some weeks.
Dear Peter I hope that you guys will release a new version for the ipad that includes video, yes mbazdar, video, it’s true that the ipad does not have camera but before skype and fring started to point fingers, I was able to use sky via fring with one way video.
I hope that the new version of skype could have this feature and not have to depend of third party companies
Thanks in advance
Dear Peter,
I really don’t understand why Skype can’t grasp the fact that people want an iPad app out asap even if it doesn’t DO anything more than the iPhone app. They just want it to look nice on the iPad. All the extras can come later. I assume that the hold off has a lot to do with ios4… If so why don’t you just say so. In the absence of an iPad app I know it would make me feel better as a skype customer to AT LEAST have an estimated date for when you guys think you can release an iPad app.
Skype’s business is communication. Why can’t skype COMMUNICATE with it’s customers?
Give the customers an app, or give them an ETA. Simple.
Can we each make a donation to move this along?
Peter’s profile says:
“I’m Skype’s blogger-in-chief. The head honcho, if you like. I manage our team of bloggers, as well as running our Twitter and Facebook profiles. I’m based in London, but travel the world in my quest to find interesting people to meet and stories to tell.”
For a head honcho whose job is blogging he’s very quiet when it comes to answering any type of question other than with his stock “I don’t know what more you want- we’re working on it” answer.
What we want, Peter, is a straight eta…
More than likely they are waiting for IOS4 – I know more than a few awesome apps that won’t be released until IOS4 is on the iPad simply because they need the added API’s that are in there.
It sucks, but it’ll be worth the wait.
Does Skype+iPad+Bluetooth stereo headsets (Backbeat 903) work?
All other apps work except Skype. Seems like a Skype issue?
@dsam2000 Skype doesn’t support Bluetooth headsets on the iPhone or iPad – the way iOS works means that we can’t send audio to them with high enough quality.
The basic issue here is my 3GS iphone+old Skype app lasted 20 hours without charge and after the upgrade to new Skype app battery life reduced to 5 hours [or less] due to Skype running in background, nothing else has changed. This is unacceptable and ceases to be a viable iphone app for the business traveller or anyone who does not have access to electricity i.e going hiking for the day. The user must have an option to activate/deactivate background running.
Dear Peter
Not technical enough to understand comment re iOS. Jabra Extreme pairs with ipad no problem. Have tried Jabra Extreme headset with Skype on my Toshiba laptop and works great. Why can’t same work for iPad. I would definitely be prepared to trade off some sound quality for convenience of Bluetooth. Thanks
Can you give us a time estimate? Which month maybe? I love Skype and my iPad, but the iPhone version just doesn’t cut it.
no iPad native app after several months, no Bluetooth support on iphones, I’m leaving skype in search of better choices. Guys the competition is huge, and you’re losing so many trains..
I am new to iPad … haven’t bought one because it doesen’t have a camera … maybe Skype and Apple are working closer than we think … and Skype is waiting until the second generation iPad (which I hope has a camera) before they release Skype app for iPad …. I dunno … maybe I am way off base.
Any news about progress for iPad app ?
Maybe ETA ?
It’s been a long wait…
Uh, it’s been quite a while and still no app. Guess it’s time to move to another service.
Hi, any update with regart to new interface for iPad? the Skype somewhat works, but the screen is so tiny….
October 12 and still no iPad app. As “gmarks1″ mentioned, maybe it’s time to move to another service like IM+ unless ….
One more thing. I’ve tried to call with iPad’s (iPhone’s) app and it works well. So, it should be a reason to move on and build a iPad version of Skype !!!!!!!