Skype 2.0 for Android: Say hello to video calling
Today we have released a Skype 2.0 for Android, introducing Skype video calling to the Android Market.
The main improvements over the previous version of Skype in the Skype 2.0 for Android are:
- Video calling
- Ability to send SMS messages
- User experience improvements
Install the new Skype experience now via the Android Market. You’re welcomed to discuss how you like this new version on Skype Support Network. We’re keen to hear youre feedback.
A bit more details on the improvements of Skype:
Video calling
We have introduced a video calling support on the new Skype for Android. This enables you to see youre beloved ones while on go. You can make video calls over mobile data and Wifi connections.
We are currently supporting video calling on four devices, but we are actively working on adding support for more devices.
The currently supported devices are:
- Google Nexus S
- HTC Desire S
- Sony Ericsson Xperia neo
- Sony Ericsson Xperia pro
Ability to send SMS messages
We have introduced in Skype 2.0 a possibility to send SMS messages, so now you can conveniently send your messages from Skype while you’re on the go on our competitive rates.
User Experience improvements
When building the Skype 2.0 for Android we made big efforts to iron out the few quirks we had on the initial version and we made a number of changes to the user experience based on your feedback to the initial version of Skype for Android.
The technical bits for this release.
System requirements
Skype 2.0 for Android is designed to run on the devices which run on Android OS 2.1 or newer, with at least 600 MHz of CPU power and with screen resolutions of 320*240; 240*400; 480*320; 800*480; 854*480.
Skype will also work on devices which have different screen resolution or slower CPU’s, but the performance will be degraded, especially on calls.
Known issues
As with any software this version of Skype has in few known issues, please be aware of them while using it:
| Devices affected | Category | Description | Current solution |
| All | Birthday notifications | Birthday notifications are shown only after user logs in and not during long running session | User has to log out and in again to receive birthday notifications |
| All | Calling | Usage of Bluetooth headsets is not supported for Skype calls. They might work depending on device. | None available |
| All | Calling | Call drops when 2G/3G changes back to wifi: In case user has enabled Wi-Fi and 2G/3G connection and receives Skype call while on 2G/3G connection, call drops if device changes connection back to Wi-Fi | None available |
| All | Calling | Call quality depends on the signal strength of Wi-Fi connection and the bandwidth of 3G connection | In case call quality is not optimal, make sure you have good network connection |
| All | Calling | If Skype is not running and the user initiates a call from native address book even though there is no available data connection. The application falsely thinks it’s gone online. | None available |
| All | Calling | Video calling to the iPad 1 that is using the Skype for iPhone app is currently not working; the call automatically gets downgraded to an audio call. | none available |
| All | Calling | During an ongoing call, it is not possible to change in call volume while proximity sensor is activated. | Move phone away from head to deactivate proximity sensor, then change the call volume. |
| All | Generic | When upgrading Skype then the previous history on the device will be lost | None available |
| All | Generic | Skype is auto-starting after sign-out / force close | Skype is a “search provider” type of application. As a consequence of this, the default behavior of the Android platform is to try to restart the application if it crashes or the user does a force close. Skype does not auto-start itself after signing out of Skype. |
| All | Generic | On very rare occasions upgrading to a new version of Skype for Android fails and the user is no longer able to upgrade/re-install Skype for Android. | After a master reset of the device Skype for Android can be installed again. |
| All | Generic | On some devices, radio music is not stopped automatically when Skype call comes in. Call can be received, but when answering the call, radio music is still played along with Skype call sound. | User has to stop radio manually. |
| All | Generic | When used with large accounts and Wi-Fi goes into hibernation mode. The application can sometimes get into a state where it is not able to go back online. | Go to app manager and kill client, restart the client |
| All | Generic | With very large accounts (600+ contacts) the performance of the application will not be optimal. | |
| All | Instant messaging | On some occasions the chat messages may appear in wrong order | None available. |
| All | Voicemail | User cannot leave voicemail — although calls get directed to voicemail and user hears voicemail greeting, voicemails are not saved and sent to remote party | None available |
| HTC Thunderbolt | Calling | Device’s audio quality is generally poor (fuzzy, choppy, delayed) | None available |
| Motorola Milestone 2.0; Motorola Milestone 2.1; Motorola Milestone XT720 2.1 |
Calling | In case user receives incoming GSM call during Skype call, it may happen that audio is not sent/received during GSM call. | None available |
| Samsung Galaxy S GT-I9000; Samsung Galaxy S Mesmerize; Samsung Galaxy S Epic 4G; Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant; Samsung Galaxy S Captivate; Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate; Samsung Transform; Samsung Intercept |
Generic | Skype 2.0 for Android is not able to login on the following devices with Android 2.1 and below. | Upgrade your Android to 2.3 or to 2.2 depending on the availability. |
| Samsung Galaxy Spica I5700 2.1; HTC Legend 2.1 |
Connection | Connection is not seamless for these devices. When user has enabled both WiFi and 2G/3G connection, after a while, device switches to 2G/3G, but for other contacts, user appears to be offline as there really isn’t no connection in the device | None available |
| Samsung Galaxy Spica I5700 2.1; LG Aloha 2.1; HTC Wildfire; HTC Legend |
Generic | Altough these phone models fulfill the criteria’s to be compatible for Skype 2.0 for Android, but the application performance may not be optimal. | None available |
The release build numbers for this release is 2.0.0.45, if you download it from the Android Market, 2.0.0.43 in case downloaded from Getjar.
Hi Devs,
Thanks for a great app, so useful. Really grateful for that. New update looks good and I can see some improvements already. Cheers.
One thing though, Sign in automatically does not work. Each time I sign out, I have to re enter my password. Any ideas what I can do to fix this?
Kind regards,
K
Please add Motorola Xoom and other Honeycomb devices as soon as you can. And please, please, please add support for Bluetooth headsets for Android tablets too. Thanks.
Why isn’t video calling supported on Samsung Galaxy S with 2.3.4 when it’s supported on Nexus S? They are almost identical devices?
On the Motorola Atrix the app works, but the status icon starts rolling around after a while saying “reconnecting”, although the connection is fine. Very annoying!
@stewartrogers-ioutput
It works on Xoom, but, I didn’t get it on the android market, but no video calls yet.
The landscape mode is 100% better on Xoom…
when the video call will be available for Galaxy S2 ??
what have you removed the option to change the incoming call ring tone?and it would be nice if i could answer a skype call with my headset
Hi Devs,
Thanks for the exciting release but I am afraid the Nexus S is not fully supported. I am using the white Nexus S that supports AT&T Wireless’ AWS spectrum (model i9020a) running the official Google Android release 2.3.4. Video calling is not available on this device. It was a pretty big let down. When can we expect video support for all Nexus S devices?
With the last update, Skype doesn’t detect my phone microphone. Nobody can listen me.
Why no push notifications? With Windows Mobile 6.5 support being pulled quite a while ago, I would have expected more features going into the Android and iPhone clients. And let’s not talk about the monstrosity that is the Linux client.
The microphone on my X8 doesn’t seem to work. Tested with Echo123 as well, the same result. It used to work well with older versions. Please fix this problem asap so that I can talk, not just “chat”!!
It seems this update broke the dial-pad notes while in a call. Though I hear the DTMF sounds in my headset, the remote end (conference call, voice mail, etc) cannot. Please fix this.
Just restored the 1.x version on my Galaxy Tab.
Reasons / Problems with 2.0.0.45 from Market:
- Autologin does not work anymore
- Can’t get rid of the annoying login/logon sound (why does everybody have to hear me starting skype?)
- changing screens with the tabs was much faster than going through the main screen (my personal opionion, but typical: more colour, less functionality – sorry)
I was hoping for the fix of the LG Optimus One (P500) problems. In the last version at least there was a button to turn the back speaker off – but it did not work. But with the new version it is still not possible to switch to the ear piece speaker. Could you please fix this?
Same problem as kaguyasudo:
The microphone on Xperia X8 does not work.
Skype(X8) –> Skype(PC): PC has silence in the speaker
Skype(x8) –> landline: landline has silence in the speaker (Skype out)
Skype(X8) –> Echo123 nothing recorded, “beep — beep” shortly after another
On the same Xperia X8 normal GSM calls and calls from a SIP VoIP client work fine,
so the microphone itself is functioning well.
Skype was working perfectly fine in version 1.x.
Current (faulty) Skype version: 2.0.0.47
Can you please fix this fault?
Thanks!
htc wildfire 2.2: impossible calling! choppy sound. downgrade to 1.0.983
Sound problems exist on Atrix. It worked well prior to the July 1st update.
Microphone does not work on xperia mini pro. Had to uninstall and restore the old version of Skype. Mic seems not to be working on any xperia device according to the forum.
The microphone on my X8 doesn’t seem to work. Tested with Echo123 as well, the same result. It used to work well with older versions. Please fix this problem asap so that I can talk, not just “chat”!!
On HTC inspire 4G Skype is in constant state of reconnecting. Otherwise seems to work fine .
Nexus-S: Works well with far fewer drop-outs. Video seems to work well (others can see me fine) although I haven’t tried it ‘two-way’ yet.
Why has the ability to change the ringtone gone?????
The default ringtone is useless and I’m missing calls!!. PLEASE put the ability to change the ringtone back.
Many thanks for a great app.
On Motorola droid, mic not working with latest upgrade.
Microphone issue also on Samsung Galaxy I15503: The other side is not able to hear me after installing this update. Fix would be very much apreciated…
Xperia X 10 mini pro – Updated by mistake and have lost the skype calling/recieving facility. Auto mute mode gets on….
Terrible
Are u fixing the problem