The Big Blog

Skype for iPhone & Skype for iPad Updates Deliver Anti-Shake Technology & Bluetooth Connectivity

Skype for iPhone and Skype for iPad have proven to be very popular. The Skype for iPhone app has been downloaded nearly 60 million times to date and was downloaded over a million times in the first 36 hours after its launch in March 2009. When we launched Skype for iPad in August, it was the #1 free iPad app in almost every local iTunes App Store worldwide during the week of its launch.ⁱ

Today, we hope to make these popular apps even better with the introduction of a couple of new features. The Skype for iPhone update includes a new feature that reduces the shakiness of an outgoing Skype video chat when using your rear camera. So, if you're using Skype video to show friends and family what you're up to or where you are, the image they see will be less shaky.

Additionally, we're excited to announce the delivery of Bluetooth support, a feature that's long been requested by our users. You will now be able to use Bluetooth-enabled headsets to make hands-free Skype calls. This will make life easier while you're on conference calls, on the road, or simply don't want to hold your iPhone or iPad in-hand.

As with our recent Mac update, there will be an advertising platform introduced in this new release. Paying Skype consumers or users with Skype Credit will not see any display ads on their iPhones or iPads. The iPhone update also includes an important security fix.

Skype for iPhone and Skype for iPad can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes App Store. The new Skype for iPad update supports both iPad and iPad 2. The Skype for iPhone update supports the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, 2nd and 3rd Generation iPod Touch, and both iPad and iPad 2.ⁱⁱ

If you have any questions or want to leave feedback, please take advantage of the new Skype Support. We hope you enjoy the updates to both of these popular apps.

[UPDATE: We understand that some of you are experiencing several issues with the new updated version of Skype for iPhone/iPad released today. The problems you might be seeing include 1.) Skype Credit may not be showing 2.) Contacts are slow to sync 3.) Account settings (e.g. photo, name, profile) may not appear. More info on how to fix this can be found here. We apologize for any inconvenience.]

[UPDATE # 2 as of 5:33 PM EST on 9/28/11: We've pushed out a hotfix which addresses the issues found in the most recent Skype for iPhone/iPad apps. Download it now http://bit.ly/3FBaR7 & http://bit.ly/q7DTLZ. For more information on the hotfix please visit http://blogs.skype.com/garage/​ios/]

ⁱ Skype for iPad and Skype for iPhone download numbers sourced via iTunes Connect
ⁱⁱ iOS 4.0 or later is required on all devices.

Skype WiFi - now available on iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch

Skype WiFi (formerly known as Skype Access) is coming to iOS. We've just launched a new iOS application that's free to download from Apple's App store.

With the new Skype WiFi app, you can go online on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (running iOS 4.1 or above with multitasking) at over 1 million WiFi hotspots around the world, including hotels, airports, train stations, convention centres, bars and restaurants. And with Skype Credit you only pay for the minutes you use. So, there's no need to buy an hour or day WiFi voucher if you're only looking to check your email or make a quick Skype call.

Skype WiFi is great for travellers all over the world: It's a must-have app, for your iPhone or iPad whether you're on a business trip or enjoying holidays abroad. Skype WiFi offers you a cost-effective and easy way to get online with an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. Paying on a per-minute basis for WiFi Internet access is great when you're abroad as you can avoid data roaming charges when you update Facebook, send a tweet, make a Skype call or upload photos.

WiFi access prices through Skype start from US$ 0.06/4p/€0,05 (inclusive of VAT) per minute* and you will only be charged for the minutes you are connected. There are no limits on the amount of data you can upload or download.

All you need to enjoy Skype WiFi on your iPhone or iPad is a Skype account and some Skype Credit.**

It's easy to get started with Skype WiFi:

• Go to the App Store and download the Skype WiFi app
• Open the Skype WiFi app for iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad
• Sign in with your Skype account details or visit Skype.com to create a new account
• Tap Go Online and you're online!
• Once you've finished, just tap Disconnect

To celebrate the new Skype WiFi app and to give you a chance to try it out, Skype WiFi will be free around the globe from Saturday 20th August 00:00 till Sunday 21st August 23:59 BST for a maximum of 60 minutes***. To enjoy free wireless access, download Skype WiFi on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch or make sure you have the latest Skype software on your computer. Find yourself a hotspot and connect!

Skype WiFi is made available through WiFi operators around the world. For a complete list of supported hotspots, visit skype.com/go/skypewifi.

*Prices may vary by Wi-Fi operator.

**To sign up for a Skype account or buy Skype Credit, you'll need to visit Skype.com on your computer or via the browser on your iOS device.

***Capped at 4 x 15-min sessions per unique Skype ID.

Skype Now Optimized for your iPad

Since the introduction of Skype for iPhone with video calling on New Year's Eve 2010, we've seen growing demand for a Skype app for the iPad.

The wait is over, as today we launched Skype for iPad now available for download in the iTunes App Store.

Skype for iPad is beautifully designed and optimized for the iPad. It offers the best of both worlds for users who want a larger Skype experience, on-the-go. The large iPad screen is perfect for bringing Skype video calls to life, in either landscape or portrait view, and because it is on the iPad, Skype video calls can be made at the beach, in a car or even lying on a couch.

Not only does Skype for iPad feature an interface that takes advantage of the large screen, but there are a number of additional iPad-optimized features found in this new app, including:

• Two-way video calling.* With Skype video calling available on iPhones, as well as in Skype for Android, Skype for Mac, Skype for Windows, Skype on HDTVs and more - you can connect to over 170 million Skype connected users worldwide**.


• Instant messaging. You can even instant message during a video call on your iPad, with emoticons to personalize your message.


• Simple to view contacts. Contacts are now displayed in a grid on Skype for iPad, showing large avatar photos - making it easy to find your contacts and conversations.


• Easy navigation. Find your recent Skype conversations and history at the touch of a button making searching simple.


• Simple SMS texting. An SMS text message can be sent by simply opening a contact and selecting SEND SMS or by opening the dial pad, typing in the number you wish to SMS and then typing your message.

The new Skype for iPad app also takes full advantage of the iPad 2's dual cameras, allowing users to talk face-to-face with the iPad's front camera or switch to the rear camera to show what they can see. Skype for iPad also allows users to call landlines and mobiles using Skype's great low rates - all a user needs is a little Skype Credit. Skype for iPad works across both 3G*** and Wi-Fi networks and also allows users to make voice and video calls across platforms from their iPad to other Skype users on iPhones, Mac, Windows, HDTVs and more.

* iOS version 4.0 or later required. iPad 1st Generation cannot send video, but can receive video.
**average monthly connected users for the three months ended 30 June 2011.
*** operator data charges may apply

Skype coming to the iPhone on Verizon Wireless + new version adds TV video calling support

For those of you in the US, you will soon be able to use Skype on even more mobile phones. Tomorrow marks the launch of the iPhone on the Verizon Wireless network – the most reliable in the US.

Download Skype to your new iPhone to make great value calls to regular phones, as well as free video calls to other people on Skype.

We’ve also taken a small, but significant step in terms of the technology our iPhone app uses: it now supports H.264. What does this mean in reality? That you can now use it to make video calls to the full range of Skype devices, including TVs from Panasonic and Samsung.

It’s significant because it’s another step towards our goal to bring video to as many devices and platforms as possible. For now, it’ll mean that you can make that video call to your grandmother from wherever you are.

Skype for iPhone now with video calls

It’s as simple as that: our iPhone app now comes with video. Download it now from the App Store, or read on to find out more.

Skype for iPhone lets you make and receive free Skype video calls on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and works over both WiFi and 3G connections*. With approximately 25 million† people signed into Skype at any given time, our new iPhone app makes it easy to share moments with your friends, family and colleagues, wherever you are.

With our new app, you can:

• Make video calls to people on their computers as well as other iPhones (details below)
• Make free audio calls to anyone else on Skype
• Make great value calls to landlines and mobiles around the world

The new app is compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod touch 4th generation with iOS 4.0 or above. You can also receive video calls on the iPod touch 3rd generation and iPad. Calls can be made between devices using the new Skype for iPhone app and desktops including Skype for Windows 4.2 and above, Skype for Mac 2.8 and above, Skype for Linux and the ASUS videophone.

Skype for iPhone is one of the top five free iPhone apps in 2010 according to Apple, and now it’s just got even better.

* Additional data charges may apply. To get the best quality, we recommend a strong WiFi connection for video calling.
† At peak times, as of November 2010.

Skype for iPhone: Update for iOS 4 coming soon

We’ve updated our iPhone app – you can now make video calls.

Update: it’s out

There’s a lot of excitement among the mobile team here at Skype, as both iOS 4 and the iPhone 4 will arrive on our desks this week. And we’ve been hard at work building an update to our iPhone app which will support multitasking in iOS 4.

With every update to the iPhone OS (now called iOS), Apple introduces a number of changes to the software. In order to make sure we give you the best experience possible, we need to carry out some additional tests with the final version of iOS 4.

When we’re confident that the app will live up to your high expectations, we’ll make it available for download. Stay tuned!