Skype users rejoice! The long awaited, officially branded Skype iPhone application will be hitting the App Store tomorrow and will be available for free.
Skype, the popular voice over IP (VoIP) service, will allow iPhone and iPod touch second generation users to make calls over a WiFi connection. iPod touch users will be able to utilize the service with an external microphone accessory. The service will not be supported over EDGE or 3G except for the IM chat and checking to see who is online.
The application will allow you to do many of the things the desktop version is able to including placing and receiving calls, use of your address book, conference call participation, and IM chat to name a few. Conference calls will only be joinable, there is currently no way to start or invite others to a conference call. A few features that are missing in Skype's first iPhone application attempt include file transfer, the ability to check voicemail, and the ability to field a second incoming call. We can only assume they will eventually be worked in through updates.
Call quality should be better than other application offerings that utilize the service like Fring, because those applications are required to channel calls through a separate server.
Skype's application will only get better over time, so we will take what we can get for now. This is an especially intriguing application for iPod touch second generation users. Are any of you going to take the plunge and purchase a microphone just to use Skype?
[via cnet]
