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It was inevitable and it's happened: the Skype iPhone app arrives |
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A German software developer, SHAPE Services, has released a new application called “IM+ for Skype” that turns the iPhone into Skype VoIP handset by utilising the default-bundled Apple Safari browser.
The application, that works in any network and does not require WiFi, was specifically designed for use with the distinctive iPhone touchscreen. The service is accessed online at skypeforiphone.com where users log-on to to make free Skype to Skype calls or low cost PSTN calls to mobiles and landlines using SkypeOut credits.
The service is not officially “endorsed or certified by Skype”, but it uses the Skype API and is clearly no problem – at least according to Skype company spokesperson, Chaim Haas, who makes it clear that Skype encourages 3rd party developers.
The “Skype Developer Program (https://developer.skype.com) … provides an … opportunity for third-party developers to access the Skype platform and create new and innovative solutions … This now includes 4,000-plus members of the Skype Developer Program who are developing a broad range of different types of applications for the Skype platform. One way developers can do this is to write Skype Extras, third-party plug-ins that enable users to do more with Skype,” says Haas.
SHAPE's CEO, Igor Berezovsky, says in a company statement (actually rather more of an understatement really) that , "Noticing the public interest for Skype on iPhone, we decided to use our mobile IM and mobile Skype experience and develop an application for them; this has also been a move towards our IM+ for Skype platform coverage.”
IM+ for Skype is also available for BlackBerry RIM, Windows Mobile Pocket PC, Palm OS, Symbian and J2ME devices.
Skype is no stranger to mobiles itself. Last month the company launched “Skype To Go” software as a part of its so-called “Skype Pro” package that supposedly reduces the cost of international mobile long distance voice sharply, e.g. 1.7 Euro cents per minute for UK to Australia with the Skype Pro plan.
“Skype for Windows Mobile, which supports over 120 Pocket PC/Windows Mobile smartphones and PDAs, has been downloaded more than 5 million times", says Mr. Haas.
Germany’s third largest mobile phone network operator E-plus also partnered with Skype in September 2005, thus accepting the inevitability of Skype moving into the mobile world. Billed as a landmark partnership, the two announced that Skype software would be bundled with an E-Plus “flat-rate data subscription” to allow customers to make Skype calls via the E-Plus’ mobile network.
For a limited promotional time, IPhone users can use the IM+ for Skype service for free.
Submitted Date: Aug 16, 2007
Source: TelecomTV
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