Skype Launches Apple iPhone App

It’s what we’ve all been waiting for … sort of. Tomorrow Skype will launch its iPhone application, allowing all of us to place VoIP calls directly from our iPhones. But there’s one small catch, instead of being able to call from any 3G network, Apple is requiring that all VoIP applications connect only over Wi-Fi networks. Nonetheless, it’s big news for Skype because some have questioned  whether Apple would ever allow the popular VoIP application onto its devices, assuming that it would take minutes out of AT&T’s pocket.  According to CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood, who spoke to Reuters, the app will encourage users to step up from their current phones to the iPhone, in turn resulting in a new data-plan customer for AT&T. The big question is whether the voice quality will be up to par. The application will also work on the iPod touch, providing that you have a headset with a built-in microphone. According to CNET, the application will allow users to chat with friends on their buddy lists as well, a feature that will also work over 3G networks. When users call you, their avatar will display on your iPhone’s screen much like a regular caller would during a non-VoIP call. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to create conference calls from the phone with this version, although that’s a feature we’d expect to see in the future. You also cannot purchase more Skype credits directly from your iPhone, which means if you run out of cash during an international call, you’ll have to wait until you’re near a computer to buy more minutes.  On the bright side, instead of having to deal with multiple contact entries, you’ll be able to dial out to friends using contacts pulled from your iPhone’s phone book. We’ll be at Skype’s press conference tomorrow to check out the application first hand and we’ll report back with impressions. According to Reuters, the application is expected to launch on BlackBerry devices in May.