Skype announced the release of a lite version of Skype™, a
‘thin’ client for Skype that can be downloaded on Android-powered
devices, as well as more than 100 other Java-enabled mobile phones.
This launch builds on successful public testing last year and the
incorporation of user feedback to an earlier beta version which was only
available on a limited number of mobile devices. The updated beta now
makes Skype software broadly available to millions of mobile users
worldwide, including for the first time, mobile users in the U.S. The
lite version delivers core Skype capabilities including:
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Make Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world
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Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups
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Make Skype calls at low rates to people on landline or mobile phones
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Receive calls to your online personal phone number on Skype
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See when your Skype contacts are online/available to chat
By bringing the world’s leading Internet communications software to
mobile phones, Skype users can save money on calls to landlines and
mobiles abroad, and stay connected with friends and family over Skype
while on the go. The lite version of Skype works wherever your mobile
phone works, without requiring a WiFi connection. The lite version of
Skype uses local air time and a mobile internet connection in order to
sign in to Skype, update your contact list, update presence and
send/receive calls or messages, so you must have both a calling plan and
a data plan on your mobile phone to use it.
"Making the Skype experience available for download to Android-powered
devices, as well as hundreds of other mobile phones from the world’s
leading handset manufacturers is a major step forward for Skype,” said
Scott Durchslag, COO of Skype. “Nearly half the world’s population are
mobile phone users today and we know that many people who already use
Skype want the option to use Skype on their mobile phones. We are
committed to working towards our goal of getting Skype into the pockets
of the mobile masses.”
The lite version of Skype is currently available for Android devices,
which today include the T-Mobile G1™, the first Android-powered mobile
phone currently available in the United States and the United Kingdom.
It is expected to also work on other future Android devices. Android
device users can download this beta version of Skype by visiting Android
Market.
It also works on more than 100 of the most popular Java-enabled phones
from the world’s top five handset manufacturers – LG, Motorola, Nokia,
Samsung and Sony Ericsson. For instructions on downloading the lite
version of Skype to LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson
phones, users can visit www.skype.com/m
using the mobile browser on their phone or www.skype.com/go/mobiledownload
from a computer. The web page includes a directory of the mobile phones
currently supported.
The lite version of Skype is available globally, with the ability to
make Skype-to-Skype calls and low cost calls to landlines and mobiles
abroad currently available in ten countries: the United States, United
Kingdom, Poland, Brazil (Rio and Sao Paolo), Sweden, Denmark, Finland,
Estonia, Australia and New Zealand.
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*Costs for using the lite version of Skype:
You will be charged by your mobile operator for local air time
and data usage based on the type of calling service and data plan
you have purchased. Since the lite version of Skype uses a mobile
data connection to sign in to Skype, update your contact list,
update presence and send/receive messages, you will be charged by
your mobile operator for data usage. You will not incur charges
from Skype when you make Skype-to-Skype calls or send instant
messages to friends on Skype; however national calling rates may
apply from your mobile operator due to the use of local air time.
Skype will charge its regular very low Skype rates when you call
landlines and mobiles using Skype or when you receive calls on
your mobile handset from other Skype users or people calling your
personal online number. We highly recommend getting an unlimited
data plan for use with the lite version of Skype. The longer you
remain signed in, the more Skype contacts you have, or the more
you send and receive instant messages, the more data you will use.
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About Skype
Founded in 2003, Skype is revolutionizing the way people communicate
around the world. Skype has more than 370 million registered users
globally who use Skype software to communicate for free through voice
and video calls as well as instant messages. Skype generates revenue
through its premium offerings, such as calls made to and from landlines
and mobiles, voicemail, call forwarding, and SMS. Skype is used in
almost every country on Earth, and people have made more than 100
billion minutes worth of free Skype-to-Skype calls. Conversations over
Skype can take place on computers, mobile devices and Skype Certified™
hardware. Skype certifies and sells hundreds of hardware products from
more than 50 partners, and works with hundreds of third-party developers
who have created plug-ins to extend Skype’s functionality.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). Learn more and download Skype
at www.skype.com.
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a
replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used
for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are
trademarks of Skype Limited.
Java and all Java-based marks are a trademark or registered trademark
of Sun Microsystems, Inc, in the United States and other countries. G1
and T-Mobile G1 are trademarks of T-Mobile USA, Inc.
