Skype on Tuesday unveiled an Android version of its VoIP service that will run on phones running Android 2.1 or higher.
Skype for Android will work over Wi-Fi or a mobile data connection, though in the U.S., users can only make calls over Wi-Fi. The app is available now free in the Android Market or at skype.com/m.
Skype has been available on Verizon Android phones since earlier this year when Verizon announced that it would offer Skype on nine of its smartphones. Verizon, however, uses a 3G, circuit-switched gateway to make its calls. Tuesday's announcement is for a new version that makes true VoIP calls only over Wi-Fi and doesn't require users to have Verizon.
The app will allow users to make free Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users worldwide. Users can also make calls to landlines or mobile phones for a fee, based on the country called. Skype for Android also supports text messaging and contact synchronization between Skype and the phone's native address book. The app will display when Skype contacts are online and available to chat or call.
Those who already use Skype on the computer will see their full contact list when they sign into Skype on an Android phone.
"The Skype experience is ubiquitous today. More and more people are using Skype to do things together when apart. With the addition of Android, we are pleased that Skype is now available on three of the most popular mobile platforms today: Android, iOS and Symbian," Mark Douglas, product manager of Android, said in a statement.
Skype said it tested Skype for Android on HTC devices with Android OS 2.1 and above. "It may work on other Android phones, but we can't guarantee full functionality or compatability," Skype said in a blog post. The company said it is aware of some problems with the Samsung Galaxy S, which it is "looking to address" in future.
Skype is not available in the Android Market in China or Japan, Skype said.
The news comes the day after Skype named Cisco's Tony Bates as its new CEO. There were also rumors last week that Skype will integrate Facebook functionality into its next release.