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Re-activateVoice-over-Internet company Skype is expected later today to make available an application to allow its service to be used on iPhones. The app adds to Apple's smartphone a calling option that's been available for some time for phones that use the Windows Mobile and Google Android operating systems. A Skype app for Blackberry devices is expected in May.
Early reviews of the app—from blogs on USA Today and CNet, among others—have been generally positive, while pointing out that the iPhone Skype doesn't offer everything that the service offers when used on computers.
The takeaway: Don't start spending the money you hope to save by dropping your iPhone voice plan after you get Skype on the device. The new app will be usable only from Wi-Fi hotspots, not on the AT&T data network—where it might allow you to skip running up minutes on your voice plan.
Also, where video-calling is the killer app for Skype on a computer, the iPhone service will not allow you to make video calls. And Skype's mobile version doesn't allow you to phone anyone and everyone; recipients must also be running Skype to receive calls.
[UPDATE April 1, 2009: As two of our blog readers have pointed out, one can use the Skype app for the iPhone to call other phones by using the for-pay SkypeOut feature. —Ed.]
Despite those drawbacks, the app could be a real cost-saver if you often use your iPhone for international calls, since those aren't included in the standard minutes of voice plans. Also, the app will allow owners of the iPod Touch—an iPhone without the phone, essentially—to use the Skype app provided they buy a microphone for their device.
For more on the iPhone, see our Ratings of smartphones (available to subscribers) and the smartphones coverage in our blog. We've also prepared this overview of home phone technologies, including voice-over-Internet calling.
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