According to a report by Skattertech, Skype will be bringing video calling to all Android handsets by the end of this year, finally providing an official (video enabled) client for the mobile OS.
The decision to release a video app will also provide direct competition to services like Qik who have struck deals to bring their service to the latest Android smartphones, most notably the HTC Evo.
Until recently, Skype on Android (and Blackberry) was only available if you were a Verizon customer. Whilst Skype’s partnership with Verizon was ground-breaking, its first alliance with a cellular carrier, it meant that owners of either device would have to seek Skype functionality by way of a third-party service like Fring or Nimbuzz.
Skattertech’s Sahas Katta fired a couple of emails to Skype’s PR team regarding Skype’s plans to rival services like Qik and received the following response:
Skype envisions a world where video plays a larger role in the way we communicate. The next generation innovation involving video calling will not be bound to the computer. We’re seeing a proliferation of video calling shared between all kinds of connected devices. It’s on computers (today 1/3 of all calls on Skype happen via video), televisions (Skype bringing video calls to living rooms via Panasonic, Samsung & LG partnership), and it will eventually be coming to mobile devices too. We’re betting big on video, and we intend to set the bar on mobile video calling, and it’s something we’re going to do this year.
We will be bringing a direct to consumer app to the Android marketplace later this year. This application will be available for all consumers globally to download regardless of carriers. (i.e. similar to how we offer the iPhone app today)
– Brianna Reynaud, Skype PR
Everyone loves a bit of competition, especially when it means the big boys get involved. Not only is it going to make Qik want to innovate its product and/or service, you could see Apple watching proceedings very closely. The iPhone 4G is rumoured to have a front facing camera, will they allow Skype (and Qik) to access it?
Big win here for Android, at least if Apple does not open their front facing camera API, or to allow in their market. 2 large, if there is. How to make video calls. Not by a closed proprietary things that Apple will introduce with iChat on iPhone4.
How do you do video conferencing on a smatphone when then camera and screen are opposite side of the device?
The HTC Evo has a front facing camera and is bundled with Qik for video conferencing. Granted most users won’t be able to use the video chat functionality on other Android phones but normal Skype access should be available.
Hey Matt,
I just want to say thanks for crediting our work at Skatter Tech and linking to our piece. I’m glad to see some journalistic integrity. Most publications didn’t even bother mentioning us, linking to us, or crediting us for when using the image we put together.
P.S. I’m totally excited for video calls! And TNW rocks!
Thanks!
Sahas, always a pleasure. Thanks for the tip!
Can they(Skype) just make there app capable of using the rear camera for video calls. In such a way that when You stand in front of any reflective surface, your rear camera turns just as capable as a front facing camera. The caller on the other can be seen on the Phone screen, just like you would on Iphone4′s facetime.
Worst case scenario, it definitely works as one way Video conference, and both ways audio conference.
Hi, I am getting the new Droid 2 Global but also want to know if Skype can allow me to do video calling in front of the mirror. What have you heard?
Tx
hi
Great News on the 5 Way calling App ooVoo App for Android – http://techicloud.blogspot.com/2010/12/video-chat-with-5-people-at-time-on.html
That’s kool. Video chat is going to unite as well as tear families apart. Our inability to lie about our location during regular cellular conversation is narrowing.
http://sunlesstanningsite.org/five-tips-regarding-the-sunless-tanning.html
The fast-growing population of Android users will soon be able to chat face-to-face thanks to a Skype mobile application that will hit the marketplace with video functionality “later this year.”best baby swing
lol Nokia N900 already has Skype Video calling and its been out since 2010. These Iphones and Android phones can’t beat that N900 and they claim they can do anything. N900 has web browsing just like a real computer where android and iphone opens mobile version of websites.
Trust me if your looking for a smartphone to buy that will do anything possibly you can do on PC go for N900 or either try it from amazon.com and if you think its not better then iphone or android return it.
im calling free
this feature is available now get it now… http://www.kaawish.com/2011/07/skype-for-android-gets-video-calling/