Skype Video Calls for the iPhone Coming Soon

Last Updated on December 27, 2010

If we were to believe a document posted on Skype’s help section, Skype video calls for iPhone users is just a matter of time. The document actually walks users through making video calls in Skype on their iPhones so I’m going to bet we will see an announcement shortly.

It also says that the service will be available for users of the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, 3rd generation iPod touch, 4th generation iPod touch or the iPad, running Skype 3.0 or newer. Calls will be made over a 3G or WiFi connection and, if your device has a front and a rear camera, you will be able to switch between the two during the call.

Camera pictures will also rotate when the device is rotated and the image will be zoomed when the screen is tapped in a certain area. The service will probably be officially announced in January, at CES if I were a betting man since Skype has a panel scheduled there. It’s called "Video Calling Gets Ready for Primetime". Can it get more obvious than that? ; )

4 Comments

shockersh
Ya never know if Skype is gonna nuke that document so here it is pulled from their site:
How do I make video calls with Skype for iPhone?
The following questions and answers will help you get started with using Skype video calls on your iPhone.
To make video calls with your contacts, you will need an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, 3rd generation iPod touch, 4th generation iPod touch or an iPad. Your contacts will only be able to see you if your device has a camera. Make sure your device is running iOS 4.0 or above and that you are using Skype for iPhone 3.0 or above.
The contacts you are calling must be using one of the following Skype clients:
Skype for Windows version 4.2 and above
Skype for Mac OS X version 2.8 and above
Skype for iPhone 3.0 and above
You can make Skype video calls by using a WiFi or 3G connection*. The quality of the video will depend upon the available network conditions.
*Additional data charges may apply. Check with your operator for details.
If you have an iPhone or iPod touch with two cameras – front and rear – you will be able to switch between them during a Skype video call. If you have an iPhone 3GS it will always use the rear camera. If you turn your device into landscape mode, the camera picture will automatically rotate. In both portrait and landscape mode double tapping anywhere on your screen will zoom the picture to take up the full extent of the screen. Double tapping again will take the picture back to its normal size. While on a Skype video call the sound will always be played through the loudspeaker, unless a headset is plugged into the device.
During a video call tap your screen to display the camera and microphone controls. Tap and hold down the microphone button to put the call on hold. To resume the call, simply tap the hold symbol on the screen. Yes, at any time during a Skype video call you can choose to turn off the video. Tap the Camera button and select the No Camera option. To turn the video back on tap the Camera button again and then tap the camera you want to switch on. When your iPhone is processing a lot of video its CPU (Central Processing Unit) has to work very hard and makes the iPhone become warm to the touch. You will experience the same thing if you stream videos through applications like Netflix or YouTube. Yes, you will be able to receive screen shares from people using Skype for Windows or Mac OSX. You cannot share what is on the screen of your iPhone with other people and you cannot receive a screen share from another iPhone user. No, you will be switched to audio only, as Skype for iPhone does not support group video calling. The quality of the video you send and receive from your iPhone will depend upon the quality and bandwidth available on the WiFi or 3G network you are connected to. For best results, make sure you have nothing else running that might use up your bandwidth.
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- shockersh
  Oh, and your welcome.
  Reply
Bogdan
It’s still there at the moment. But thanks ;)
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MrGroove
I think it’s just a matter of time before the iPhone and iPad (and other tablets) are fully featured as-good-as standard PC’s. Carriers and software publishers like Skype know this, it’s just taking a little while for everyone to come up to speed. Honestly the only reason it’s taking so long is because the iPhone and iPad just caught everyone off guard…
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