Skype Reaches iPhone and iPod Touch at CTIA

CTIA 2009 opens today and Skype didn't disappoint those of us who expected them to release their much anticipated iPhone application for iPhone. It's now available without charge from Apple's iPhone App Store.

We jumped on the download and put it on iPhones as well as an iPod Touch to see how it would work. The touch, of course, doesn't have an integrated microphone but if you pair it with an accessory mic or headphones with mic, and have a Wi-Fi connection, you've effectively turned your iPod Touch into a telephone with the Skype application.

The application worked perfectly as we made calls to and from the iPhones and the Touch. Connections were quick and voice quality was as good as any we've heard on a mobile device and there was no audible difference between iPhone and iPod Touch calls. Calls to or from the mobile devices and computers work just as they do with computer to computer calls on Skype...though video calling isn't an option...yet.

The mobile interface isn't very different than it is on a computer and really couldn't be any easier to use. That was actually probably the most amazing part of using the application. It's totally intuitive and works just as you'd expect. The app allows for listing contacts alphabetically or by contacts who are currently online. When placing a call you'll see a button that links to your iPhone address book and call history can be toggled to show just missed calls or all calls. You can even update your profile, including adding a photo, update your status and buy Skype credits.

Like other ways of using Skype, calling phones of non-Skype users requires using SkypeOut credits. The credits begin at 2.1 cents per minute so can be a lot cheaper than many other ways of calling. Keep up with the latest tech news and information from CTIA with our TopTenREVIEWS blog and these other blog posts:

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