Skype working on 3G iPhone App; Release “soon”
While it shouldn’t come as any big surprise, Skype has confirmed that is indeed working on a new version of its iPhone app which will allow calls over 3G.
With the release last week of the Apple iPad SDK (software development kit), there was a major change in what applications were allowed to do. Previously developers had been forbidden from placing VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls over the 3G network, but that rule was removed last week. So the big question that everyone immediately asked was, “When is Skype going to let us do that?”
A few other VoIP apps have already rolled out the feature, but there was no word coming from Skype until today. In an update to the Skype blog, the company has confirmed that they are indeed working on it, but it wasn’t something that should just be rushed out because it is now allowed to. Currently the iPhone team is working on making sure the signal quality indicator works, just like the one used for Wi-Fi, so that you will always know how strong your signal is before placing or during a call.
Secondly they are focusing heavily on the sound quality. They are attempting to enable wideband audio so that you will have better clarity and fidelity. According to the team, they are trying to push the audio to near CD quality for the clearest calls possible.
As for a release date for this updated app, the company is currently only saying “soon,” and nothing more. For all we know that could mean next week or next month, but either way, the ability to make Skype calls anytime, anywhere seems worth the wait to us.
