Skype 3.0 gains Wi-Fi, 3G video calling

Skype’s long-awaited video chat has made it to iOS. Here are the features in the new version of the app:

  • Make Skype to Skype video calls on WiFi and 3G*
  • Call Skype desktop users (Mac OS X or Windows) and other iPhone users.
  • Two-way video calls supported on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 4th gen.
  • Receive only video supported on iPad and iPod touch 3rd gen, with no camera.
  • Make video calls in portrait and landscape.

Over 3G,  video chat uses about three and a half MB/minute, similar to what FaceTime uses over 3G on a jailbroken device, according to 9 to 5 Mac.

Unlike Facetime, of course, Skype runs on every platform, including Windows. While I don’t personally use Skype often, I can see how mobile video chat is a great addition to the service.

Stephen Hackett, formerly a Lead Mac Genius at Apple, now spends his days running the IT department of a large non-profit in Memphis, TN. He writes about Apple, design and journalism at forkbombr.net. Like all twenty-somethings, you can find him… Full Bio