Skype announces iPhone and BlackBerry service

Last week we reported that there was talk about Skype offering service for the iPhone as soon as this week. This became reality today when it was announced that indeed, Apple's touchscreen device is going to get Skype service starting Tuesday. The free application will allow iPhone users to make free calls to other Skype users. Calls to traditional phones will carry a charge. With the service, iPhone users will not have to make a separate contacts list as their iPhone address book will be used to obtain phone numbers. The company is still deciding on whether or not to make Skype Video available as the question of video quality has come up. Skype will also work on the later versions of the iPod touch as the model that was produced in September 2008 and later have a microphone which can be used for phone calls. Skype also announced that a version for BlackBerry phones will be made available in May. Currently, the service has 400 million users.

UPDATE
The Skype for iPhone service has started in Japan, but is off to a so-so start. Some users are complaining about receiving error notices referencing the microphone.

source: Reuters, EngadgetMobile