Last night, Skype began rolling out the iPad enabled version of their app across multiple countries. Shortly after the app was available in New Zealand and Europe, it became available in the United States. Around a hour later it was finally available in the United States, but it got removed because it was “released pre-maturely.” Anyhow, it is now officially available all across the world to all users – we have our hands on it and have been using it since launch. Read on as we give you an in-depth review of the app.
From the beginning, you are prompted to log in with your Skype username just like on the iPhone app we all know and love. After you login, it automatically opens to all of your Skype friends.
You can there move into your category view, which consists of Friends, Family, and Co-Workers, organized like the way your photos are on your iPad.
When you want to call a friend, all you have to do is tap on their avatar and then a window opens up with the summary of their information like Gender, Birth Date, Website, Country, ect.
To call your friend if your on an iPad 1 your only option is to make an audio call, but if your on an iPad 2, you can make video and audio calls.
Next you may be wondering what happens if someone calls you on your iPad while the app is closed, well you get a very nice notification that pops up prompting you to either answer or decline the call. I predict that the notification will be even more implemented once iOS 5 is released.
You also have the ability to chat to other users while on a call. A you have to do is tap on the chat bubble on the bottom left of the screen.
Calls can also be backgrounded just like phone calls on AT&T, you can browse the web and still be on a video/audio call.
You can also search the Skype directory to find family and friends to call if you know their screen name.
You can download Skype for iPad here.
I am still finding out more features and will update this post as I find more.