Skype for iPad is Back, This Time is for Keeps!
With IT anything is possible, even beating Britney Spears’ record of getting married and divorcing within 24 hours. This is what happened to Skype today. The only difference is that they immediately rekindled romance with iPad. The world just saw how fickle Skype for iPad can be as it was launched, pulled out and re-launched in a snap. Officially, Skype is now available in Apple’s App Store once again.
What happened between the three events all summed up in a tweet from Skype’s official Twitter account that says: “To ensure your best Skype experience, we’ve temporarily removed Skype for iPad which went live prematurely today.”
The excited public was kept waiting for hours, disappointed as they pondered as to what had caused the sudden withdrawal of the Skype app. And now that its’ back for good, here are a number of features that Skype for iPad boasts: two-way video calling for iPad 2 over Wi-Fi or 3G, wider screen for video chats (as opposed to iPhone), easy integration, video quality similar to Facetime, calls enabled to Android and Windows devices, a stacked contact browser that resembles built-in Photos app in iPad that will allow you to tap display contact images and initiate a voice or video call, Skype directory and an iPhone-like feature that runs in the background for you to never miss a call.
After being acquired by Microsoft, Skype has been hyperactive in improving and expanding its services, though they claim it’s purely coincidental. Skype’s been launching all sorts of access points lately, having recently landed on Facebook as the social networking site integrated video chat features powered by Skype. The VoIP giant hopes to exploit the 750 million Facebook members to its benefit, extending its own massive reach even further.
The one question hanging right now is how these two titans will be able to tackle crucial security issues with their partnership. Taking about challenges, Skype’s fierce competitor, Vonage is keen in offering Extensions—a feature that will allow users to call using their second device, like mobile phones.
Skype joining the iPad clan is believed to be a move that brings Microsoft that much closer to Apple. And strengthening their mobile presence is an important goal for Microsoft, as it’s a space where they’ve lost ground in the past few years. Now, people may see what transpired today as giving candy to a kid and taking it back. But, Skype is now giving back the candy. And it tastes gooooood.
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