Jul 01 2011

Skype Video Calling Comes to (Some) Android Devices

Slowly, but surely, the Skype client on Android is catching up with the one found on the iPhone in terms of functionality. As of today, Skype for Android now supports video calling on a number of devices, including:

  • Google Nexus S,
  • HTC Desire S,
  • Sony Ericsson Xperia neo,
  • Sony Ericcson Xperia pro.

However, there are some startling omissions from the list such as the Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy S II. It’s not the first time Skype has shunned Samsung devices as the first release of the application failed to login correctly on the original Samsung Galaxy S with Eclair installed (Android 2.1) with a notable delay before a working update was released. It really makes me wonder if Skype has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the top shelf Android smartphones available in the market or if this is some sort of deliberate oversight.

Anyway, there have been some bright sparks who have hacked the app to work on the HTC Thunderbolt and HTC EVO 4G as well as a fellow on XDA Developers who has got video calling to work with the Samsung Galaxy S and S II. The basic instructions are to uninstall Skype on your device then install the APK referenced in the post. You do need to be on Gingerbread (Android 2.3) to enable video calling though.

Admittedly, we might be going through a second phase of video calling being a passing fad. As we know, video calling was possible with the advent of 3G mobile phones years ago. However, video calling went largely unused due to the high cost to consumers and the relatively poor quality due to limited bandwidth at the time. Fast forward to 2010 and Apple was touting the FaceTime feature in the iPhone 4 as a revolutionary feature and has been subsequently mocked over the last year.

All of that said, Skype has been very popular on desktops and laptops so things might be changing.

One thing to bear in mind is that you might run into issues updating Skype later on. Obviously, until an update is released it is hard to say if you will be unable to update but the way around that would be to uninstall the hacked version and download the new version from the Android Market (which should hopefully support the Samsung handsets).

Boydo

My name is Boyd and I’m a Service Management Specialist with a knack for operational data gathering, transformation, analysis and reporting.

In 2012, I obtained my Masters of Science in Information Technology through the University of New South Wales @ The Australia Defence Force Academy (UNSW@ADFA).

I was also part of an online community known as the Panasonic Insider Crew in the capacity of “Insider Guru” for Panasonic Australia where I interacted with other tech enthusiasts and find out more about Panasonic's latest gadgets.

I love technology, gadgets, and the Internet and maintain a keen interest in these areas locally, nationally, and globally. I hope by sharing my views on these topics that people will receive an honest point of view from someone with a genuine interest in these topics.

I have also written and edited articles for Neowin - you can check out my articles over @ https://www.neowin.net/news/poster/boyd_chan

I hope you enjoy reading my blog!

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