Skype to Bring Video Call Support for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad

Skype is going to be announcing new video calling products on January 6, 2011 during the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) event. Only those that have received invite will be able to attend.

Unfortunately for Skype, someone ruined part of their announcements by finding a webpage on Skype which details some products that will get video calling. If you went to this link earlier (now down) you would of seen the following:

To make video calls with your contacts, you will need an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, 3rd generation iPod touch, 4th generation iPod touch or an iPad. Your contacts will only be able to see you if your device has a camera. Make sure your device is running iOS 4.0 or above and that you are using Skype for iPhone 3.0 or above.

The contacts you are calling must be using one of the following Skype clients:

• Skype for Windows version 4.2 and above
• Skype for Mac OS X version 2.8 and above
• Skype for iPhone 3.0 and above

You can make Skype video calls by using a WiFi or 3G connection*. The quality of the video will depend upon the available network conditions.

• Additional data charges may apply. Check with your operator for details.

If you have an iPhone or iPod touch with two cameras – front and rear – you will be able to switch between them during a Skype video call. If you have an iPhone 3GS it will always use the rear camera.

If you turn your device into landscape mode, the camera picture will automatically rotate.

In both portrait and landscape mode double tapping anywhere on your screen will zoom the picture to take up the full extent of the screen. Double tapping again will take the picture back to its normal size.

While on a Skype video call the sound will always be played through the loudspeaker, unless a headset is plugged into the device.

During a video call tap your screen to display the camera and microphone controls. Tap and hold down the microphone button to put the call on hold. To resume the call, simply tap the hold symbol on the screen.

The page has now been pulled down by Skype for obvious reasons, but it’s good to know that they are finally bringing video chat to the iPhone, and iPod touch, and… iPad!!! Skype indirectly confirmed that the iPad is getting a camera. Not sure if this is true or not, but we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, enjoy your holidays everyone.