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Skype may bring video calling to iPhone
Skype might have unintentionally delivered a Christmas gift to those who have been wanting to see its free video calling service come to the iPhone. The Luxembourg-based company posted, then quickly pulled, an FAQ document over the weekend about just that, offering questions and answers about how to make Skype video calling work on the iPhone (and a Verizon iPhone at that; read related info).
If true, Skype would give Apple's FaceTime video calling program, which works only via Wi-Fi and not AT&T's cellular network, a run for its money (although FaceTime is free, as is Skype). It will do that by making video calling possible by either a cellular connection or by Wi-Fi — although, as Skype noted, "additional data charges may apply. Check with your operator for details."
Skype for iPhone will work for those who have more recent iPhones and iPod Touches or Macs using OS X, as well as for users of Windows PCs that have Skype version 4.2 or later (the most current Windows version of Skype is 5.0).
Hat tip to RedmondPie.com, which captured and posted the Skype FAQ, "How do I make video calls with Skype for iPhone?"
Among the information Skype posted, then pulled:
"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.
"Yes, at any time during a Skype video call you can choose to turn off the video. Tap the Camera button and select the No Camera option. To turn the video back on tap the Camera button again and then tap the camera you want to switch on.
"When your iPhone is processing a lot of video its CPU (Central Processing Unit) has to work very hard and makes the iPhone become warm to the touch. You will experience the same thing if you stream videos through applications like Netflix or YouTube.
"Yes, you will be able to receive screen shares from people using Skype for Windows or Mac OSX. You cannot share what is on the screen of your iPhone with other people and you cannot receive a screen share from another iPhone user.
"No, you will be switched to audio only, as Skype for iPhone does not support group video calling.
"The quality of the video you send and receive from your iPhone will depend upon the quality and bandwidth available on the WiFi or 3G network you are connected to. For best results, make sure you have nothing else running that might use up your bandwidth."
Skype says the video call service will require an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, third- or fourth-generation iPod Touch or an iPad (although iPad Skype service would not be immediately available), use of iOS 4.0 or later and Skype for iPhone 3.0 or higher.
To make video calls with your iPhone 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. Mac users will need Skype for Mac OS X version 2.8 and above.
And no word — it wasn't posted mistakenly like the iPhone doc — when Skype video calling for Android phones is headed users' way.
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