Last week, Fring’s activation of mobile-data video calling on the iPhone annoyed Skype so much that the firm decided to remove itself from the service altogether.
But while Fring and Skype currently scrap with each other and air their dirty laundry in public, we’ve compiled a list of the five top mobile apps that will let you use your Skype account on your mobile device. Because silly VoIP wars and in-fighting really shouldn’t have to affect you, the users.
With that in mind, here’s our list to keep you Skyped up on your mobile, come what may:
Skype
Not wishing to state the obvious, but Skype Mobile is the original Skype app for S60, iPhone and Android devices. It supports free chat, and Skype-to-Skype voice calls on both wifi and 3G. Of course it also makes quick work of your Skype Out credits and not all carriers in the US support Skype without burning through your voice minutes, with Verizon being the notable exception.
Another downside is that the iPhone version of the Skype app still doesn’t have push notifications and the current app doesn’t take advantage of iOS4’s multi-tasking feature.
Nimbuzz
The Nimbuzz client supports IM and VoIP services like Skype, Windows Live Messenger (MSN), Yahoo IM, ICQ, AIM, GoogleTalk, Facebook, MySpace and more. It also features location sharing, file transfer, Twitter client and group, for all you social butterflies out there.
Feeling less mobile? Not to worry, Nimbuzz has a web and PC/Mac clients too, as well as its own VoIP service.
iSkoot
iSkoot products are mainly bundled and offered by operators across the globe, but iSkoot for Skype is available to all. The service supports a wide range of devices and various OSes like S60, BlackBerry, WinMo and more.
As well as being able to chat and make free or Skype Out calls on iSkoot, the service also lets you add/remove or update your status.
Truphone
Likewise, Truphone’s application – which runs on iOS 4 and Android – also support a wide range of instant messaging including Facebook, Skype, Google Talk, AIM, MSN and Yahoo. Free voice calls are permitted through Truphone (the firm’s own VoIP offering), Skype and Google Talk via wifi and 3G.
IM+
IM+ is a cross platform application that supports all of the big IM services including MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, AIM, Jabber, ICQ, Facebook, MySpace, Skype, and Twitter.
Rather than performing chat and voice call over wifi and 3G, IM+ can be used for file transfers, group chats, status and geo-location updates.
Of course, you don’t necessarily have to use Skype as your VoIP one stop shop. There are a plethora of other neat services out there that allow you to make long or short distance VoIP calls, directly from your mobile. Just take a look at JAJAH for instance.
Skype out, er, Peace out!
