Information Madness

The company whose name became identical with Internet calling in the mid-2000s said its updated Android app would initially support video calling on selected HTC and Sony Ericsson  Phones, with more to follow soon.

With the new version of Skype, users will now be able to make and receive free 1-to-1 video calls over Skype between their Android phone and other Skype contacts on the iPhone, Mac, Windows PCs and even TVs. Skype used for Android with video works over Wi-Fi or 3G data connections can be successfully downloaded at free of cost from Android Market or Skype.com/m

Skype's product and marketing chief Neil Stevens said in a statement, "We are committed to bringing Skype video calling to as many platforms as possible,"
The move will help makers of phones based on Google's Android software compete with Apple's Face Time video-calling service launched last year for the iPhone and now available on its iPad 2 tablet and Mac computers.

Users can not only make video calls, but also can make calls to landlines and mobiles around the world, as well as send SMS's to friends and family in any corner of the world at great Skype rates. All this comes with a complete redesign of the Skype for Android user interface. Skype has updated new main menu app for Android users where they can navigate easily through their contacts. Also they can access their Skype profile to change personal details or see the balance of their Skype Credit. Finally, there’s a new mood message box at the top of the Skype app menu that makes it easier than ever for users to share how they are feeling, what they've seen, or what they're up to.
Video calling could also help new Skype owner Microsoft promote its Windows Phone smartphone platform, which it is merging with Nokia's  to become competitive with Android and Apple.

Skype had a near about 145 million connected users per month in the fourth quarter of 2010. Together, they made 207 billion minutes of calls in 2010, about 42 percent of which was video calls.

According to UK-based telecoms research firm Point Topic, mobile video calling is in its childhood, but the fixed-line Internet calling market grew 12.6 percent to id="mce_marker"7.3 billion last year.

HTC Desire 5, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S these are the first Android handsets to support Skype video calling.