Following recent moves to extend Skype conversations to a wide variety of new mobile and wireless devices, Skype is taking another major step as it continues to merge its Internet communications software with mobile phones. The company has released a beta version of Skype for your mobile, a mobile thin client that works on around 50 of the most popular Java-enabled mobile phones from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.
The beta version of Skype for your mobile is available worldwide with a feature set that includes chat, group chat, presence (seeing when your contacts are online), and receiving Skype and SkypeIn calls. Additional features, which include the making of Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls from the mobile handsets, are initially supported in eight markets: the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Poland, Sweden, and Brazil (Rio de Janeiro).
These are still the early days for making Skype calls on mobile phones, but weve already made great strides in this space, says Gareth OLoughlin, General Manager, Mobile and Hardware Devices. Among other things, we have a great relationship with 3, the mobile operator, which has brought the mobile Skype experience to eight markets through the 3 Skypephone and a range of other packages and phones. Skype for your mobile will expand the available options even further.
OLoughlin adds that while Skype for your mobile is in beta, it will be an important time for the company to listen to its users feedback, through surveys and user forums. We need to hear what delights them and where there is still work to be done, he says. But this product underscores our commitment to innovation and to putting Skype conversations in the pockets of todays mobile masses.
With the launch of the beta version, Skype for your mobile enters a public testing phase that will help Skype gauge the response of technology-savvy users, whose feedback will help tweak the offering. This phase is expected to last several months, after which a public version of the application will be made available to millions of mobile phone owners around the world.
Skype points out that then you call Skype-to-Skype or SkypeOut from your mobile, you are using mobile voice and data networks for which your mobile operator charges you for data usage and local mobile calling minutes. The mobile data network is used to sign onto Skype and to download your contacts, update presence and send/receive instant messages, so the longer you stay signed on, the more Skype contacts you have or the more you chat with another Skype user, the more you will use your mobile data plan. To keep the application lightweight, Skype for your mobile works over standard mobile voice networks connections for the first and/or last legs of Skype, SkypeOut and SkypeIn calls, and over the Internet for the rest.
There are two ways to get the beta version of Skype for your mobile: as a direct over-the-air download to a compatible mobile phone, or by downloading to a PC and then  transferring the phone. For instructions, please click here. This web page also includes a directory of currently supported mobile phones and the list of markets where the full feature set is available. Additional phones and markets will be added over time.
Users in 3 territories can already get free end-to-end Skype calling and chat on the 3 Skypephone and end-to-end Skype calling at no extra cost on all compatible contract phones from 3, as part of their subscription. For more information about the 3 Skypephone here.