Skype expands support for Symbian phones

10.12.2010
VOIP (voice over internet protocol) telco Skype has released an update to its Symbian App adding support for extra Nokia mobile phone models.

In an announcement on its blog, Skype says the upgraded App 'Skype for Symbian' now supports the Nokia N8, C7 and E5 models, bringing to 31 the number of Nokia phones supported by the App.

The eBay-owned Skype maintains that the upgrade enables "crystal clear calls in CD-like audio quality, even when users are on a low-bandwidth connection".

According to Skype, the new version of the App "also makes it easier for users to add contacts, navigate, add a profile photo, set one's mood message as well as recommend the application to friends who also use Symbian handsets".

"The update also contains a number of interface improvements, making it easier to add contacts, navigate, add a photo to your profile and set your mood message. Additionally, we've updated the interface to better fit larger screens," said the Skype blog announcement.

"It (the upgrade) includes SILK, our high quality audio codec, which should help make sure your calls are crystal clear, even when you're on a low-bandwidth connection."

Skype maintains that it had 124 million average monthly connected users for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and users placed 95 billion calling minutes over Skype in the first half of 2010, about 40 per cent of which were video. It says the number of its users is growing by the population of Singapore (more than four million) every 12 days and nearly a third of its registered subscribers now use it for business purposes.

Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free.

In October, the Luxembourg-based company launched the new Skype for Windows, which integrated the Facebook News Feed and Phonebook in Skype, including easier voice and video calling, instant messaging, screen sharing, and file sharing.

Tags: Telecommunications