The long-awaited Skype app for Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPad, which piqued curiosity when it was launched and pulled back within hours on Monday, is back again... and it appears this time it's here to stay.
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Skype for iPad allows users to broadcast video using the front or back camera. |
After teasing users with promises of an imminent release as long ago as June, Skype posted the app in the App Store yesterday but took it down in the evening citing an accidental release. It was back up today and should stay put. You can get it here.
The company said the new app gives users the ability to broadcast via either the front or back camera, so you can show your call-mates what you're seeing, or just keep it face-to-face-and switch back and forth at will. You can also view their broadcast in either portrait mode or landscape view.
In addition to two-way video calling users also can instant message during a conversation--and even include those annoying emoticons--or SMS any of their contacts.
Skype video quality on the iPad checks in at up to 720p at 3fps, much better than Facetime's 240 resolution at 10 fps, which should make it the next best thing to being there for users... and it's free. That, and the fact that Facetime users can only connect to other iOS devices; Skype will connect to Windows devices as well.
The app fits the iPad; as Skype said on its blog: "It offers the best of both worlds for users who want a larger Skype experience, on-the-go. The large iPad screen is perfect for bringing Skype video calls to life, in either landscape or portrait view, and because it is on the iPad, Skype video calls can be made at the beach, in a car or even lying on a couch."
For more:
- see this blog post
- check out a video of the new app here
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