Skype Puts VoIP on PDAs

Internet telephony provider Skype Technologies has released a final
version of its peer-to-peer VoIP software for Wi-Fi enabled Pocket PC devices.

Skype for Pocket PC Version 1.0 is styled as a stripped down version
of the Skype desktop service, which allows users to make free phone calls
to other Skype users or purchase minutes to call offline phone numbers.

Skype said the PDA version, which had been in beta for several
months, works on any PDA running Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 for
Pocket PC software with a 400 MHz XScale processor and equipped with
Wi-Fi .

Skype CEO Niklas Zennstrom said the move adds “greater platform and
portability options” for users of VoIP services. Skype is currently
available for Windows 2000, Windows XP, Pocket PC, Linux and Mac OS.

Skype launched exactly a year ago, offering a P2P spin on net
telephony service. It blended
instant messaging features with a simplified presence-based phone
service via the Internet.

Earlier this year, the company expanded the service with the launch
of SkypeOut, which allows calls from computers to regular landline or
mobile telephone numbers. SkypeOut lets users purchase credits that
are applied to per-minute calling at rates that are typically lower than those for traditional phone service.