Skype launches on Android platform and more than 100 Java-enabled mobile phones.(SERVICES)

Skype announced the release of a lite version of Skype, a "thin" client for Skype that can be downloaded on Android-powered devices, as well as more than 100 other Java-enabled mobile phones.

This launch builds on successful public testing last year and the incorporation of user feedback to an earlier beta version, which was only available on a limited number of mobile devices.

The updated beta now makes Skype software broadly available to millions of mobile users worldwide, including for the first time mobile users in the U.S. The lite version delivers core Skype capabilities, including the following:

- Make Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world;

- Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups;

- Make Skype calls at low rates to people on landline or mobile phones;

- Receive calls to your online personal phone number on Skype;

- See when your Skype contacts are online/available to chat.

Skype users can save money on calls to landlines and mobiles abroad and stay connected with friends and family over Skype while on the go. The lite version of Skype works wherever your mobile phone works, without requiring a Wi-Fi connection. The lite version of Skype uses local air time and a mobile Internet connection in order to sign in to Skype, update your contact list, update presence, and send/receive calls or messages, so you must have both a calling plan and a data plan on your mobile phone to use it.

"Making the Skype experience available for download to Android-powered devices, as well as hundreds of other mobile phones from the world's leading handset manufacturers is a major step forward for Skype," said Scott Durchslag, COO of Skype. "Nearly half the world's population are mobile phone users today and we know that many people who already use Skype want the option to use Skype on their mobile phones. We are committed to working towards our goal of getting Skype into the pockets of the mobile masses."

The lite version of Skype is currently available for Android devices, which include the T-Mobile G1, the first Android-powered mobile phone currently available in the United States and the United Kingdom.

It is expected to also work on other future Android devices. Android device users can download this beta version of Skype by visiting Android Market.

It also works on more than 100 of the most popular Java-enabled phones from the world's top five handset manufacturers--LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson. For instructions on downloading the lite version of Skype to LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson phones, users can visit www.skype.com/m using the mobile browser on their phone or www.skype.com/go/mobiledownload from a computer. The Web page includes a directory of the mobile phones currently supported.

The lite version of Skype is available globally, with the ability to make Skype-to-Skype calls and low cost calls to landlines and mobiles abroad currently available in ten countries: the United States, United Kingdom, Poland, Brazil (Rio and Sao Paolo), Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Australia, and New Zealand.

You will be charged by your mobile operator for local air time and data usage based on the type of calling service and data plan you have purchased. Since the lite version of Skype uses a mobile data connection to sign in to Skype, update your contact list, update presence and send/receive messages, you will be charged by your mobile operator for data usage.

You will not incur charges from Skype when you make Skype-to-Skype calls or send instant messages to friends on Skype; however national calling rates may apply from your mobile operator due to the use of local air time. Skype will charge its regular very low Skype rates when you call landlines and mobiles using Skype or when you receive calls on your mobile handset from other Skype users or people calling your personal online number. We highly recommend getting an unlimited data plan for use with the lite version of Skype. The longer you remain signed in, the more Skype contacts you have, or the more you send and receive instant messages, the more data you will use.