Skype, the world's most successful provider of VoIP services, has launched today the Skype Voicemail service, which has been undergoing tests since April this year.

For $19 per year or $7 for three months, the customers will be able to receive vocal messages from whoever is calling them and to send an unlimited number of voicemails towards the other Skype users. This service is also included in the SkypeIn, but Voicemail has some improvements and extra-options, as for example the possibility of sending prerecorded vocal greetings towards any Skype user, whether or not the recipient has a Voicemail subscription.

"As we continue to enhance the Skype offering, we expand Skype's benefits to users and deliver more potential in modern communication and collaboration. We're pleased to offer Skype Voicemail as an affordable premium enhancement to the more than 41 million Skype users around the world" said Skype CEO Niklas Zennström.

Skype has also launched the Skype for Windows Version 1.3, which extends the program's compatibility with other applications. The new version will allow the user to import contacts from other programs' contact lists, including MSN and Outlook.

Moreover, the Swedish company has been working on its own video chat client (right now the service is available by means of a Dialcom plug-in). Skype has also announced that it is developing a Skype client for Symbian, as well as for other mobile operating systems, as for example Linux and Windows Mobile, without giving any details on their launch date though.