Enables free Skype-to-Skype calls on Symbian ^1 devices

Mar 3, 2010 11:26 GMT  ·  By

Skype and Nokia officially announced today the launch of Skype for Symbian in the Ovi Store, the Skype client for Nokia smartphones that run under the Symbian operating system. The application offers Nokia smartphone users the possibility to use Skype while on the move, both over Wi-Fi networks or mobile data connections (GPRS, EDGE, 3G), and can be downloaded for free from the Ovi Store.

While using Skype for Symbian, Nokia smartphone owners will be able to: - Make free Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world - Save money on calls and texts (SMS) to phones abroad - Send and receive instant messages to and from individuals or groups - Share pictures, videos and other files - Receive calls to their existing online number - See when Skype contacts are online and available to call or IM - Easily import names and numbers from the phone's address book

All Nokia handsets powered by Symbian ^1 are compatible with the application, and Skype says that it also plans on introducing a client for Symbian mobile phones delivered to the market by other handset vendors, including Sony Ericsson. The inclusion of Skype for Symbian in the Ovi Store enables more than 200 million users to download the application on their handsets, something that is expected to increase the usage of the application.

“With Skype for Nokia smartphones, more than 200 million smartphone users worldwide will be able to take the Skype features they love with them on the move. Alongside Skype's relationships with operators and handset manufacturers worldwide, making Skype available direct to consumers will help millions of users keep in contact with the people that are important to them without worrying about the cost, distance or whether they are away from a computer,” Russ Shaw, general manager, Mobile at Skype stated.

The Skype for Symbian application can be enjoyed on a wide range of touchscreen-enabled Nokia smartphones, including Nokia N97, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia X6, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and Nokia 5530 and the following non-touch devices: Nokia E72, Nokia E71, Nokia E90, Nokia E63, Nokia E66, Nokia E51, Nokia N96, Nokia N95, Nokia N95 8Gb, Nokia N85, Nokia N82, Nokia N81, Nokia N81 8 Gb, Nokia N79, Nokia N78, Nokia 6220 classic, Nokia 6210 Navigator, Nokia 5320.

“Symbian enables us to bring smartphones to more and more people and ensures scale for our solutions and compelling services, such as Skype. We're seeing around 1.5 million downloads a day on Ovi Store now and believe that the Skype client for Nokia smartphones will have wide appeal to Symbian users,” said Jo Harlow, senior vice president for Smartphones, Nokia.