14 DAY TRIAL // According to the latest news on the Web, Skype is expected to announce the release of new versions for its software applications at the Mobile World Congress next month in Barcelona. It seems that the eBay-owned company recently stated that it would launch “new versions of Skype for various operating systems used in the mobile space.”
In addition to the fresh software releases, the company is also reported to plan announcing new “partnerships with major handset and mobile technology vendors.” Skype should make the announcements in the opening day of the mobile show, on February 16.
The company did not unveil any specific details on the new software releases, yet voices over the web suggest that we might see dedicated applications for handsets like the Apple's iPhone device, as well as apps coming for RIM's BlackBerry smartphones via the Application Store. Moreover, even software running on the Palm's new webOS operating system could surface at the show.
As many of you already know, at MWC in Barcelona, Microsoft is expected to release its new operating system, Windows Mobile 6.5; it is also possible that Skype would come up with a new version of its software for this platform as well.
The company was reported earlier this month to plan launching a lite version of Skype that would work on Android-powered phones. At the same time, the app should work with more than 100 other Java-enabled mobile devices.
For what it is worth, the fact that we will see fresh apps and software updates from Skype is good news, as well as is the announced partnerships with “handset and mobile technology vendors” the company plans to unveil at MWC. We'll be waiting for Skype's announcements at the show to provide you with more details on the company's plans, so stay tuned.