TechMiso

Although Steve Jobs showcased Skype for the iPhone back in March, apparently it was not entirely iOS 4 compatible. A version of the application taking advantage of iOS 4 features, such as multitasking support, will be ready soon.

With every update to the iPhone OS (now called iOS), Apple introduces a number of changes to the software. In order to make sure we give you the best experience possible, we need to carry out some additional tests with the final version of iOS 4.

When we’re confident that the app will live up to your high expectations, we’ll make it available for download.

It will be very interesting to see how Skype ends up utilizing the available iOS 4 multitasking APIs. It would certainly be worthwhile to be able to leave Skype running in the background, allowing the application to respond to incoming calls when applicable. Such a feature may ultimately make the iPod Touch a much more attractive device because it ultimately function like a WiFi based VoIP phone.

According to Mel Martin of TUAW:

According to the fine print on the Skype iPhone app, free Skype to Skype calls will last all the way until the end of 2010. Yesterday, the date was given as the end of August, but it looks like we’ve all gotten an extension on Skype-to-Skype calling over 3G.

It would appear the outcrying from users has worked to some extent, insofar as the institution of charging has been delayed by about six months. No explanation was offered, but it is not unreasonable to assume this was in response to the many complaints.

I still have to question the need for instituting charges for Skype-to-Skype calls via the 3G network. While Skype does need to make money, every other Skype-to-Skype call is free. Why penalize iPhone users unless the idea is to capitalize on the perception that iPhone users have no problem spending cash?