Skype For iPad – Calls, Video Chat, Instant Messaging & Web SMS
The much awaited iPad variant of the official Skype client for iOS appeared in the iTunes App Store early yesterday morning but was pulled from the store shortly afterwards for reasons unknown. Well, the app has now returned to the App Store and this time, apparently, it is here to stay. Skype for iPad is essentially a tablet-optimized version of its iPhone counterpart. Making excellent use of the iPad’s greater screen real-estate, the app brings the option to chat from within ongoing video calls, quick switching between multiple conversations and an interface that makes the whole Skype experience faster and much more convenient.
The screenshot above shows the aforementioned chat-in-video feature in action. With just a tap, you can send text messages from within a bubble / pop-up to compensate for the rare instance where audio or video begins to break / freeze.
The app, like so many others designed for the iPad, is best used in landscape orientation, wherein the app displays an expanded sidebar, making ir easier to identify and switch between recent / ongoing conversations and calls.
Employing a sidebar containing shortcuts to Contacts, History and Recent conversations, pop-ups and bubbles, the tablet-optimized interface lets you access almost every option available without letting you lose sight of the app’s home screen.
All-in-all, we’d say the client has proved itself to have been worth the wait. It adds greater speed, convenience and style to the service, perhaps even more so than the desktop client. Grab it now for free from the iTunes App Store (link provided below).
