By Skype quickly brought its Android app up to speed with a modern UI when Ice Cream Sandwich was released, but the app hasn’t been optimized for the bigger screens… until today. Skype 3.0 for Android introduces a tablet user interface for those of us who prefer to do our voicing, videoing, and chatting on a bigger device.
The scaled phone user interface worked quite fine for most, but there’s nothing like an app that makes proper use of all the screen real estate afforded by tablets. In traditional Skype fashion the UI is a cross breed between Android’s Holo UI and Skype’s own bluish style, and both come together to create a great looking and feeling experience.
Other changes include the ability to sign in with a Microsoft account. Since the tech giant now owns the IP communications company we expected some form of Microsoft integration to come along at some point. There’s also improved audio and a host of bug fixes that Skype unsurprisingly chose not to go into much detail about.
Go ahead and give it a shot on your tablet by downloading it from the Google Play Store. Skype has come a long way since the first version of its Android app was released and we’re happy to see its development team taking all facets of Android as serious as any developer should. Be sure to watch a quick video demo below.
No portrait mode!
This sucks for those of us on a Nexus 7.
Also for those of us on a Galaxy Tab 2.0 7″.
Stupid Landscape mode is useless when your front camera is on the higher border of the portrait position.
Also, I find it awkward to use it in Landscape mode… damn give us the option to choose.
About time!
I prefer having my chats not being snooped on by rogue agencies. So no thanks, Skype!
That’s hilarious!
We use it for a voice link while gaming.
Oh the out of context things they get to hear!
Do not update unless you prefer Landscape mode only. It’s pain in the rear to use on Nexus 7! Major fail MSN
Sucks on any 7″ tablet with front camera on the higher side of portrait position (here Galaxy Tab 2.0 7″).
Dumb Skype.
Just use tango.