Skype is available on certain mobile phones, including the Android. The Skype for Android app offers the same features as Skype for a computer, including instant messaging, voice chat and video chat. You can install Skype for free on your Android phone, and you can find the app in the Android Market or on Skype's mobile website. You can download the regular Skype onto your computer for free from skype.com.
Skype Setup
Because the Android has a smaller screen than a computer, the display screens for Skype and Skype for Android look different. On the Android, Skype's homepage features four icons: contacts, recent, call phones and profile. Tap one of the icons for a different function and navigate around the app. The recent icon will show you if you have missed a call and display a list of your recent calls. On Skype for a computer, all Skype features are presented on one screen and not separate screens.
Video Chat
Video chat using the Skype Android app is available on select Android phones, whereas video chat is available for all Skype users on a computer with a webcam. To see a list of Android phones that are compatible with video chat, go to the Skype app in the Android Market and click on "What's New."
Skype also offers group video chat, whereas Skype for Android only offers two-person video chat. Starting a video chat on an Android is similar to starting a video chat on Skype online. Touch the "Call Phones" icon on the Skype for Android homepage. Touch the name of a contact you want to call and then touch the button featuring a video recorder to start a video chat. On Skype, click the video recorder button to the right of a contact's name to start a video chat.
Skype Credit
You need Skype credit to call landlines and cell phones from Skype and Skype for Android. Only Skype-Skype calling is free. One difference between Skype and Skype for Android is purchase credit. You can purchase Skype credit on an online Skype account, but you cannot purchase it directly on Skype for Android. To purchase Skype credit to use on Skype for Android, you must purchase the credit on a regular Skype account or by going to Skype's homepage and clicking "Sign In" in the upper right corner. Skype's homepage let's you sign in and manage your account, which includes buying credit. You can buy Skype credit on Skype for a computer by clicking "Add Credit" in the upper left corner of the Skype screen.
SMS Messages
Another difference between Skype and Skype for Android is the ability to send SMS messages. Skype allows users to send SMS messages to cell phones with the use of Skype credit. Skype for Android does not allow users to send SMS messages. Skype for Android only allows users to send instant messages to other Skype users. If a Skype user is also using Skype Mobile, sending instant messages from Skype mobile to Skype mobile is similar to sending SMS messages.
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