The long-awaited Skype app for Apple’s iPad finally found its way to the iTunes App Store on Tuesday, but was swiftly removed by the company which has recently been acquired by Microsoft.
More than a month after its supposed official release date, the Skype iPad app, which features video calling support for the iPad 2, appeared on the App Store. The new Skype app takes advantage of the iPad’s larger screen, enabling crisp and clear video chatting over Wi-Fi and 3G.
However, a short time after the app appeared on the online store, Skype pulled it, saying that the app was released prematurely. “To ensure your best Skype experience, we’ve temporarily removed Skype for iPad which went live prematurely today,” Skype posted on its Twitter feed. “We know you’ve been eagerly awaiting Skype for iPad and apologize for the inconvenience.”
The free Skype iPad app first appeared on New Zealand’s Apple App Store shortly before appearing on other international stores, including the U.S.
Some tech sites managed to download the app before it was temporarily removed.
Tech website The Next Web said that the app works over both 3G and Wi-Fi and brings video calling, voice, chat, Skype credits and an interface optimized for the iPad. The app isn’t universal, so users will have to download the iPad specific Skype app.
The release of a Skype app on the iPad will pose a challenge to Apple’s FaceTime, which enables video calling over Wi-Fi only.
Will you use Skype for the iPad when the app is finally released?
via: WSJ
