Skype Comes to BlackBerry, iPhone

LAS VEGAS - It seems like a match made in heaven. It's about time that eBay's (EBAY) Skype, Research in Motion's (RIMM) BlackBerry and Apple's (AAPL) iPhone users can all get along in a world of peace, love and happiness.

Here at the CTIA cellular industry show in Las Vegas, Skype has announced "lite" or thin client versions of its mobile phone software for BlackBerrys and iPhones. Actually, the iPhone app is available right now. In its first day on the iTunes App Store, it is already the number one free download. A free, downloadable version for BlackBerry Bolds and Curves will be available in May. Other BlackBerry smartphones will be supported later this year.

Skype Tops the App Charts

The Skype mobile app allows free Skype-to-Skype calls from any Wi-Fi zone to other Skype users worldwide. You will be able to call landline or mobile phones at Skype's current rates, send and receive instant messages to and from individuals and groups via the smartphone's 3G, Wi-Fi GPRS or EDGE connection, receive calls to a personal online Skype number and see when your Skype contacts are online and available to talk and message with. You need to make sure your smartphone is subscribed to both a wireless-calling plan and a data plan.

Skype's BlackBerry software will be available to users worldwide. The ability to make calls, though, will be available in 10 countries at the beginning (Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, the United States and the U.K.)

"With Skype on BlackBerry smartphones, we are making Skype available in the briefcases and purses of BlackBerry users around the world," according to Skype Chief Operating Officer Scott Durchslag. "We have heard loud and clear that our users want Skype on whichever smartphone they choose to use. This fulfills our promise of making Skype available on the major smartphones so consumers and mobile professionals can connect to Skype whenever, wherever and however they choose."

Gary Krakow is TheStreet.com's senior technology correspondent.