‘Skype iPhone video calling guide’ with Verizon logo posted online, as well as mobile video teasers
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
A ‘Skype iPhone video calling guide’ was posted online Wednesday, and on a separate page on the Internet calling company’s website, a series of teaser videos that were shot on a mobile device -- possibly a smart phone -- were also posted.
Officials at Skype were unavailable Wednesday evening to comment on the iPhone video calling guide, or its authenticity, or whether the teaser videos were shot using an Apple iPhone or any other smart phone.
But the link to the teaser videos online was included in a message on Skype’s Twitter account in a message that reads:
We’re counting down to something huge http://bit.ly/hTE1Ai #whatsnext
The iPhone video calling guide was posted to Skype’s mobile download website under a title of text reading ‘How do I make video calls with Skype for iPhone?’ with a Verizon and a Skype logo above it.
Verizon officials weren’t available Wednesday to comment on why its logo appeared on the iPhone calling directions, but the appearance -- authentic or not -- will certainly add more fuel to the ever-growing rumors that the wireless provider will soon offer the iPhone on its network.
Currently, the iPhone is only available through AT&T.
Engadget was among the first websites to report the posting of the Skype iPhone calling ‘help document.’
The iPhone calling guide said under the question ‘What do I need to be able to make video calls with Skype for iPhone?:’
To make video calls with your contacts, you will need an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, 3rd generation iPod touch, 4th generation iPod touch or an iPad. Your contacts will only be able to see you if your device has a camera. Make sure your device is running iOS 4.0 or above and that you are using Skype for iPhone 3.0 or above.The contacts you are calling must be using one of the following Skype clients: Skype for Windows version 4.2 and above Skype for Mac OS X version 2.8 and above Skype for iPhone 3.0 and above
And under the question ‘Do I need WiFi access to make video calls with Skype for iPhone?:’
You can make Skype video calls by using a WiFi or 3G connection*. The quality of the video will depend upon the available network conditions. *Additional data charges may apply. Check with your operator for details.
As well as, under the question ‘Which camera can I use on a video call with Skype for iPhone and how do I adjust the picture?:’
If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch with two cameras -- front and rear -- you will be able to switch between them during a Skype video call. If you have an iPhone 3GS it will always use the rear camera. If you turn your device into landscape mode, the camera picture will automatically rotate. In both portrait and landscape mode double tapping anywhere on your screen will zoom the picture to take up the full extent of the screen. Double tapping again will take the picture back to its normal size.
The teaser videos, posted at http://whatsnext.skype.com, play under the text ‘I wish I could share moments like these.’
Skype is set to make some announcements at the Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas -- which we’ll be covering on the LA Times Technology blog -- but so far the company hasn’t said whether its announcements could include calls on an iPhone, Android phone, or any other phone.
Another possibility is that the company is working on a simpler, not-shot-in-real-time video sharing feature of some sort.
Either way, more video services look to be in Skype’s future.
RELATED:
Skype outage blamed on bug in older software
Skype to reimburse paying customers after outage
-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles
Top image: A screenshot of a video on whatsnext.skype.com. Bottom Image: A screenshot of an apparent iPhone calling guide with a Verizon logo on it.