With more than half a billion registered users worldwide, Skype is one of those services that really needs very little introduction. We've been having a play around with the Skype mobile app on the Nokia X7 – read on for our thoughts!
Check out our Nokia X7 hardware review
Skype has been dominating the PC market for years, but it's only comparatively recently that it managed to hit the same kind of penetration in the mobile area.
It's taken a bit of time for versions of the software to appear on all the main OSes. That's changed now, with Skype nearly universally available no matter what phone you're using. But as for ourselves it's the Symbian Anna version we're concerning ourselves on the Nokia X7.
On running the software for the first time, you'll be asked if you want to automatically add the details of all your phone book contacts who use Skype to the Skype contacts list – a useful way to get up and running if this is the first time you're using the service.
The basic interface takes the form of several tabs running across the screen, each handling a different part of the program. Your default landing view is your Contacts list, the next is for active or recent chats; the third tab is your phone dialler, the fourth your browsing and usage history, and finally there's a tab for added-value services such as Skype Credits and Voicemail.
It's a fairly easy layout to get to grips with, and each tab offers associated tools and functions in the Option menu at the bottom left – again, a no-fuss solution that works well.
Starting a chat or a call with one of your contacts is just as simple. Select the contact's name from your Contacts tab and you'll see three icons light up at the bottom of the screen. These are quick to make a call, start a chat or send a file. If you choose to send a file, you'll be asked what type of file you wish to send and Skype will take you straight to your photos or video folder so you can select the file you want quickly and easily.
Considering the cost of data calls – or VoIP calls, if you prefer – on your monthly mobile data quota, we're not surprised to see this part of the Skype package taking an increasingly back-seat role to the messaging side of things. But free Skype-to-Skype calls are certainly an attractive part of the deal – plus you can use in-app purchasing to buy credits for calling outside of the Skype network.
In all, Skype is all about communication, and providing useful services in a simple way. And happily it ticks both those boxes on the Nokia X7.
DOWNLOAD: Skype
Size: 4.07MB
Price: Free
