One of the biggest capability gaps with Apple's
iPhone was the lack of instant messaging in general, and
Skype support in particular. Skype's popular voice chat service lets you make free voice over IP (VoIP) calls to other Skype users, and cheap calls to everyone else -- including most international call areas.
Shape Services has now introduced a beta version of
IM+ for Skype that let's iPhone users run Skype to place and receive high-quality Skype calls. IM+ for Skype works over the EDGE network by pointing the iPhone's Safari browser to
IM+ for Skype software
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IM+ for Skype is currently offered for free, but this will likely change. Shape Service's
IM+ All-In-One Mobile Messenger product lists for about $40 USD. Expect this service to come with strings attached in the near future.