By Khurram Aziz | Nov 21, 2012 12:07 PM EST
Skype has released the latest version of its Internet voice chat software for Android, which has been specially optimized to run on tablets.
Skype 3.0 features a two-column user interface with access to the major areas of the app on the left-hand side and the active window to the right. The layout makes multitasking a lot easier because users can now use the instant messenger (IM) service while on a video call.
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Moreover, the easy to navigate app offers contacts and profile at the top of the left column and a "recent" list, detailing your IM chats and calls near the bottom. The app allows full screen video calls, regardless of the display size of a user's tablet and can also use the device's rear camera to showcase the world around the user.
Additionally, Skype 3.0 for Android users can now log in with their Microsoft account thanks to the company's recent integration of its Windows Live Messenger with Skype.
"With so many now using tablets to make video and voice calls with Skype, this latest version is optimized to scale to your tablet's bigger screen, so you can experience Skype on a larger display wherever you go," noted a post on Skype's blog. "From now on you can share the moment, a photo or a smile on the most popular Android tablets including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, the Google Nexus 7, Acer Iconia, Asus Transformer Prime, Motorola Xoom and Sony S. And with our redesigned look and feel, Skype looks great no matter what screen size you have - either on a smaller Android phone or the more spacious display of your tablet."
Microsoft bought Skype last year for $8.5 billion and has since made the service integral to its plans to expand into the smartphone and tablet space.
With the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 operating systems last month, Microsoft announced that it was getting rid of its existing messenger and will eventually add all Windows Live user's to its existing 280 million Skype monthly users by next year.
In preparation, Microsoft has begun rolling out a new version of Skype that is designed to function smoothly across a range of platforms, such as smartphones, tablets, Windows desktops, as well as across the iOS and Android ecosystems.
Skype is the most popular video calling app on Android, while on the iPhone it competes with the native FaceTime application. TechCrunch reports that the Skype Android app has been downloaded 100 million times.
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