Skype Lite Java client announced

Skype announced the availability of Skype 1.0 Beta for Intel-based Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) at CES yesterday. OK so what does that mean? Well for starters, it means a whole slew of devices will now be able to support the Java-based Skype Lite platform. So Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, and other manufacturers are now in the game, so to speak. T-mobile’s G1 powered by Google’s Android OS was probably the biggest winner in this announcement as far a compatibility is concerned.

This Skype Lite Java platform is not compatible with apple’s iPhone or iPod Touch devices, however. Until a native Skype client for those devices arrives, we’ll be stuck using something like fring for access. Not the worst thing in the world, but a native application would be great.

On another Skype related note, we at Chromis are still waiting for Skype and Digium to follow up on the news of Skype/Asterisk compatibility that was announced at Astricon in September. It was big news at the time, but since then I haven’t heard anything. I’d love to hear how the beta testing is going.