Nokia and eBay-owned VoIP service Skype announced a deal today. Skype will be integrated into Nokia devices, starting with the N97 series.
Skype will be incorporated into the N97’s address book, letting you see when Skype contacts are online and allowing for instant messaging. Users will be able to use 3G and WLAN to easily make and receive free Skype-to-Skype voice calls, as well as low-cost Skype calls to landlines and mobile devices.
“Making Skype available everywhere through mobile devices is essential to fulfilling our vision of ‘enabling the world’s conversations’,” said Skype COO Scott Durchslag. “Collaborating closely with Nokia to preload and integrate our software onto their devices will benefit the many Nokia customers who already use Skype, as it makes Skype easily accessible and simple to use on the go. It will also bring Skype new users who love Nokia’s Symbian S60 experience.”
This isn’t the only deal Skype has made. Yesterday, it was announced that there would be a Skype panel on Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 devices. “Users can customize the X1 user interface, bringing the apps and content they want to their active desktop,” explains Doug Mohney at Fierce VoIP. “Skype’s panel brings up Skype on the X1 and provides the functionality you’d expect – IM, presence, and calling.”
As far as Skype’s deal with Nokia, expect that to bear fruit in the third quarter. The N97 flagship device will be the first to offer the service.
