German Developer Releases Skype for iPhone

A version of Skype that runs in Safari allows iPhone users to tap Wi-Fi or their unlimited data plans for calling.

The tech world may have collectively sighed when Steve Jobs announced that the iPhone’s support for third-party applications amounted to AJAX Web 2.0 apps, but as it turns out, that capability is turning out to be quite powerful. Shape Services recently built a version of Skype that will run through Safari, allowing iPhone users to skip the traditional phone interface and pipe conversations through the VOIP client instead.

The German software developer announced the beta version of “IM+ for Skype” on Monday, which is available for immediate download from skypeforiphone.com. Although it isn’t officially endorsed by Skype, IM+ for Skype was built using Skype’s own publicly available API, which is specifically intended for third-party developers to craft their own Skype clients and plug-ins for the platform.

A VOIP client on an existing telephone platform may seem counterintuitive, but there are many ways Skype could potentially be deployed to save users money. Using SkypeOut allows users to call anywhere in the world for significantly slashed long distance rates. For instance, a call to Spain would cost 32 cents per minute using AT&T long distance, or 2.1 cents per minute using Skype. Unlimited domestic calling with Skype costs less than $3 a month, and Skype to Skype calls are always free.

Since Shape explicitly claims its version of Skype will work on any data service and not just Wi-Fi, switching to Skype for a significant amount of calling may actually be feasible. Whether or not AT&T will object to this loophole remains to be seen. Users skirting expensive call plans by taking advantage of the unlimited data on the cheapest plans could potentially bite into the phone company’s bottom line.