Skype for iPad goes live, for a while

Skype's Internet phone and video chat application for Apple's iPad was available late Monday, however was quickly pulled from Apple's online stores. Skype said in a Twitter message that it had gone live prematurely.

June interview with Apple blog TUAW

In a June interview with Apple blog TUAW, Skype's vice president of consumer and product design, Rick Osterloh said the iPad version will have chat, audio and video calling. A few features in the PC/Mac app just as file sharing did not make it into the iPad version because of the way it handles files, he added.

Microsoft said in May that it had agreed to acquire Skype in an $US8.5 billion deal. It said it would continue to support Skype's product on rival platforms. Versions of the Skype application are already available on a variety of platforms including the Mac and iPhone.

John Ribeiro covers outsourcing and general innovation breaking news from India for The IDG News Service. Follow John on Twitter at @Johnribeiro. John's e-mail address is john_ribeiro@idg.com