[Updated Jan. 9] -- Skype is beta-testing a "Moblin" version of its proprietary VoIP softphone. The eBay subsidiary says Skype 1.0 Beta for Intel-based MIDs (mobile Internet devices) offers excellent video calling, thanks to the high-performance processors and high-bandwidth wireless capabilities MIDs are expected to have.

(Click for larger view of Skype 1.0 Beta for MIDs)

Skype claims that the "higher" performance of MIDs, along with their 3G/4G/WiMax data networking capabilities, will offer users an "excellent" mobile video calling experience. Presumably, the performance is better than that offered by the Java version of Skype for mobile phones, or the native ARM Linux port bundled with Nokia's Linux-based 'Net tablets and Sony's MyLo communicator.

Skype 1.0 for MIDs, video settings
(Click to enlarge)

Like Skype's softphone for Linux desktops, first delivered in 2004, the MID version uses Qt Software's Qt 4 framework. Touted features of the Skype softphone include:"Fast, smooth" kinetic scrolling
Touchscreen support
Free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls anywhere
Cheap calls to landlines and mobiles
Receive calls from other Skype users or to personal online number
Instant messaging, group IM, SMS, call forwarding, voicemail, presenceThe beta port was announced this morning in a press conference at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. It primarily targets ODMs (original device makers) and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) using Moblin to build MIDs based on Intel Atom Z-series processors. Skype is also demonstrating the product at its CES booth, it said, at the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel from 6-10 PM PST on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009.

Skype's 1.0 beta for Moblin can be downloaded here. More information for developers may be available here. A bug tracking page is here, and support forums here.

More about Moblin can be found here.



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