Skype announces Nokia hook-up

SKYPE HAS REVEALED that all new N-series Nokia smartphone handsets will soon come pre-loaded with its Internet calling and instant messaging software.

Nokia's N97 will be the first hardware to feature the Voip software when it goes on sale in the third quarter of 2009. The software will integrate with the handset's address book allowing users to see if their contacts are available at any given time.

The announcement was made at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and, as well as getting into bed with the world's largest maker of mobiles, Skype is also generating a reputation for being a bit of a gadabout as it's also been seen canoodling with the likes of Sony Ericsson.

The big question is, will large airtime contract providers be happy to have one of their revenue streams diluted by software which gives one of their core services away for nothing? Not blooming likely!

We fully expect to see Nokia N series handsets provided by the likes of Vodafone and O2 with Skype's software conspicuous by its absence. µ