App lets you make free calls with your smartphone over 3G at any time

(Skype)

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) client Skype has upgraded its iPhone application and will now let you make calls over 3G data connections.

The 2.0.1 update also includes support for Apple's iOS 4 multitasking meaning you can leave Skype running in the background and receive calls from your contacts at any time.

"This means you can receive Skype calls while other apps are running, even when your iPhone is locked," announced Skype in a July 21 blog post.

"And during a call, you can keep the conversation going while you switch to another task, such as checking a movie listing or reading an email. We've also updated the app's graphics to support iPhone 4's Retina Display."

Back in May Skype introduced 3G Skype-to-Skype calls on the iPhone, but warned the service would only be free until the end of August 2010. The company has since revised its policy, announcing there will be "no additional charges for calling over 3G."

iPhone users are rejoicing over the news. "I've been waiting years for this, thank you so much for finally making this happen," "Great news! I'm pleased to see that you fine folks have changed your mind regarding the additional fees for 3G calling," and "congratulations on your promotion from my second homescreen to my first," commented users on Skype's blog.

On a related note, an app developer has designed a new application that will make using Apple's video chat application a whole lot more convenient.

With FaceTime's current limitations, users must be connected via WiFi to make or receive a video call.

The new app, called Faceplant, will inform iPhone 4 users when their friends are available to video chat with push notifications. The app also lets you leave or receive video messages with your friends when one of you is not online.

According to the New York Times, the application has been submitted to Apple's App Store and will be available for download for free on Thursday.

http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/07/iphone_multitasking_3g.html

http://www.faceplantapps.com/

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/faceplant-app-eases-path-to-iphone-video-chats/