The development team behind popular instant messaging and VoIP (voice over internet protocol) application Skype has announced the release of Skype for Symbian. Say “hello Skype for Symbian”. The software is available for download from Skype or from the Ovi Store. With Skype for Symbian you can do all the bits and pieces you can do with the desktop version.

Skype’s Peter Parkes provided a detailed list:

• make free Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world
• save money on calls and texts with our low rates
• send and receive instant messages to and from individuals or groups
• share pictures, videos and other files
• receive calls to your online number
• see when Skype contacts are online and available to call or IM
• easily import names and numbers from the phone’s address book

You can do all of this on a WiFi connection and on a 3G connection – a feature Skype for iPhone has yet to see. If your Nokia uses Symbian^1, then Skype will work on it. Here are some of the supported models: Nokia N97, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia X6, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia 5530, Nokia E72, Nokia E71, Nokia E90, Nokia E63, Nokia E66, Nokia E51, Nokia N96, Nokia N95, Nokia N95 8Gb, Nokia N85, Nokia N82, Nokia N81, Nokia N81 8 Gb, Nokia N79, Nokia N78, Nokia 6220 classic, Nokia 6210 Navigator, Nokia 5320.

Moving on to the bad news, Skype announced it is pulling Skype for Windows Mobile-powered phones. Say “goodbye Skype for WinMo”. Skype also announced it’s pulling Skype Lite for Java handsets. Just like in the Skype for iPhone doesn’t work on 3G case, Skype justified its decision by saying they want to provide the best possible user experience. Skype for iPhone 3G is being held up because it can’t provide the best audio quality; Skype for Windows Mobile and Skype Lite are being pulled because they do no offer “a great Skype experience,” Peter Parkes explained.