Shape Services to Skype-enable most mobile phones

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 08 May 2007 07:44

Business IT - Technology

German company, Shape Services, says it plans to release versions of its IM+ for Skype software, presently available only for BlackBerry, to run on most mobile phones.

The company announced this week, at the Wireless Enterprise Symposium in Orlando, Florida, a new version of its IM+ for Skype Software for BlackBerry and said it plans to release "in the nearest future" versions for Windows Mobile Pocket PC, Windows Mobile Smartphone, Palm OS, Symbian OS and J2ME devices. A WAP version that will support Skype access from low-end devices is also in the company's plans "for the upcoming months".

IM+ for Skype Software for BlackBerry supports voice and text communication with other Skype users and calls to landline or mobile phones via SkypeOut. Users do not need a PC running Skype, only their BlackBerry and a Skype account with SkypeOut call credits.

Shape Services has been working on cross-platform mobile software development since 2002. Its flagship IM+ Mobile Instant Messenger supports a wide range of public and corporate IM systems: MSN/Live Messenger, AIM/iChat, Yahoo!, Jabber, ICQ, Google Talk, MySpace, Skype, Microsoft LCS, Lotus Sametime, Reuters Messaging and Oracle IM. It runs on BlackBerry, Symbian (S60, Series 80, Series 90 and UIQ), Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone, J2ME, i-mode, Palm OS and BREW.