Skype announced on Thursday the release of a lite version of Skype for Android-powered and Java-enabled mobile phones.

Skype lite

Skype lite delivers the following:

  • Make Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world
  • Send/receive instant messages to/from individuals or groups
  • Make Skype calls at low rates to people on landline or mobile phones
  • Receive calls to your online personal phone number on Skype
  • See when your Skype contacts are online/available to chat

Skype lite works wherever mobile phones work, without requiring a WiFi connection. It uses local airtime and a mobile internet connection in order to sign in to Skype, update your contact list, update presence and send/receive calls or messages, both a calling plan and a data plan would be needed to run it well.

Skype lite works for Android devices, including T-Mobile G1, which is now sold in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is expected to also work on future Android devices. It is available for download at the Android Market.

It also works on over 100 Java-enabled phones from LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson. For users of these Java-powered phones, they can visit www.skype.com/m from their mobile browser or www.skype.com/go/mobiledownload from a desktop computer.

Skype lite can make Skype-to-Skype calls and low cost calls to landlines and mobiles abroad currently available in ten countries: the United States, United Kingdom, Poland, Brazil (Rio and Sao Paolo), Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Australia and New Zealand.