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Skype today announced the release of Skype (News - Alert) for Android, a client for mobile handsets that was built for smartphones running Android OS version 2.1 or above.

Skype has reportedly tested it on HTC's (News - Alert) Desire and Legend phones, Google Nexus One and Motorola's Milestone and Milestone XT710. While the app may work on other Android phones, Skype said it cannot guarantee it, and it will certainly not work on phones with screen resolutions below 480×320 pixels. The new Skype for Android also does not appear to work on Samsung’s (News - Alert) Galaxy S, something Skype promised it would look into.

Some users of Android OS 2.1 or above can install Skype and use it for either a WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G). In the U.S., however, the app can only be used via WiFi, not via 3G. Skype did not offer an explanation for this limitation, though it was initially the same scenario with Skype for the iPhone (News - Alert): at the iPhone Skype app's launch, it too was available only via Wifi. However, that is no longer the case.

Despite its limitations and hiccups, many Android (News - Alert) users may welcome the app as a way of saving money and minutes: previous Skype wireless applications, such as Skype for Verizon, used the subscriber's wireless carrier plan minutes, whereas the Skype for Android will use only a subscriber's pre-paid Skype minutes.

According to Skype, the new app provides Android users with a broad range of features, including:

• Free Skype-to-Skype calls over WiFi or mobile data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G) to other Skype users anywhere in the world using Skype’s SILK codec for CD-like audio quality.
• Again, however, calls via mobile data connection are not available for U.S. consumers;
• Low-rate Skype calls to landline or mobile phones;
• Instant messaging to one or a group of friends on Skype;
• The ability to synchronize contacts between Skype and the native address book and after synchronization place Skype calls directly from the native address book;
• A view of Skype contacts who are online and available to call or chat;
• The ability to easily import names and numbers to the Skype application from the native address book;
• The ability to receive calls on a Skype online number.

Mark Douglas, product manager for Android said, “The Skype experience is ubiquitous today. More and more people are using Skype to do things together when apart. With the addition of Android, we are pleased that Skype is now available on three of the most popular mobile platforms today: Android, iOS and Symbian.”

Skype for Android is available today for download from the Android Market.