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Now that mobile webcams are included into the hardware of most smartphones and tablets, the popular videochat application Skype has long been available to Android and iOS users, but the application still remains one of the main videochat clients on mobile devices and computers for some time now. While it still carries its older design aesthetic, it still offers a great way to video chat with your friends provided you have a reliable connection. This is a great addition to any tablet for keeping in touch with your friends for free, provided you have a camera in your mobile device.
What works
Before you can start chatting up your friends, you must make a Skype account, but the app will walk you through this if necessary. Once you've created an account, you can either load up your account with credit for calling land lines internationally, or you can start building your contacts list. Once this is done, you are ready to go.
Skype is about as versatile as a chat app can get. Not only can you video chat with other Skype members, but you can also instant message, send files, share your screen, and voice chat as well. You will need a reliable WiFi or 3G/4G signal to use it, but the program is fairly stable.
What doesn't
Critics of the app maintain that Apple's competitor FaceTime is a more polished and modern client to videochat over, despite it being limited to the Apple ecosystem. Let's face it: not all your friends have iPhones, and there's bound to be at least one of you buddies on a PC or Android phone, right? Still, the critics are absolutely right. Skype is in need of an update to make the app run more smoothly across different platforms. For example, why are the icons so tiny on 10 inch tablets?
Worth the download?
While there is no dearth of social media apps for iOS and Android, Skype stands the test of time as a great way to talk to your friends for free. With video, file share, voice, and text capabilities, the Skype app allows you to take all the best features of the original program with you on a tablet or smartphone. While the setbacks are largely aesthetic, overall the experience will be a rewarding one for you, especially since there are so many people using the client as it is. The app can be downloaded from Apple's App Store, and Google's Play Store for free.