Skype Brings Video Calling to PlayStation®Vita

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Skype announced today that Skype video calling is now available on PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita), expanding Skype video calling capabilities to a portable gaming device for the first time. PS Vita, which launched in early 2012, will offer video calling capabilities and voice calling on both the Wi-Fi and 3G models. PS Vita users can download the application for free from PlayStation®Store later today*.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54892-skype-video-calling-playstation-vita

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120424/MM91633 )

"Our users appreciate being able to access Skype features wherever and whenever they choose," said Manrique Brenes, senior director, consumer electronics group at Skype. "With the launch of Skype for PS Vita, we are taking another step towards our ultimate goal of making Skype video calling available on every platform, all over the world, and meeting the demands of existing PlayStation users to offer video on a gaming console."

Skype on PS Vita runs in "background mode" for users while gaming or using other applications* and users have the capability to "pause" a game, conduct a call and then return to their previous activity.  Additionally, PS Vita features both front and rear facing cameras, which allows users to switch back and forth between the two during a Skype call. This is a great benefit of never missing a call even when playing a game or using another app.

PS Vita is available for $249.99 (MSRP) for Wi-Fi and $299.99 (MSRP) for Wi-Fi/3G models.  The device is also equipped with a 5" OLED touch screen, dual analog sticks, front touchscreen and rear touch pad, two cameras and a built in microphone.

Twelve time world champion Fatal1ty was one of the first users to test-drive the application.

"As a gaming enthusiast, I am always in search for a next big thing," said Fatal1ty. "When I heard Skype was going to be featured on PS Vita, my first thought was this was going to be the device that sets the bar for all new gaming consoles-connecting with family and friends while playing your favorite game."

For more information on Skype for PlayStation Vita, please visit www.skype.com/go/ps-vita or http://us.playstation.com/psvita/. 

About Skype:

Skype is communications software whose purpose is to break down barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Skype has recently introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to do things together whenever they're apart.

Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg, Skype is a division of Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free at www.skype.com.

*It may take up to 48 hours for the app to propagate in all local PlayStation®Stores. 

**Certain games will shut off network connectivity during use, which will stop incoming Skype calls. Certain applications will not be able to "pause" during a call.

SOURCE Skype