Skype for Android: Video Chat Available for Majority of Android Phones

Luxembourg Microsoft Mian — The Skype logo is pictured at Skype headquarters in Luxembourg, Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday that it has agreed to buy the popular Internet telephone service Skype SA for $8.5 billion in the biggest deal in the software maker's 36-year history. (AP Photo)

The majority of Android devices can now video chat through Skype.

Skype announced Thursday the release of Skype 2.1 for Android, which enables 17 phones to use the video chat feature.

The list of 17 phones includes several HTC, Samsung and Sony devices.

For those who can’t find their phone on the list, and are using Android 2.2 and above, can still go through with the update and enable the video chat feature in the settings menu. However, video quality may not be as good as “certified” Android phones on the list, the company said.

Although Skype said this update allows the majority of Android devices to video chat, not every phone will be able to use the updated feature. “Unfortunately, if you cannot see the video calling settings, it means your Android phone does not meet the minimum requirements needed to make Skype video calls,” Skype said in a blog post.

This news comes days after Skype announced the launch of Skype for iPad. Last month, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a partnership with Skype that allows Facebook users to video chat directly from the social network site.

Below is a list of phones that allow the video calling feature:

Acer A5

HTC Desire (2.2)

HTC Desire HD

HTC Evo 3D

HTC Evo 4G

HTC Flyer

HTC Incredible S

HTC Sensation

HTC Thunderbolt – Verizon (2.2) (US only)

LG Revolution – Verizon (2.2) (US only)

Samsung Droid Charge – Verizon (2.2) (US only)