The week has been an exceedingly busy one for Skypers - first a new version for Mac OS, version 2.8, was announced at Macworld in San Francisco; then, at CBS, the next edition of Windows version, Skype 4.0 was announced; followed by the announcement of the availability of Skype 1.0 Beta for Intel-based Mobile Internet Devices.

And the Skype 'lite' announcement, which implies that Android phones will now be able to make Skype calls. This means the running of Skype on a mobile phone would help users save a lot of money on international calls, as well as on the expensive roaming fees.

Initially, the new downloadable 'lite' version of Skype will provide voice calling to other mobile or desktop versions of Skype, though not video calling as yet. A version of the popular voice over IP software, 'lite' also works on more than 100 Java-enabled phones from five handset makers - Nokia, Motorola, Samsung LG and Sony Ericsson.

Currently available in the US, UK, Poland, parts of Brazil, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Australia and New Zealand, Skype 'lite' can be downloaded from the site www.skype.com/m by using the phone's mobile browser, or from www.skype.com/go/mobiledownload using a computer.

According to Scott Durchslag, Skype COO, "Making the Skype experience available for download to Android-powered devices, as well as hundreds of other mobile phones from the world's leading handset manufacturers is a major step forward for Skype. We are committed to working towards our goal of getting Skype into the pockets of the mobile masses."