Get set to Skype through your iPhone – at a price though! Skype’s refreshed iPhone app lets users make calls through 3G network too, at a price. Although Skype has not said how much the 3G calls will cost, the calls from Skype users over a WiFi network will remain free similar to computers. However, starting in 2011, “operator data” charges will apply. Skype has promised that he charges will be reasonable and do not want to price themselves out of the market. During August 2010, Skype will charge a monthly fee for the 3G calling feature on top of whatever fee you’re paying your mobile operator for data transfer.

The 2.0 update also neglects something which users have been asking for – push notifications. This may be an arguable point once OS 4.0 is available. Beyond the new 3G capabilities, minor modifications in launch speed were noticed. But, little has changed for the call quality indication and sound quality even for those on newer devices.

Skype has to keep in mind that users have already paid a large amount for monthly minutes on the iPhone. Although Skype remains a popular option for calls over WiFi, it is doubtful whether anyone would pay to use the 3G service.

These charges will give other iPhone calling apps a boost, especially ones that do not charge for calls. For instance, Fring, a calling service which combines many features including IM clients and calls over WiFi and 3G. But, if Skype continues to be the reliable service it has been, it may continue to remain popular despite charging for calls. Consider this, by now, 5 million users have downloaded the application from the iTunes Store. The figures reveal the importance of the feature to users.

Smartphones and 3G have evolved considerably and there has been a dramatic rise in sales of phones equipped with 3G.