Skype for iPad 'prematurely' released, no longer available (Updated x2)

Skype for iPad has just been released on the New Zealand App Store, which probably makes it about 16 hours or so until it goes live in the United States. Typically App Store releases like this find their way onto the NZ App Store first, then roll out across time zones over the course of the day.

The app was announced over a month ago in late June, but for unknown reasons its release was delayed until now. The iPad version of Skype supports the same features as the iPhone version, and it seems that all features other than two-way video chat are supported on the original iPad. The iPad 2, of course, will have full support for video conferencing via either of its cameras.

Skype for iPad is a separate app from Skype for iPhone, but like the smaller app, the iPad version will be free and capable of making calls over either Wi-Fi or 3G. We'll have an overview of its features later on.

[hat tip to iPhonewzealand]

Update: Looks like Apple decided to skip the timezone-by-timezone festivities, as Skype for iPad is now available in the US too, and possibly worldwide. The long wait is over, go download Skype now!

Update 2: Skype has "temporarily" pulled the app from the App Store, due to it "prematurely" going live. Not sure what was so "premature" about six weeks, but okay. If you didn't download Skype for iPad while it was available, you'll have to wait until Skype re-ups the app.