Skype for Android is great for making free video calls

Skype is one of the best ways to keep in touch with people all over the world. The Android app, which puts all the best Skype features in your pocket, is just as essential.

Syncing contacts in an address book with Skype contacts works well and means the app is up and running in seconds. It also sits idle in the background, so if you want you can always be signed in.

The layout is very similar to the desktop version. The main screen of the app has options for setting your online status, viewing contacts, updates, making calls and changing your profile. The nice thing about Skype on Android is that it is simple and, for the most part, it works.

That's not to say it isn't without its faults. On our fairly old Android smartphone it had some issues, but Skype says that devices running Android 2.2 may experience some hitches. The demands of making video calls can be a bit much for slower devices and the app does work better on more powerful, high-end smartphones. Still, voice calls are another less demanding option.

However, it still does an admirable job on less all-singing devices. Instant messaging is simple and quick, although the layout is a bit fiddly on a smaller smartphone screen. Making calls is simple, though best done over a good Wifi connection as 3G coverage can be unpredictable.

With a good network connection, making face to face video calls is a cinch. Adding credit to a Skype account means you can make cheaper international calls from a special Skype number too.