Hi everyone! My name is Manrique Brenes and I’m the senior director of the consumer electronics group at Skype. We’ve very happy to announce that the Skype Video and Voice calling app for PS Vita will be available later today on PlayStation Store.

Starting later today, you can enjoy free Skype calls on PS Vita. You’ll be able to keep in touch with gamers around the globe while you’re on the go as Skype is available for both the 3G/Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi models.

The Skype app includes free Skype-to-Skype voice calling, as well as high-quality video calling that utilizes PS Vita’s front and rear cameras. The Skype app on PS Vita runs in “background mode” while you’re gaming or using other applications* — meaning you have the capability to “pause” a game, conduct a call and then return to your previous activity — so you never miss a call. Plus, with a little Skype credit you can make low-cost calls to landlines and mobile directly from your PS Vita.

As you know, PS Vita is equipped with a 5” OLED touchscreen, dual analog sticks, precise rear touch pad, two cameras and a built-in microphone that can be used with any Skype-certified headset.

To help walk you through the application, check out the video with our friend, fellow game enthusiast Fatal1ty.

Please visit www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-ps-vita for more information on Skype features for PS Vita. For feedback or questions please visit Skype Support. Happy gaming!

* Certain games/applications will not be able to “pause” during a call.”

• Download and install the 3.90 firmware upgrade to the PSP-2000 system.
• Connect the PSP to the Internet at a Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Attach a PSP Headset and the Remote Control from the PSP-2000 Headphones to the system, and insert a Memory Stick Duo to save the Skype application software.
• Access the Skype/Sign In icon within the Network category of the XMB menu. If you’ve never used Skype on your PC, you can create a free account directly on your PSP. If you already have a Skype account, you can simply enter your username/password.
• To make a call, either access the Contacts icon and click on a name or scroll to the Dial icon and use the keypad.

You can talk to anyone else on Skype anywhere in the World for free. For calls to and from landline or mobile phones, you need to purchase Skype Credit. More details are available here. We’ve created a brief video with John Koller, senior marketing manager for PSP, to show you how to get started.

In the video, we used an actual setup – not some show floor mockup connection, and I was pleasantly surprised at the voice clarity. While I don’t know that this feature is meant to replace your mobile phone, it can be really handy, especially if you’re already using Skype and don’t wanna have to lug a laptop around. Between this, the recently-instituted Internet Radio features, the just-announced Blu-ray over PSP, and (oh yeah!) games, the PSP is practically begging to be taken with you every time you leave the house.