Skype for Android arrives; U.S. only gets Wi-Fi while the world gets 3G calling

There's good news and bad news for some Skype users this morning with the awaited arrival of the Skype for Android mobile application.

The app is much like the computer software and the iPhone app version. Users can make free Skype-to-Skype calls, call other phones either domestically or internationally at low rates, send and receive IMs between Skype users for free. (But you need to sign up for Skype credit online at Skype's website before making any paid calls.)

While the app is apparently capable of working over either Wi-Fi or 3G connections, U.S. customers will only be able to make calls over Wi-Fi...for the moment. Talk about unfair. There's no reason why yet, but you probably can assume it has something to do with mobile providers.

Skype subscribers using the iPhone app can make paid Skype calls over 3G until the end of this year.

This app is free and available for downloading from the Android Market now. For a closer look at how the Skype for Android works, check out the video below: