There was a minor Skype update last night to version 1.3.1 to add support for iPhone 3.2/iPad but the most noticeable thing was what remained missing: Skype VoIP over 3G.

We're happy to get bug-fixes, we're glad about compatibility updates, but when AT&T gave the green light for VoIP over 3G back on Oct. 6, 2009 (and Skype applauding them for it), Apple allowing it in the iPhone 3.2 SDK agreement, apps like Fring, iCall, and Truphone updating almost immediately to VoIP over 3G at the end of January, and Skype promising we'd see it soon on Feb. 4, we have to wonder (and ask on Twitter) -- what's going on?

Some believe their recent dealings with Verizon have put Skype over 3G for iPhone on the back-burner, or have derailed it completely. If that's the case, however, given Skype's previous statements an update telling us so is certainly in order. If not, those millions of Skype for iPhone app downloaders would still like an update, thank you very much.

The stage is all yours Skype, can we get another update on that VoIP over 3G update?

Is the recently announced Skype/Verizon deal delaying the release of Skype over 3G for the iPhone? Previously AT&T announced they would change their policy and allow VoIP over 3G, Apple announced they would change their SDK agreement to allow it, and Skype announced they would provide it to their iPhone users. AT&T has come through, Apple has come through, other VoIP clients have begun offering 3G. And Skype...? They said they were waiting to make sure Apple was okay with it. They made sure. They said they were waiting to improve 3G call quality. And...? Still nothing.

They did, however, announce a deal for Skype over 3G with Verizon at Mobile World Congress a couple weeks ago. Since then, WMExperts tell us the Windows Mobile Skype app is no longer available for download. According to Venture Beat (via BGR) their Symbian Skype App has now been pulled from the Ovi Store. When asked why Skype was removed from the Ovi Store, Venture Beat was told:

Skype has made a decision in the United States to not promote the Skype for Symbian app through the Ovi Store. We did this so that we could drive more attention to the recently announced Skype and Verizon Wireless agreement. This was a marketing decision — plain and simple

The iPhone Skype app [Free - iTunes link] is still in the App Store (after a short hiccup) but it's still Wi-Fi only. When asked for comment after the Verizon agreement, a Skype rep would only tell TiPb that there was no further updates since last time.

So, is it just taking longer than we expected to get that really great 3G voice quality out for Skype? Or has the Verizon deal sucked all the attention out of the room? 9to5Mac thought so a couple weeks ago, do the Windows Mobile and Symbian actions now lend credence to that theory? And are you still waiting for Skype over 3G for iPhone, or have you started using alternatives? Let us know!

VoIP over 3G apps for iPhone are now beginning to show up in the iTunes App Store. After AT&T said they would allow VoIP over 3G, all that remained was for Apple to follow through with an amended SDK, and that happened with iPhone 3.2 SDK for iPad.

So far iCall Free VoIP [Free - iTunes link] and Fring [Free - iTunes link]

We're not seeing the monster in the space, Skype over 3G yet, but we're willing to bet that's incoming.

We're also happy to see that the iPad is indeed pushing things along for the iPhone as well, and we're wondering if this means we'll have VoIP over 3G to go along with those new AT&T iPad data plans they announced yesterday?

If you try out VoIP over 3G on your iPhone let us know how it works for you!

Sorry, Skype 1.3 [Free - iTunes link], we know you're trying, at least we think you are, but it's 2010 now and we have to agree with 9to5mac where's the push notification and VoIP over 3G?

Maybe Apple hasn't given you the tools or SDK agreement for VoIP yet, we don't know, but push notification are good to go, you know?

We appreciate the landscape mode of IM, the hints and tips, the general performance improvements, the call quality indicator, and the call drop after hold fix, really we do, but you're one of the premiere apps in your class -- we know you can knock this app out of the park.

UPDATE: Skype got back to us all official PR like:

We've identified the fault which has made Skype for iPhone unavailable to some people. A fix is underway, and we expect that the app will be fully available in the next few hours.

ORIGINAL: If you click on an iTunes link to get the Skype for iPhone App, as of this writing, iTunes pops up a notification saying Skype for iPhone is not currently available in the US App Store, or other international App Stores. If you search for Skype, the Skype app doesn't show up. Skype's official iPhone app page, still tells you to "Get it now", but it's currently not get-able.

Temporary glitch? Sign that maybe, finally it's being replaced with the 3G version AT&T, Apple and Skype said back in October '09 would be coming our way? Or just gone as in another App Store brouhaha may be brewing?

An international, hours-long lasting glitch sounds odd. Removing an old version and leaving nothing available for a time before replacing it with a new one isn't typically how the App Store works -- it's usually fairly unnoticeable to the end user (known bugs not withstanding). Unless CES is going to mean an announcement from Skype? And, well, we can't imagine something this high-profile would just be gone, right?

We'll update If Skype for iPhone comes back up, same as before or new and 3G, or if we get any solid info.

[Thanks to @mugunthkumar for the tip!]

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What does AT&T's announcement today, regarding a change of policy to allow VoIP applications like Skype to operate over the 3G network mean for Google Voice in the App Store and SlingPlayer over 3G?

Nothing.

Not to rain on our many commenters and emailers parades, but AT&T's VoIP policy has nothing to do with either of those apps because:

1. Google Voice was rejected/is still under review by Apple, not by AT&T. All parties have clearly stated AT&T has played and is playing absolutely no role in keeping Google Voice out of the App Store. That ball is still firmly in Apple's court, and it will take movement from them, and them alone, to bring it to the App Store when -- and if -- they decide to pull the trigger.

2. SlingPlayer sends your home TV video over 3G, and clearly has nothing to do with VoIP. AT&T has a distinct and separate policy forbidding the use of apps like SlingPlayer on their 3G network. Unless and until AT&T changes that second, specific policy as well, no SlingPlayer over 3G for you. (And seriously, given AT&T is dropping 30% of calls in NYC as well, does anyone think their network could survive even more traffic at this point?)

So there you go. You're getting VoIP from AT&T and Apple, no more, no less. Scratch that off the list, and if they've given an inch, and you hunger for a mile, keep the armor on and re-focus your battle on the next two (or more) targets.

Apple has now weighed in with regards to AT&T's announcement today that they would be changing their policy and allowing VoIP (Voice over IP) to operate over their 3G network (something they'd previously asked Apple not to allow). When reached for comment, Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris told TiPb:

We're very happy that AT&T is now supporting VoIP applications. We will be amending our developer agreement to get VoIP apps on the App Store and in customers’ hands as soon as possible.

Hopefully this means users on other carriers, liberated by AT&T along with the rest of us, will now also get VoIP over 3G apps. If any international carriers do decide to ban VoIP themselves at this point -- yeah, we don't see that going over well at all.

Following up on a rumor earlier today that AT&T would be announcing a new, friendlier policy towards Skype and Google Voice, Skype President Josh Silverman posted on the official Skype blog, saying "Good move, AT&T":

All of us at Skype applaud today's announcement by AT&T (in an FCC filing to be published shortly) that it'll open up its 3G network to Internet calling applications such as Skype. It's the right step for AT&T, Apple, millions of mobile Skype users and the Internet itself.

Silverman reveals that 10% of all iPhone and iPod touch devices have downloaded the Skype app (which makes roughly 5 million installs, if our math is right), and while they give AT&T the requisite kudos, Silverman states that it's the government and industry regulation that should ensure open networks -- in line with the FCC's recent move to establish "net neutrality".

Of course, AT&T announcements and Skype enthusiasm are one thing, let's see how long it takes to get Skype 3G into the App Store.

(And, of course, that still leaves Google Voice)

The Washington Post is rumormongering that AT&T might just officially announce support for Skype and Google Voice on their 3G network at this week's CTIA show, and that they will run on Apple's iPhone.

Normally Apple and Apple alone tends to speak about what's coming to the iPhone, so we'd dismiss this outright except for the fact that Google Voice has been an increasing thorn in Apple's otherwise incredibly successful iPhone side as of late, especially among industry watchers, tech pundits, and... the FCC. So, getting AT&T to slide it into a CTIA announcement might just let Apple get everyone off their lawn, without having to publicly eat any crow.

AT&T has declined comment, but Smartphone Experts has editor-in-chief Dieter Bohn and fearless CrackBerry.com leader Kevin Michaluk live at CTIA this week, and TiPb has asked them to keep their ears peeled, and fingers at the ready, should anything come of this.