Skype

The best voice calling apps for iPad that let you call all over the world, no actual phone needed!

Looking for the best iPad apps to let you make audio and video calls? Apple doesn't include a Phone app on the iPad, and maybe that's just as well. Do we really need to see people with 7.9- or 9.7-inch devices propped up to their heads? Yet iPad owners may certainly need to make calls too, and like the giant conference phones of old, in some cases, bigger really can be better. So, if you absolutely, positively need to get your call on, and the iPad is what you want to use, you'll need to check out some alternatives. Luckily, there are several excellent voice calling apps to choose from. But what audio and video calling apps for iPad are the absolute best?

Skype's latest update, which brings the iOS client to version 5.2, comes with new additions in the form of voice messaging support, ability to view contact profiles and invite participants to a conversation.

Skype announced in a blog post today that older versions of its desktop client for Mac will be discontinued "over the next few months." The change is said to facilitate feature compatibility across different clients and ensure that new additions, like the ability to send messages to offline contacts, are available to a broader category of users.

Skype for iPhone today received an update that lets users edit messages they've already sent and makes it easier to set favorites. The update, bringing the app to version 5.1, also makes it possible to remove conversations from your recents list by pressing and holding.