iOS App of the Week I suppose we could have had Qik as the Android App of the week too, since the main change that Skype has made to this video-chat app since acquiring it from the original developer earlier this year is to make it cross-platform.

  

Video chat for free - even over 3G

The great divide has been crossed, allowing owners of iOS and Android tablets and smartphones to video-chat together.

It’s not the only video-chat app available on either platform, of course, but Qik does have other features that make it a good alternative to Apple’s own FaceTime software, or even to Skype itself.

The app works over both 3G and Wi-Fi networks, and provides options for adjusting image quality and resolution to cope with slower 3G connections. It also includes options such as video email, which allows you to record a video clip and then email it to your friends if they’re not available online there and then.

  

Edit your recording (left) then share it on the usual sites (right)

The developers have suggested they may charge for this particular option in the future - though that may well change now that Microsoft has bought Skype - but if that does happen then you do still have the ability to automatically upload your video recordings to your own personal gallery at Qik.com, or to post videos to your Facebook wall, Twitter account or YouTube.

Skype meets YouToob

You can also follow your friends, or be followed by others on Qik, just as you can with Twitter, ensuring that you always keep up to date with the latest videos from your friends.

Or share your videos on Qik's own site

Skype tells me that it’s these sharing and social options that set Qik apart from the existing Skype app.

It may be that Qik is merged into Skype at some point in the future, but for now Qik’s cross-platform chat and sharing options make it a handy app for any iPhone or iPad user who wants to keep up to date with their Android-toting friends. ®

We'll be making our selection of the best iOS smartphone and tablet downloads every Thursday. It you think there's an app we should be considering, please let us know.

'Droid fans, Android App of the Week is published on Tuesday.

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