Skype today announced version 5.0 for the Android platform and added one big feature: the ability to cross-integrate contacts between Skype and the phone.
Skype 5.0 can scan the local phone address book for other registered Skype users and will then automatically add them to the Skype app’s people list. Skype will also be able to sync the Skype address book with other Microsoft services to make sure it finds and adds all possible Skype users.
Android users will be able to turn this feature off if they wish, or pick and choose which contacts are added to Skype. Users’ actual phone number will not be shared as part of their public profile. Skype said similar features will soon appear in its apps for other platforms, such as iOS and Windows Phone.
