Sitting at your computer to make cheap calls via Skype is so last year. Skype seems to be plowing into the mobile world here at CES. First off, the rumored PSP support for the VoIP software was confirmed. A simple system update for PSP users, which will be available in January, will allow the mobile gamers to make calls over Wi-Fi. In addition, the company announced that Intel’s MIDs running Wi-Max will be able to support Skype video calling. The software is also integrated into the recently announced Sony Mylo 2.

These are all well and good, but us U.S. Skype fans are still holding out for the availability of a carrier supported Skype phone. Well our dreams have pseudo come true here at CES. I had the chance to play around with the 3 Skypephone. Though only available to customers in the UK, Sweden, and other countries on the Euro that utilize the mobile operator 3 network, here at CES there is a Skypephone working on a certain U.S. GSM network (you have a 50/50 shot of guessing which one it is).

The phone itself isn’t much to write home about – though it does have a 2-megapixel camera and a fairly bright and big screen. However, I was blown away at the voice quality over the data network. It took a few seconds for Skype to connect my call to a contact as the phone routes the call first over a cellular network and then shifts to the data network. While walking around an office building I could hear my caller’s voice clearly, though there was a noticeable delay.

Of course, it is the carrier’s orders that you cannot use Skype Out on the phone so you are restricted to voice and chat with only your Skype buddies. The chatting is pretty neat, however the small keyboard is a bit frustrating. Nevertheless, you get some real time presence in chatting and calling since you can tell by just looking at your Skype contact list if someone is available to talk. And having a dedicated Skype button to launch your contact list at all times is pretty awesome.