The 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas showcased several devices that will deliver a new mobile Skype experience for consumers and small business users.

Skype said its mobile strategy has been maturing for years. It has worked with hardware and software partners to bring Skype functionality to mobile products, meeting the demand of its 246 million registered Skype users.

"More than 80 percent of Skype users say they'd like to be able to access Skype from their mobile phone, and we're working hard to make it possible on an ever-widening range of devices," said Tony Saigh, head of business development for mobile at Skype.

Skype for Windows Mobile has clocked more than 7 million downloads and has come to include a wide range of wireless devices.

Last year marked Skype's break out from the PC as Skype became available on an increasing number of handheld devices, from Wi-Fi phones to smartphones and Internet tablets.

A significant step for Skype is the recent launch of 3 Skypephone in Britain, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Sweden.

Making its debut at CES, the 3G wireless 3 Skypephone lets users make Skype-to-Skype calls and send Skype instant messages from their mobile phone to other Skype users.

Also introduced at CES was Freetalk, a new wireless stereo headset, enabled by the new AvneraAudio technology, which delivers CD-quality sound and hands-free Skype calls at any time.

Nokia also joins the Skype bandwagon with the introduction of its N810 Internet Tablet -- a sleek, pocket-sized Wi-Fi device with a slide-out keyboard -- which allows Skype-to-Skype conversations and SkypeOut calls to take place in any Wi-Fi connection, including thousands of Boingo Wireless and EarthLink Wi-Fi hotspot locations.

"These new product categories make it easier for ... Skype users who are already mobile in one form or another to take and use some of their favorite Skype features, such as SkypeOut, with them wherever they go," Mr. Saigh said.

Even Sony PlayStation users will be able to take advantage of Skype with a simple system software update slated for later this month for PlayStation Portable. PSP users worldwide will be able to make free voice calls to other Skype users, see which friends are online and available to talk and -- with the purchase of Skype Credit -- make cheap SkypeOut calls and receive SkypeIn calls.

"With the world increasingly blanketed by wireless Internet access, there's a very real expectation among consumers to have Skype with them all the time," Mr. Saigh said. "And we love to delight them with new ways to use Skype on the move."