Skype and Nokia this week announced a partnership under which Skype client software will be integrated into nokia devices, starting with the Nokia N97 in the third quarter of this year.

"Nokia N97 users will be available to use 3G and WLAN to make and receive Skype-to-Skype voice calls, which are free, in addition to low-cost Skype calls to landlines and mobile devices," writes eWeek's Roy Mark. "In addition, Nokia and Skype will make the software dynamic, allowing users to see other Skype users that are online and to also use instant messaging."

"It seems like only yesterday Nokia was removing SIP functionality from operator-variant handsets in order to appease the operators and gain that so-valuable subsidy," notes The Register's Bill Ray. "But now N-Series devices will have a proper Skype client integrated, including presence and messaging as well as VoIP, in a move that isn't going to please network operators at all."

More here from CNET News ... more here from the WSJ ... more here from Electricpig ... and the press release is here.