Skype for iPad – How to Record Calls and Take Notes

We’ve always loved Skype, a magnificent tool that helps us get in touch with people via voice or video calls and when we heard it was available for our iPads, we were very pleased. We went straight to iTunes store and started to download Skype for iPad free. It seems that you can use it on Wi-Fi and 3G too and with no modifications versus the desktop version, Skype for iPad, lets you send text messages and call operator phone numbers, both mobile and land-based

“Why would you want to use Skype for iPad and not the native Apple application: FaceTime?”, some might wonder. Well, unless all your friends or business partners own an iPad, iPhone or an iPad, Skype can be really useful because it is available on all the popular operation systems as Android, Symbian, Linux and Windows, so, you can make calls and can receive calls from a friend using any of the above platforms. It is also compatible with the first iPad, though you should consider using an iPad 2 with Skype for iPad in order to take advantage of the video call function.

You can record calls on your iPad or iPhone using Skype, but be aware that the way to do it is different from the way you used to do/are doing it on your desktop (using special software, for example).

First you need to start you call via Skype, then you need to go into a recorder application (that needs to be downloaded before initiating the call, of course) and tap the record button. This is our favorite method because now, even if you carry on with your business and position Skype for iPad in the background, your call will not be ended. You can also start the recording prior to initiating your call and this means that the recording process will happen in the background. Try both, select your own favorite.

There are many applications that can help you record Skype calls on the iPad, but some have managed to convince us that they are worth the trouble of downloading them. Among these apps we will point out Quick Voice Free. As a voice recorder it stands out through the simplistic interface and through the unlimited duration of the recording. It has its flaws, though. It needs to remain as the front app during the recording session (no switching it to background allowed) and, if the recording file is greater than 5 MB, it remains “glued” to your iPad, it cannot be transferred.

If getting the recording app in the background is what you need (sometimes you need to do this in order to carry on with your work while in the call) then we can recommend two other paid, in this case, applications: Voice Recorder or Audio Memos. Don’t get scared upon hearing the term “paid”, they are really cheap, and unlike Quick Voice, they have no limitations and can be put in the background.

You can also write down notes during your Skype calls using iPad. There is a very interesting application that can help you with this note taking process: Evernote Free. If besides the built in keyboard you also like to take notes using handwriting, you need to spend some money for paid apps like: Notes Plus or Audio Notes.

We’ve presented some recorders, that export the data into audio files and some note taking tools that export it into PDF or other text formats. How about a tool that performs both of this processes at the same time and exports data as video while using Skype for iPad? Meet ScreenChomp. Using this app is similar to using most of the others, presented above. Open Skype, initiate the call then open ScreenChomp and start recording. Of course, no app is perfect, or at least we couldn’t find the perfect app yet, and ScreenChomp comes with some limitations too: if you are doing a video call than you will only get the voice recorded, no video, and if you are using headphones, you will get only your own voice recorded.

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