Qik Video Connect lets iPhone and Android users taunt each other by video

Qik has updated its video calling app, Qik Video Connect, to support cross-platform calls between iOS and Android devices. The new version – a free download for both platforms, though the premium Qik Video Connect Plus is also available for iOS – allows the front and rear cameras to be used on the iPhone 4, iPod touch 4G, iPad 2 and Android 2.1+ devices for two-way video chat and video mail.

As well as the broader compatibility, Qik is promising boosted video quality and less of a hit on battery life than in previous versions. If you've got a Samsung Galaxy Tab, Samsung Galaxy Player, Samsung Galaxy S, or Telus Samsung Galaxy S Fascinate 4G, you can have VGA-quality calls over WiFi, too.

Video mail, however, will only be free until June 1, after which time it will be free to receive them but require a subscription in order to send them. Qik for Android can be downloaded here, and for iOS here.

Qik had previously said that it wanted to include FaceTime support, for native compatibility with iOS devices, but Apple's ongoing tardiness in releasing open APIs for its video calling service has obviously pushed it into this alternative strategy. Google is tipped to be readying a smartphone version of its own Android Gtalk video calling app for debut at Google I/O early next month.

[via Android Community]