You might have caught it in Villu’s post on the main blog (or even my other post on the Gear blog), but today marks the UK launch of the 3 Skypephone, a new mobile phone from 3 and Skype that makes unlimited Skype to Skype calls and chats possible anywhere you are.

3 is a pretty cool mobile operator—they seem to really understand the usefulness of having internet connectivity on your mobile, and have already been offering Skype on many of their X-Series and Mix & Match handsets.

The 3 Skypephone makes using Skype on the go easier than ever: from the time you first press the Skype button and log in, Skype is always on wherever you have mobile reception. You can make free Skype-to-Skype calls, have text chats with individuals and groups, and announce your Skype status so people know if it’s a good time to call you. If you and a friend both have 3 Skypephones, you can make unlimited calls to each other via Skype (subject to a generous fair use policy).

The phone also has a great internet browser (with 3’s Launcher for easy access to sites like eBay, Facebook and YouTube), music player, and mobile TV viewer.

You can get the 3 Skypephone in the UK at 3 Stores from this Friday, 2 November (or you can preorder it now). It costs £49.99 on pay as you go (and you need to top up £10 a month to keep your Skype service active), or is free on any of 3’s Mix & Match tariffs, which start at £12 a month for an 18 month contract.

Check out a couple photos from the press briefing this morning after the jump.

It was held at the top of the Milbank Tower on the Thames in London—a really neat venue.

Two of the friendly 3 Skypephone demonstrators on hand.

The press briefing room.

The view.

The demo room, complete with rainbows and a lounge area.