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.