Hookflash today announced the official launch of its new iPad app. The app uses LinkedIn’s APIs to cull members’ connections and use contact details to provide a Skype-like experience that allows users to instant message, voice call, or video call their professional contacts on LinkedIn without having to navigate through the LinkedIn website. The app is set up as a digital rolodex, but it also includes a stream of users’ LinkedIn connection updates. The app currently allows users to video call their contacts as long as both have the Hookflash app.

“We’ve essentially turned the iPad into the world’s best business phone with a directory of over a 160 million professionals on a free global digital network,” said Trent Johnsen, CEO of Hookflash. “‘This changes everything’ has to be my favorite customer reaction to Hookflash so far”

Johnsen posted a blog entry to the official LinkedIn Blog announcing the app’s launch. From the post:

Hookflash for LinkedIn means no more searching for contact details, dialing multiple office and mobile numbers, or paying for expensive long-distance and roaming fees. Simply tap the LinkedIn contact you want to reach on Hookflash and instantly chat with them (video, voice and text).

Johnsen described the experience of working with LinkedIn’s Developer Network as “seamless,” which is a claim that the developers at Pealk would certainly dispute. Hookflash is the second developer to announce LinkedIn integration this week, after HootSuite announced that the new Company Pages feature of LinkedIn has been integrated into its interface.

Hookflash can now be downloaded for free through Apple’s App Store. The company suggests that users upgrade to at least iOS 5.0 for a better experience with the app.