Skype for Windows Phone beta released, full version due in April

[George P Global Moderator]

Microsoft is releasing a beta version of Skype for Windows Phone today, with a full release due in April. Skype for Windows Phone beta allows users to make audio and video calls to Skype contacts over 3G, 4G, and WiFi. Skype users can also make calls to landlines and mobiles with the application. Microsoft has certified a number of devices for Skype Windows Phone, including the Nokia Lumia 710, Lumia 800, HTC TITAN, HTC Radar , Samsung Focus S, and Samsung Focus Flash.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/27/2827455/skype-for-windows-phone-beta#

[nitins60]

ohhhh my god. best news for me today :p

Waiting for it :D

[The_Observer]

link to install

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-US/apps/c3f8e570-68b3-4d6a-bdbb-c0a3f4360a51?wa=wsignin1.0

Cant do so on my New Zealand account, maybe US only till April.

[capr]

reason #47 why i sold my windows phone. No skype, REALLY??? of course now, that reason is gone but a month back it was shameful to not have skype on a microsoft designed operating system

[psreloaded]

link to install

http://www.windowsph...1?wa=wsignin1.0

Cant do so on my New Zealand account, maybe US only till April.

Thanks for the link... :) its working on India marketplace. Direct search of the App is not working though...

[The_Observer]

Thanks for the link... :) its working on India marketplace. Direct search of the App is not working though...

thanks for that, now working for NZ marketplace

[BajiRav]

Thanks for the link... :) its working on India marketplace. Direct search of the App is not working though...

I think beta apps are not listed in the marketplace. The easiet way to get the app is scan the QR code on skype's blog using your phone.

http://blogs.skype.c...nd_video_c.html

[medium_pimpin]

downloading now. thanks for the link.

[articuno1au]

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-AU/apps/c3f8e570-68b3-4d6a-bdbb-c0a3f4360a51

Australian market code.

If you can't find it, follow my link, sign in to your "phone account" and then click "Check my market".

[_neutrino Veteran]

My boss will be excited for this he has a Windows phone.

[c3ntury]

I'd be surprised if Microsoft didn't bake Skype fully into the OS (perhaps an alternative to iMessage perhaps) with Apollo.

[Dot Matrix]

I'd be surprised if Microsoft didn't bake Skype fully into the OS (perhaps an alternative to iMessage perhaps) with Apollo.

That's what I'm waiting for. Even on Windows 8, this would be a nice iMessage competitor.

[George P Global Moderator]

I think skype will be able to integrate itself into the OS with WP8 but they might still keep it as an app in a sense. Just the way they talk about it seems to make it sound that way. We'll have to wait and see though.

[c3ntury]

That's what I'm waiting for. Even on Windows 8, this would be a nice iMessage competitor.

They'd be stupid not to, I mean hey, Skype has the reputation and brand, and I'd say it's better known than say, WhatsApp, Facetime and iMessage.

Perhaps they'll try and compete with both Facetime and iMessage with Skype integrated, the possibilities are endless ;)

[Mr. Gibs]

I'd be surprised if Microsoft didn't bake Skype fully into the OS (perhaps an alternative to iMessage perhaps) with Apollo.

They already have an alternative to iMessage, its called MSN and Facebook Chat and since Mango its baked into the OS.

That said adding skype to that list would be nice but what I really hope for is they make an API of sorts that allows other apps to use the messaging / contacts hub. That way you can have a central place for all your contacts / messages , regardless of the network / OS / app they use.

[rfirth]

They already have an alternative to iMessage, its called MSN and Facebook Chat and since Mango its baked into the OS.

I don't know how people keep missing this.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

I think beta apps are not listed in the marketplace. The easiet way to get the app is scan the QR code on skype's blog using your phone.

http://blogs.skype.c...nd_video_c.html

The app isn't a "beta" by marketplace standards. Those can't be open (Skype would have to add your Live ID to the allowed user list to enable you to download the app).

They just chose not to "distribute" the app (basically not list the app in the marketplace listings and search). This is commonly used by corporations who have line of business apps, but don't want them downloaded from the marketplace by non-corporate users, for instance.

reason #47 why i sold my windows phone. No skype, REALLY??? of course now, that reason is gone but a month back it was shameful to not have skype on a microsoft designed operating system

It might sound shocking, but it takes time to hire people and time to get things coded. Crazy I know...

Prior to the MS deal Skype probably had no immediate plans to target Windows Phone and as such didn't have a Windows Phone development team. Hence the release not happening seconds after the Microsoft deal was announced. Obviously, Skype would make it to Windows Phone eventually since they are now owned by Microsoft...

[jakem1]

I think skype will be able to integrate itself into the OS with WP8 but they might still keep it as an app in a sense. Just the way they talk about it seems to make it sound that way. We'll have to wait and see though.

I might be wrong but I thought it had already been reported that Skype was going to be baked in to WP8.

Personally, I don't see why it needs to be an app and I'd like to see it built straight into the People hub. When someone calls me on Skype the phone should ring as if I'm receiving a phone call. If I want to call a contact and they're logged into Skype I should have the option to call their phone or video call them on Skype. It should be as seemless as the texting/messaging already is.

Having said that:

I don't know how people keep missing this.

This is one of the biggest problems for Microsoft. By baking Live Messenger straight into the Messaging app they've lost a whole lot of brand awareness. If they bake Skype into the OS the way I describe above people will forget that they're using Skype and it becomes less valuable. It will be difficult for MS to get the balance right on this but I know that I forget that I can use Live Messenger on my phone because it's not advertised.

Mind you, the biggest issue for Skype at the moment seems to be the lack of multitasking. I'm surprised that Microsoft shipped it without the ability to run the app as a background task.

[psreloaded]

Multitasking will probably be in by final release. As it is, its only 0.2 currently.