MWC 2012: Skype Beta Launches On Windows Phone

Skype has launched the beta of a Skype app for Windows Phone, with a gold (release candidate) version of the app becoming available in April.

Windows Phone users can download the app from the Marketplace, with Skype claiming that the release means that the VoIP service is now available on “almost all of the leading mobile operating systems”.

Talk for free

Users can make free audio and video calls to their Skype contacts on Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G connections as well as affordable calls to landlines and mobiles using Skype credit. It says that the client has been tested on a range of Windows Phone devices, including the Nokia Lumia 710 and 800, HTC Titan and Radar, and the Samsung Focus S and Focus Flash.

“One of the things we know people want to do on their phone is Skype,” said Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of Windows Phone. “The Metro design in the new Skype app for Windows Phone makes Skype shine in a whole new way, delivering a clean and simple experience.”

“Skype for Windows Phone Beta supports the most important Skype features you’ve come to know and love,” commented Rick Osterloh, vice president of products at Skype. “You will be especially thrilled by the clean and simple Skype experience that the Metro user interface delivers on your Windows Phone. It has never before been so easy to connect with the people you care about most.”

“This is only the beginning for Skype for Windows Phone … it’s just going to get better and better,” he promised. “We see incredible potential to include Skype capabilities in Windows Phone in order to enable a great experience for you.”

Last month, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, a Skype executive said that a Skype client would be released soon. Microsoft purchased Skype last October in an $8.5 billion (£5.4bn) acquisition, while in November, Skype improved its integration with Facebook, allowing its users to call each other directly through the social network.

How much do you know about smartphones? Take our quiz

Steve McCaskill

Steve McCaskill is editor of TechWeekEurope and ChannelBiz. He joined as a reporter in 2011 and covers all areas of IT, with a particular interest in telecommunications, mobile and networking, along with sports technology.

View Comments

  • This is just a small first step for the Microsoft and Skype partnership. I will be interested to see how Microsoft integrates Skype into Windows Phones and how it chooses to incorporate the app into competitors' devices, given the recent news of Cisco's concerns.

    Sarah
    Mosaic Technology
    http://www.mosaictec.com

Recent Posts

Craig Wright Sentenced For Contempt Of Court

Suspended prison sentence for Craig Wright for “flagrant breach” of court order, after his false…

3 days ago

El Salvador To Sell Or Discontinue Bitcoin Wallet, After IMF Deal

Cash-strapped south American country agrees to sell or discontinue its national Bitcoin wallet after signing…

3 days ago

UK’s ICO Labels Google ‘Irresponsible’ For Tracking Change

Google's change will allow advertisers to track customers' digital “fingerprints”, but UK data protection watchdog…

3 days ago

EU Publishes iOS Interoperability Plans

European Commission publishes preliminary instructions to Apple on how to open up iOS to rivals,…

4 days ago

Momeni Convicted In Bob Lee Murder

San Francisco jury finds Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder of Cash App founder Bob…

4 days ago