Skype Takes a Small Step Forward on Windows Phone

Almost a year afterwards Microsoft agreed to buy Skype for $8.5 billion, we are getting a beta version of the messenger and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) software for Windows Phone devices. It is not quite what we expect but, nevertheless it's a start.

The beta version is available via the Windows Phone Marketplace and supports Skype to Skype audio calling, Skype to Skype video calling, landline and mobile calling, instant messaging, profile and account views, profile pictures, status messages -- all in a Metro UI. There are plenty of shortcomings in this version, including the requirement that the software needs to run in the foreground, no call-in-progress indicator, no conference calls, a crash if a call is ended previously the other party ends a call, no contact blocking and removal, and video calling that only works in landscape mode are only the major issues.

It's just a small step to provide the IM software for Microsoft's phones, nevertheless the initial feedback has been positive. "For the time being in its initial guise, Skype for Windows Phone offers a fairly typical Skype experience on smartphones running as a standalone application," said Tony Cripps, principal analyst at market technology firm Ovum. "We expect this to change in future iterations with Skype becoming a more pervasive part of the Windows Phone software platform and experience, with its functionality integrated tightly with applications and services across the phone increasing its utility."

Skype said that the beta was tested on the phone models Nokia Lumia 710 and Lumia 800, HTC Titan and Radar, as so then as Samsung Focus S and Focus Flash.