Microsoft and Skype have officially released version 1.0 of Skype for Windows Phone. This follows the release of the original beta version at Mobile World Congress, in February.
As the application sheds its “beta” title, the new release comes with a number of improvements. These include the ability to search for and add new contacts, as well as call landlines.
Notably, the application still lacks the ability to receive calls, while running in the background. As such, users can only receive calls if they have the Skype app open. According to reports, developers are still working to overcome the problem, which is reportedly due to a combination of the way in which Skype works and how the Windows Phone OS works.
Skype is expected to become increasingly integrated into the Windows 8 OS, following Microsoft's acquisition of Skype in 2011. Skype will reportedly remain a standalone application, available for multiple platforms.
At the time of the beta release, Ovum principal analyst Tony Cripps said: “At least in its initial guise, Skype for Windows Phone offers a fairly typical Skype experience on smartphones running as a standalone application.
“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.”
According to Cripps, a “pervasive Skype” has much more potential to disrupt existing models of communication than one dependent on users choosing to install it.
Skype for Windows Phone features the unique “Metro” interface which is associated with Windows Phone and utilises the cubist design ethic.
The application is available as a free download from the Windows Phone Marketplace and requires the Windows Phone 7.5 OS to operate. Skype currently has over 200 million monthly active users worldwide.
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