Skype for Windows Phone finished, goes live
updated 09:05 pm EDT, Sun April 22, 2012
Skype on Windows Phone official for all
Skype picked an uncommon weekend introduction to post the finished version of its VoIP app for Windows Phone devices (Windows Phone Marketplace). The new version from Microsoft's recent acquisition adds some of the core features that had been missing in a preview version from February, including Skype Out calls to landlines, the ability to add and find contacts, and numerous improvements to performance. It could already make typical Skype-to-Skype calls and chats in an interface tailored to Windows Phone's Metro interface.
Unlike Android and iOS versions, however, the initial Windows Phone port won't take calls in the background. As such, it's mostly useful for outbound calls or for those who anticipate setting up calls. An existing competitive app, Tango, can handle VoIP and video calls in the background, but can't usually talk to other major networks.
The core app is free and should work on most any Windows Phone device, including on 3G, 4G, or Wi-Fi. Calling to real-world numbers carries a fee. Neither Skype nor its parent Microsoft has said if or when background calls would be added, although it should no longer be determined by OS limits. [via WPCentral]
