Microsoft releases 1.0 version of Skype for Windows Phone

Summary: The 1.0 version of Skype for Windows Phone is available in the Marketplace as of April 22.

By Mary Jo Foley for All About Microsoft | April 22, 2012 -- 13:17 GMT (06:17 PDT)

Version 1.0 of Skype for Windows Phone is now available in the Windows Phone Marketplace, as reported by WPCentral.com on April 22.

The 6 MB free Skype for Windows Phone app runs on Windows Phone 7.5 devices and higher. It works over WiFi or 3G. Version 1.0 replaces the beta of the app which Microsoft rolled out at the end of February.

WPCentral notes that the 1.0 release3 adds the ability to search for and add new contacts and call landlines. However, it does not allow background calling, meaning the app will only allow someone to call if the user has Skype open and is in the app.

Microsoft is expected to more tightly integrate Skype with the Windows Phone 8 operating system release. However, according to early leaks, Skype will still remain a standalone app by the time Windows Phone 8 debuts, which is expected to be before the end of calendar 2012.

There are already Skype for iPhone, Skype for Android and Skype for Blackberry apps available.

WPCentral also noted on April 22 that the 2.0 version of Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud-storage app for Windows Phone also is now in the Windows Phone Marketplace, too. Microsoft's SkyDrive team recently added ODF document support and URL shortening, among a few other features, to SkyDrive.

Topics: Operating Systems, Collaboration, Microsoft, Mobility, Software, Windows, Social Enterprise

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9 comments

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Wow!! It took them a long time to release a WP7 version

Skype is being available for iOS and Android (I think) for years. WP7 is being out for over a year and a half (1.5+) and Skype became part of the Microsoft portfolio for almost a year now (unofficially since May 2011 and officially finalized in October 2011, according to MS press releases).

So the question is: Is it really this hard to develop apps for WP7 ??

wackoae
22 April, 2012 16:36

Reply Vote
- Probably got something to do with WP8
  
  I'd guess it wasn't too much of a priority as Windows Phones with front facing cameras only came out in late 2011 and they're probably focusing on the big apps for Windows Phone 8 now, hence it not receiving calls unless you're using the app (which seems to defeat the point of the app to me but whatever...).
  
  I am a bit surprised though, I'd have thought Microsoft (and Nokia) would have wanted a really good video calling app to launch with the Lumia 900 but that appears to be Tango rather than Skype...
  
  prettyconfusd
  22 April, 2012 18:07
  
  Reply Vote
  - hi
    
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    nimakend
    22 April, 2012 20:29
    
    Reply Vote
  - Disappointing omission
    
    It means it's only good for outgoing calls, which is not completely useless, but very, very disappointing. I sincerely hope version 2 is not far behind.
    
    ggreig
    23 April, 2012 01:11
    
    Reply Vote
Well if more than a year were not enough

WP7 is more than a year in the market, MS owns skype and still delivering useless version of Skype. I guess they are abandoning WP 7.5 users now(again), since they are probably working on a version which runs on WP8. I'm the only guy in my Company who (still) can't skype. Its very sad, because I could do that in 2010 with Windows Mobile, and still, in 2012 can't do it with Windows Phone. For now I will stick with Tango, since it works on Bakground too.

I never thought I'm going to tell something like this, but I'm really dissapointed and its time to go for an IOS or Android with the next Mobile Contract.

frenkiesmart
23 April, 2012 08:27

Reply Vote
Whats the point?

Not to be funny, but the only two Windows Phone devices in our market is the two Lumia's (800 and 710) both of which does not have a front facing camera. Neither for that fact does any of the first generation devices. So what is there to rejoice about?

straatkat
23 April, 2012 09:06

Reply Vote
- Voice calls
  
  I understand that you might want to do video calls but a lot of people use Skype as an alternative to making voice calls over landlines or cellphones.
  
  I for one do it. Got a webcam on my laptop but I last used it for taking a photo of myself to use as a profile picture on linkedin 2 years ago. When I use it, it is mainly to text chat and occasionaly make and receive voice calls.
  
  I'm also not disappointed by the fact that it only works in the foreground, kind of expected it. It is a reflection of the way the skype service is designed. It facilitates the call, but doesn't control it. So if your skype is logged off, the service cannot find you to notify you of an incoming call. Tango can receive calls when it's not in the foreground so this is not a limitation of the Windows Phone OS, but something to do with Skype in general.
  
  For me, this gives me a way to make calls to my friends in other countries without using my mobile line which would be expensive. I can do that over Wifi, or even use the data on my phone which would end up cheaper than making a normal GSM call.
  
  IAmFabulous
  24 April, 2012 02:59
  
  Reply Vote
- Plenty.
  
  You've simply stated limitations up front, and then questioned them. "the only two Windows Phone devices in our market.." Is yours the ONLY market? Nope. I can prove that, as in my market, I now have the Nokia Lumia 900, and previously the Samsung Focus S... both with front facing cameras and carrier support for video calls. So, the problem, as you yourself note, is your market. Not that of Microsoft, nor Nokia. You are, what we call here in the states, barking up the wrong tree. (I've never seen a more apt example, actually)
  
  FuzzyBunnySlippers
  4 May, 2012 23:06
  
  Reply Vote
Will it save lonesome Windows Phone? Nope

I thought that the Skype integration should be end-to-end:
Microsoft had to integrate it with the office tools, make it available from the phone application, make it run in the background, make people say: "WOW", turn it into an integral part of Windows Phone.

That didn't happen, and what we got is just, an app...
http://www.mobilespoon.net/2012/05/will-skype-app-change-anything-for.html

Maybe the big step forward will be in Windows 8?

MobileSpoon
5 May, 2012 23:44

Reply Vote