14 DAY TRIAL // Skype has recently announced the release of its Skype 3.0 Beta for the Windows Mobile operating system. The new version of the popular application comes with a series of fixes, but also includes some rather attractive new features, among which we can count SMS and file transfer capabilities.
The new Skype 3.0 Beta allows users to send text messages from their mobile phones at Skype's low rates, and also offers the possibility to send or receive files from their Skype contacts no matter where they are located around the world. In addition, the user interface of the application has also been enhanced, while combining the Windows Mobile Pocket PC (touchscreen) and Smartphone (non-touchscreen) apps into a single package.
The fact that Skype users will now be able to send files to their contacts directly from their mobile devices sounds great. In addition, given the fact that Skype-to-Skype file transfers are supposedly secure and private, users will also be able to exchange rather sensitive documents, even when they use unsecured WiFi networks.
The newly added SMS feature could prove more than useful when traveling abroad, for it allows users to avoid mobile roaming charges and enables them only to pay Skype's low SMS rates. Nevertheless, one should bear in mind that roaming charges would apply in case Skype is used on a 2G or 3G network.
The rest of the features that we are accustomed to see with Skype are present in the new 3.0 Beta version as well, including support for free Skype-to-Skype calls, free Skype-to-Skype instant messaging, as well as calls to landlines or mobile phones with Skype Credit or a subscription.
The new Skype 3.0 Beta for Windows Mobile comes with compatibility for Windows Mobile Professional and Windows Mobile Standard smartphones, 5.0, 6 and 6.1 versions, and needs 12MB of storage space in case it is installed on the handset's internal memory or 6MB of free space in case the installation is made on a memory card.
Those of you who would like to download the latest version of Skype can find it on Softpedia as well, both for Pocket PC and for Smartphone, though it is the same package now.