14 DAY TRIAL // The folks at Skype took their time to finalize their Windows Phone client. Available for download since February, the beta version of Skype was a work in progress until recently.
However, it looks like the application has just gone gold in the Marketplace and is now available for download to all Windows Phone users.
Even though Skype for Windows Phone brings quite a range of neat features, it still doesn’t support background functionality, which will probably disappoint most users.
Nevertheless, the application provides users with the option to search for and add new contacts, as well as make calls to landlines.
Obviously, the final version of Skype has been optimized to perform better than the beta, so expect increased boot speed and better overall performance.
In addition, several minor improvements have been included as well, which are meant to make the application more attractive and easier to use.
Those who own a Nokia Lumia 800 and install the application will probably be disappointed that they won’t be able to use its video and VoIP calls over 3G/4G and Wi-Fi connections functionality as it should.
That’s because the Nokia Lumia 800 does not come with a secondary front-facing camera. Anyway, Skype can also be used to show someone something that a user is looking at.
Furthermore, the application offers Skype Chat as a standalone feature, which allows Windows Phone users to chat to each other without having to use their cameras.
Skype for Windows Phone 1.0 has been considerably improved over the beta version, but some users already complain that other similar applications offer a much better experience (i.e. Tango).
Although the application currently appears in the Marketplace for Windows Phone users in the US, it seems that Skype has yet to make the software available for those outside the States.