The application will come soon, alongside the new OS version

Apr 3, 2014 06:33 GMT  ·  By

Yesterday, at the BUILD 2014 conference in San Francisco, Redmond-based software giant Microsoft officially unveiled its newest mobile OS version, namely Windows Phone 8.1, and also announced a new iteration of Skype, specifically designed for it.

The new application will become available for download soon, the company says, set to provide users with a nice range of new, highly appealing features.

One of them is related to video calling, as Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 will allow users to seamlessly transition from a voice call to a Skype video call, Microsoft announced. The feature can be seen demoed in the first video below.

“We know Skype users feel most connected to their friends and family when they can see their faces,” the company notes in a blog post.

“For the first time on mobile, you can easily upgrade your regular phone calls to Skype video calls. You can preview the feature in the current Store app, with more to come in the next few months.”

What’s more, the new application has been designed so as to work closely with Cortana, the new personal digital assistant that has been unveiled as part of the Windows Phone 8.1 platform.

According to Microsoft, the fact that the new Skype will work closely with Cortana means that users will stay closer to the people and things that matter the most for them. You can learn more on the matter in the video embedded at the bottom.

“People with a Windows Phone 8.1 device can use Cortana to quickly and easily start Skype calls. It’s as easy as saying ‘Skype, get Lara Kingwell on video’. Cortana will be included in a Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 update, which will be released in the coming months,” the company announced.

A variety of other enhancements will also be included in the Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 application, designed to take advantage of some of the main features that Windows Phone has been released with.

Thus, Skype will enable people to stay connected with those that matter the most for them at all times, with real-time notifications and updates available on the Live Tile.

Skype will also be integrated with People Hub, so that users can initiate video calls straight from the contacts list. Moreover, the app will come with Video Instant Messaging, so that users can send videos to their contacts even when they are offline.

Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 will also arrive on devices with support for HD 720p video calling, while also allowing people to navigate through the app using a beautiful modern user interface.

The features that Windows Phone users love in Skype, including video calling, instant messaging and audio calling, are all there, but made better.

“With Skype for Windows Phone 8.1, it will be easier than ever to reach the special people in your life across all of your phones, tablets and computers – and not forgetting Xbox and TVs. We’re eager for you to get your hands on it, so stay tuned for more from us in the coming months,” Microsoft concluded.