Here’s something all Microsoft Windows Phone 8 fans have been waiting for. Per reports, a preview version of the new Skype app for Windows Phone 8 is now available to download.
The new Skype app for Windows Phone 8 is back in the news after it was reported last month that Microsoft had already completed developing a Skype app, alongside other apps such as Facebook and Twitter, for the Windows Phone 8.
At that time, it was reported that the new version of Skype can run completely in the background, which would allow users to receive phone calls and messages even when the app isn't running. Microsoft also stated that the app would be able to perform this action without draining the device's battery.
However, the complete version of the app is now being touted as a “complete incarnation of the VoIP client than Windows Phone 7 users had before.” The new app’s features now include the ability to run in the background, incoming calls that can be compared to regular phone conversations, and even lock screen notifications!
The app’s ability to run seamlessly in the background (something similar to Window 8), according to a WPCentral report, enables users to “sign in once and always remain online without having to worry about battery life. That trick is done through Microsoft hosting your presence in the cloud on their servers instead of you using your phone. In turn, you’re always on (though you can set yourself to ‘invisible’ should you wish to look offline).”
The new Skype for Windows Phone 8 also supports full video chat and makes full use of WP8’s increased hardware – dual-core 1.5GHz and the new GPU. What's more users can now "chat while talking, switch to speakerphone or the earpiece, minimize calls and even turn off the screen—it’s all there. Calls come in like ‘normal’ phone calls giving you the experience of Skype just being there.”
Apart from these, other features include the ability to see all the Skype contacts in the People Hub and starting a conversation with just a tap, as well as signing in with the Microsoft Account and IM with Messenger buddies. The developer also states that to “ensure the best quality experience, Skype for Windows Phone requires a minimum of 512MB of memory.”
Check out the video below.
