The Big Blog

GroupMe brings free private and group messaging to Windows Phone

Our colleagues at GroupMe today announced a completely revamped version of the app for Windows Phone. GroupMe is a group messaging service that can be used on any phone allowing users to stay in touch with the important people in their lives.

Now GroupMe offers Windows Phone users additional features with the latest version of the app, including the ability to pin groups to the start screen. Developed in close collaboration with Microsoft, users will find it easier than ever to use GroupMe from their Windows Phone.

Check below for some tips to fully enjoy the new version of the GroupMe app for Windows Phone and learn more about GroupMe:

• Pin groups to start: Pin any of your groups to start for quick and easy access. From the main panorama, press and hold on any chat, and then click "pin to start" from the context menu. A secondary tile will be created for that group with its own avatar and live tile notifications.

• Create your first group for your family, friends, or coworkers, and enjoy free group messaging that will work on all their phones. Need ideas? Start with one of the suggested groups.

• Add contacts to your group right from your address book by clicking the address book icon on the new group screen. No need to remember anyone's phone number.

• Share pictures to your group from your camera or photo gallery.

• Tap any of your contacts' avatars to have private one-on-one conversations, but only if they also have the GroupMe app installed.

• Create a group with any of the featured brand partners to receive their updates and possibly win prizes.

• Set your own avatar by clicking settings from the main panorama app bar and swiping over to the profile pivot.

• Have a bad data connection? Switch to SMS-mode from the settings screen and receive messages via normal text messaging.

It's available for free in the Windows Marketplace. Download it here on your Windows Phone to start creating groups, send direct messages, share photos, and check out featured groups.

Let us know what you think! And if you have questions about the service, please reach out to support@groupme.com.

Make sure you get the most out of the Skype for Windows Phone Beta app!

Thanks to everyone for the warm reception you gave the new Skype for Windows Phone Beta app*. Since it first became available yesterday, many of you have downloaded it to test and have shared your first impressions with us.

We wanted to take this opportunity to share a few tips to ensure you get the best performance from the new app. First, check the certified devices list to make sure your Windows Phone is supported. Below are a few tips and tricks to enjoy the best experience when connecting with your friends, family and colleagues:

• Pin Skype to start: make Skype quick and easy to launch. From the Windows Phone start screen, swipe to the application list, locate Skype, and press and hold. Select pin to start.

• Windows Phone Metro User Interface: delivers a clean and consistent experience on all Windows Phone 7.5 devices, making it simple and easy to navigate through the applications and get to the Skype tile to get started.

• Contacts: once logged into Skype, you will notice that you can quickly find your contacts. Just tap a letter to bring up the jump list and select the contact you want to connect with. If you want more information about the contact, just swipe to the side of the panorama display to see the contact's full profile page.

• Make free audio and video calls** to your Skype contacts over 3G and 4G or WiFi***. Please make sure, when video calling, to use the landscape mode so you can fully enjoy the quality and full screen display.

• Remember you can send and receive instant messages during a call, so you won't miss any messages while talking. Messages will pop up directly and you can answer them by swiping to the next screen. Returning to the initial screen is as easy as swiping back again.

• Start a group chat: In addition to sending instant messages to a single person, you can also set up chats for a group of people. This can be very useful to share ideas with a group of co-workers while on the go, or to chat about the last party you went to with your friends. From the app bar on the recent messages list, press the + and start adding contacts.

• All the Skype emoticons you know and love can be found in Skype for Windows Phone Beta. Use them to liven up your messages and chats.

• Keep your profile updated: share more information on what you are doing, where you are and how you feel by changing your profile picture and mood message directly from the app. You can also check all your relevant Skype account information on the Profile tab.

• Finally, make affordable calls to landlines and mobiles to those contacts that are not on Skype using Skype Credit. Simply select the dialpad from the main app bar.

The Skype for Windows Phone Beta marks the beginning of a new experience that will improve in the future. Your feedback is critical for us to continue our development work to make sure you can experience all the Skype potential on your Windows Phone.

If you haven't yet tried the Skype for Windows Phone Beta we encourage you to download it by clicking here directly from your Windows Phone or PC.

Follow us on Twitter @Skype and look for #SkypeMWC12 hashtag for more information on the Skype for Windows Phone Beta.

*The beta version of the Skype for Windows Phone app will have English language support only.
**The device must be equipped with at least one camera to utilize video calling.
*** Users can place calls with their Windows Phone over a cellular data connection or WiFi network. Additional data charges may apply. To get the best quality video calling, Skype recommends a strong WiFi connection. Skype-to-Skype calling on Windows Phone is compatible with Skype for Windows 4.2 and above, Skype for Mac OS X 2.8 and above, Skype for Linux, Skype for iOS 3.0 and above, Skype for Android 2.0 and above, and Skype running on TVs.
**** The Skype for Windows Phone Beta app is free. If you use your mobile data connection to download the Skype app, operator charges may apply, so we recommend an unlimited data plan.

Skype brings voice and video calling to Windows Phone users around the globe

Many of you have been waiting for this. And today we are excited to announce our new Skype for Windows Phone Beta app. This now makes Skype available on almost all of the leading mobile smartphone operating systems. The gold version of the app will be available in April.

Starting today, download the beta version directly from your Windows Phone or at the Marketplace from your computer to test drive Skype for Windows Phone and share your feedback with us.

Skype for Windows Phone Beta* supports the most important Skype features you've come to know and love. And you will be especially thrilled by the clean and simple Skype experience that the Metro user interface delivers on your Windows Phone. It has never before been so easy to connect with the people you care about most.

Check out this video to see how the app works.

With Skype for Windows Phone Beta you can make free audio and video calls** to your Skype contacts over 3G and 4G or WiFi***, make affordable calls to landlines and mobiles using Skype Credit, create and hold one-to-one and group chats, and update your profile and account information, among others features.

This is only the beginning for Skype for Windows Phone...it's just going to get better and better. We see incredible potential to include Skype capabilities in Windows Phone in order to enable a great experience for you.

You can download the beta version of the Skype for Windows Phone app for free**** by clicking here directly from your Windows Phone, or simply scanning the QR code below. You will need to have a smartphone running Windows Phone 7.5. You can check what version of Windows Phone your phone is running at Settings > About.

We have already tested and certified the following devices for the best performance of Skype for Windows Phone:

• Nokia Lumia 710
• Nokia Lumia 800
• HTC Titan
• HTC Radar
• Samsung Focus S
• Samsung Focus Flash

We love hearing your thoughts and questions, so please feel free to visit our Skype Support Network or tweet your Skype for Windows Phone questions to @Skype. Also, you can join us on Twitter by following the #SkypeMWC hashtag where we will be sharing Windows Phone tips throughout the week.

*The beta version of the Skype for Windows Phone app will have English language support only.
**The device must be equipped with at least one camera to utilize video calling.
*** Users can place calls with their Windows Phone over a cellular data connection or WiFi network. Additional data charges may apply. To get the best quality video calling, Skype recommends a strong WiFi connection. Skype-to-Skype calling on Windows Phone is compatible with Skype for Windows 4.2 and above, Skype for Mac OS X 2.8 and above, Skype for Linux, Skype for iOS 3.0 and above, Skype for Android 2.0 and above, and Skype running on TVs.
**** The Skype for Windows Phone Beta app is free. If you use your mobile data connection to download the Skype app, operator charges may apply, so we recommend an unlimited data plan.

Free Skype WiFi in Spain to celebrate Mobile World Congress

Traveling to Mobile World Congress or living in Spain? We have great news for you! During this year's Mobile World Congress we're giving everyone in Spain 2 hours of free access with Skype WiFi at more than 24,000 supported wireless hotspots available in the country - including airports, café's and hotels. From February 26th thru March 1st 2012, if you are in Spain, you can enjoy up to 2 hours of free WiFi connection (4x30min sessions).

With free access to Skype WiFi you can surf the web, visit your favorite social networks, check out your email and make free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls* in bars and restaurants, hotels, public transport and airports... Wherever there is a Skype WiFi compatible third party WiFi network.

It's really easy to use. You only have to make sure you have the latest version of Skype installed on your Windows or Mac device, or the Skype WiFi app on your iOS device**. Just connect to the 'Skype WiFi' hotspot on your device's WiFi settings, and follow the instructions.

Find out more about Skype WiFi at http://www.skype.com/intl/en/features/allfeatures/skype-wifi

At Skype we always want to know what you think of our products. So we encourage you tell us about your experience with Skype WiFi on Twitter using the hashtag #freeskypewifi.

*Skype to Skype calling is free, calls to landlines or mobiles cost just a little using Skype Credit or a Skype Subscription. Web browsing is also available.
**iOS devices include iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad running iOS 4.1 or newer.

Free WiFi in Spain for Mobile World Congress

To celebrate Mobile World Congress, we’re giving away free WiFi through Skype Access, the single-click Internet access feature, across Spain for the duration of the conference.

With Skype Access you can pay for WiFi access per minute using Skype Credit. All you need is a connection to a Skype Access compatible hotspot and the latest version of Skype for Mac or Windows.

From 0001 CET on the 14th February 2011 to 2359 CET on the 18th February 2011, Skype Access will be free to use for up to 60 minutes, so you can surf the web, send email and make free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls at Skype Access-enabled WiFi hotspots in cafés, hotels and airports across Spain.

We'll also be providing free WiFi through Skype Access at our stand at Mobile World Congress. Pay us a visit in the App Planet, Hall 7 Stand 7D49.

Today also marks the launch of our partner program for WiFi hotspot operators. Leading WiFi hotspot providers around the globe including BT Openzone, Fon, Tomizone and others have signed on to provide Internet connectivity through Skype Access. Through the Skype Access partnership program, WiFi operators are able to generate additional revenues from otherwise untapped users who prefer pay-as-you-go models to traditional vouchers.

Skype Access is made available through WiFi operators around the world. For a complete list of compatible networks, visit our Support site.