The Big Blog

Skype for Windows Phone Has Arrived

Following the recent availability of the Skype for Windows Phone Beta app announced at Mobile World Congress, today we are releasing an official version of the Skype for Windows Phone app, which is now available in the Windows Phone Marketplace. You can also get the app directly from your Windows Phone.*

With Skype on your Windows Phone, you can join the thriving community of 200 million people using Skype every month across almost any screen: smartphones & tablets (running Android, iOS, and Symbian), computers & laptops (Mac, Windows) and connected TVs.

Check out this video to see how the app works:

Available for use on 4G, 3G and WiFi** networks, Skype for Windows Phone helps you connect with friends and family instantly with free voice and video calls*** everywhere you go. Make affordable calls to landlines and mobiles using Skype Credit, create and hold one-to-one and group chats (even while in the middle of a call), and update your profile and account information, among others features.

Since releasing the initial beta app in February, we have received very positive and helpful feedback that has allowed us to improve the app. Additionally, we have added some new features including video calling in portrait mode and friend management capabilities including invite, accept invitations, block, and unblock contacts.

Skype for Windows Phone is also now available in 18 languages: English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, European Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, and Traditional Chinese. You can download Skype for Windows Phone free of charge**** directly from your Windows Phone, or by simply scanning the QR code or the Microsoft Tag below. You will need to have a smartphone running Windows Phone 7.5 ("Mango") or above. You can check what version of Windows Phone your phone is running from Settings > About.

We have also tested and certified the following Windows Phone to help ensure the best performance:

• Nokia Lumia 710
• Nokia Lumia 800
• Nokia Lumia 900
• HTC Titan
• HTC Radar
• Samsung Focus S
• Samsung Focus Flash

This is the first of many releases to come for Windows Phone, so stay tuned for even more capabilities in the future. We believe in the great potential of the Windows Phone platform and will continue to invest over time to enable experiences unmatched by any other app in the market.

Please continue to share your thoughts and questions via our Skype Support Network for Skype for Windows Phone or tweet to us at @Skype. And as always, thanks for using Skype.

* It may take up to 48 hrs for the app to propagate in all local Windows Phone Marketplaces.
** Consumers 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 5.0 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 device must be equipped with at least one camera to utilize video calling.
**** The Skype for Windows Phone 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.

Share your photos and presentations with friends and colleagues with Group Screen Sharing

We're releasing an updated version of Skype for Windows (version 5.8) today with a few improvements we want to tell you about. Download the latest version of Skype for Windows and start Group Screen Sharing. Share photos with a group of friends and family or share your screen to display a presentation with up to 10 people. Group Screen Sharing is available with Skype Premium, which also includes Group video calling and live chat customer support.

Skype for Windows users can stay better connected with the ability to check their Facebook Newsfeeds, instant messages and video call their Facebook friends with Skype for Windows Beta - all from within Skype. Even your Facebook friends who are not on Skype can still pick up a Skype instant message or video call from within Facebook.

Please download the updated version of Skype. Also, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave us feedback by visiting our Support Network.

Bring Your Social Network To Life

Back in July, Facebook video calling powered by Skype was launched. Today we are thrilled to announce our partnership with Facebook has reached yet another milestone with the launch of Skype 5.4 Beta for Mac and Skype 5.7 Beta for Windows allowing you to conduct a Facebook-to-Facebook call from within Skype. This new development in the Skype-Facebook partnership is the latest example of how Skype is removing communication barriers and making it easier to connect with friends, family and business colleagues. Our approach to social is about personal connections with people. We are on a mission to connect over one billion people and our continued partnership with Facebook brings us one step closer to this goal.

Initiating a Facebook-to-Facebook call from within Skype is quite easy; all you need to do is connect your Skype and Facebook accounts. Then, select a Facebook friend and hit the video call button in Skype- your friend simply picks up the call from Facebook. This new feature lets you maintain social connections with your Facebook friends and compliments previously announced features such as being able to see when your Facebook friends are online, read their status updates and IM them all from Skype.

Besides this great new Facebook feature, additional new features added to Skype 5.4 Beta for Mac and Skype 5.7 Beta for Windows including video rendering giving a smoother video experience for Mac users and group screen sharing for Windows users with a Premium subscription (group screen sharing is currently available for Mac users). Users who are chatting one-on-one will also be able to screen share with live video streaming.

We're excited about these new enhancements and we would love for you to download the latest version of Skype so you can bring your social network to life with Skype. If you would like to discuss this new release or have any questions, please feel free to visit our new Skype Support Network.

Skype 5.5 for Windows Update

We are pleased to announce that Skype 5.5 for Windows is now available for download.

Based on user feedback, we have made some updates from the beta version of Skype 5.5 for Windows, which launched in June, and recommend that you update now.

The Skype 5.5 for Windows update comes with a deeper Facebook integration. Without having to leave Skype, you can check out when your Facebook friends are online and instant message with them from the new Facebook Contacts Tab (located in between the Skype and Recent Contacts tabs). You can also view and update your Facebook status and even view comments or 'like' posts from your Facebook Wall, directly from Skype Home.

We have also made a number of updates to make your Skype calls on Windows even better. We've improved the controls for video and group video calls for Windows, enhanced video call reliability and made several design changes to improve your overall Skype experience.

Plus for all you emoticon fanatics, the Skype emoticons have received an update, with smoother animations that stand out. We are also introducing a few new Skype emoticons to use when words fail you.

Download Skype 5.5 for Windows now. Hit us up on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and let us know which emoticon is your favorite. You can also leave us feedback on the Skype 5.5 for Windows update below in the comments section.

We hope you enjoy the new Skype for Windows experience.

Skype Gets More Social with Deeper Facebook Integration

We are excited to announce the new Skype 5.5 Beta version for Windows, which enhances the user experience and features new updates to Skype based on user feedback. Skype is also continuing to bring people together whenever they are apart by introducing an easier way to connect with family and friends on Facebook. You can now instant message your Facebook friends directly from Skype, helping you stay connected with the people that matter the most to you. Simply use the new Facebook contacts tab within Skype to see when a Facebook friend you want to chat with is online and then start an IM conversation right from within.

The new Skype for Windows 5.5 Beta includes the following features:

• Facebook Instant Messaging - chat with your Facebook friends directly from Skype.


• Facebook Contacts Tab - a new tab within Skype dedicated to your Facebook contacts list.


• 'Like' and even comment on a Facebook status - You can also use the Facebook News Feed within Skype to easily "like" a friend's status or comment on it without logging into Facebook.


• New Call Control Toolbar - featuring redesigned graphic icons.


• Improvements to the saving of a phone number in the "Call Phones" section.


• Visual improvements to placing a call on hold.

Download Skype 5.5, the new Windows Beta and start chatting with your Facebook friends. Tell us what you think using the Skype > Provide Skype Feedback menu item and stay tuned as we will soon roll out the final version.

New improved Facebook view in Skype for Windows

We’ve just rolled out an update to the Facebook tab in Skype for Windows, which introduces a brand new look.

The Facebook tab brings your news feed in to Skype, and lets you

• see, comment on and Like your friends’ posts
• see your friends’ check-ins to Facebook Places
• call your friends on their mobile or landline directly from the news feed – if they’re also using the Facebook tab, you’ll be able to make a free Skype-to-Skype voice or video call

The new interface is faster than before, and lets you see more content in the same amount of screen space.

If you don’t see the Facebook tab in Skype, make sure you’ve downloaded the latest version of Skype, which includes Facebook as well as group video calling and more.