Skype is now officially available for Windows Phones.
Released in beta form approximately 2 months ago, the official version 1.0 of the app will be a welcome plus to shoppers buying up the latest Windows Phone, the Nokia Lumia 900. The app is available through the Windows Phone Marketplace for free.
Skype users can place voice and video calls to any other Skype user (worldwide) for free. The other Skype user can be using a Skype on a Windows, Android, or IOS device, it is not limited to just calling other Windows users. Calls to landlines or mobile phones without Skype incurred a small charge and require credits.
There are two issues with the new Skype app that are getting attention from critics. One is that Skype will not run in the background. A user cannot receive incoming calls unless the Skype happens is open and active when the incoming call comes in. The other issue is that Skype calls can be cut off midstream when another call comes in, or a notification alert pops up.
It’s expected these issues will be worked out in future versions.