Skype beta app now available for Windows Phone

by wp7geek on 27th February, 2012

The long awaited Skype app is finally available in the Windows marketplace. Since this app is in beta don't expect all the bells and whistles. You can however give it try to get a taste of the app. Later on Skype would be deep integrated into Windows Phone and will not run as an app. This is expected with the Apollo (Windows Phone 8) release.

Skype features currently available in the beta

Skype to Skype audio calling
Skype to Skype video calling
Calling landlines and mobiles
One-to-one and group instant Messaging
Profile and account views
Mood message and profile picture updates from your buddies
Metro user interface

Skype features not included in the beta

The most critical feature not included is the ability to receive messages or calls when Skype is not opened. It means even though I would be signed in on Skype, unless the application is opened in front of my screen I wont get any messages or calls. I have tried and tested this, what happens is if someone is calling you, the bell just rings and you don't get any notification or incoming calls. At this same time when you open the app, the call comes through. SO basically you can only use the beta to make calls since if the calls don't come in when the app is not open, they will never come in, as you cannot keep the app opened in the foreground always.

For the video calling function if your phone does not have a front facing camera, it starts the rear camera. I have tested this on the Lumia 800.

Category	Description	Workaround
Calling	It is not possible to receive calls when Skype is not in foreground	None available
Calling	Video calling works only in landscape mode	None available
Calling	There is no call in progress indicator	If you navigate to another place in the Skype app, return to the recent pivot, find the person with which you're currently talking to, open that conversation, and swipe to the live call pivot.
Calling	Changing the flag/country in the dialpad is not possible.	Manually enter the full international phone number (for example +372... or 00372...) to make a Skype call to mobile phones and landlines.
Calling	It is not yet possible to participate on conference calls	None available
Calling	Skype will crash when terminating an an outgoing call before the remote party answers	None available.
Calling	Skype may crash when navigating to a contact immediately after completing a video call to that contact.	None available.
Contacts	It is not yet possible to add new contacts	You may add new contacts from your Skype account on a different device.
Contacts	It is not yet possible to remove contacts from contact list	You may remove contacts from your Skype account on a different device.
Contacts	It is not yet possible to block contacts or view blocked contacts	You may block and view blocked contacts from your Skype account on a different device.
Feedback form	Online feedback form button does not work	In the general pivot under Settings, visit the Skype community forum to leave feedback and get help.
IM	It is not possible to receive IM's when Skype is not in foreground	None available
Localization	The application is available in English only	None available
Presence	It is not possible to set your Presence currently. While you are logged into Skype for Windows Phone, your presence is automatically set to "online" while the app is in the foreground.	None available
Voice Messages	It is not possible to retrieve Voice Messages directly from the phone	You may retrieve voice messages from your Skype account on a different device.