Skype For Windows Phone Beta Arrives At Last
Nokia wove a convincing story this morning of success for the still-young and well-behind-the-competition Windows Phone platform, but it was one brief product mention that could be the best augur of future success: The arrival of Skype for Windows Phone–in beta form, at least.
Microsoft acquired Skype last year and though the marriage is not 100% uncontested, the two companies are now working as one to deliver a unique Skype experience to the Windows Phone platform. Skype for Windows Phone Beta, which you can download today, looks unlike any version of Skype you’ve ever see before.
The interface still has its signature sky blue accents, but the button styles and feature organization is all Metro. Metro is the new cubist design style that’s seeping into all of Microsoft’s platforms, including Windows 8, Windows Phone and Xbox Live. Take the contacts list, for example, which is now a letter grid. The app appears to be fully integrated with all of Windows Phone’s metaphors, including slide away panes to switch between, say, a profile, and chat.
