The latest preview version of Skype for Windows Phone 8 has arrived, following the company's announcement last week it would shutter its Messenger IM service and move users to the Skype platform.
The voice-over-IP service for Windows 8 was launched two weeks ago. New features on the Window Phone 8 preview application include Skype contacts within the People Hub, and the ability to receive Skype calls and message while not within the app. Users must be within the app to receive voice calls, otherwise only audio of the call will be available.
Users will still be able to access Messenger until the service is retired in the first quarter of next year.
Microsoft currently has 100 million Messenger users, which will be merged into Skype’s user base of around 280 million, according to The Next Web.
Microsoft acquired Skype one year ago for $US8.5 billion. It since announced Skype would be integrated into all of its products, and two weeks ago unveiled Skype 6.0 for both Windows and Mac.
-1.jpg&w=100&c=1&s=0)
.png&w=100&c=1&s=0)
