Following four months of testing of the Skype UWP app by Windows Insiders on Windows 10 Anniversary Update for desktops and tablets, Microsoft's Skype team is now releasing a preview of the new Skype Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app onto Windows 10 Mobile devices.
It all started last November with the separate Skype Messaging and Skype Video apps that were released as consumer previews of Skype integration for Windows 10.
After nearly four months of that integration being tested by Windows Insiders and lots of feedback, the Skype team then released the first version of the Skype UWP app preview.
Since then they have released a couple of updates to the app and then a few weeks ago, when Microsoft decided to pull the Messaging Everywhere integration in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update and integrate it with Skype, everyone has been anxiously awaiting that integration and update.
Well, this updated version of the Skype UWP app announced today is not going to have the SMS relay integration however, it is finally bringing the preview app to Windows 10 mobile handsets running the latest Windows Insiders builds for testing purposes.
Skype UWP Preview on Windows 10 Mobile (Via Microsoft)
According to Microsoft, the big addition to the mobile version of Skype with this UWP preview release is Group Calling which allows 25 people to participate in free group video calls.
The announcement article goes on to confirm that the new messaging features scheduled for integration after their removal from the Windows 10's Messaging Everywhere features will not arrive until "later this summer".
In addition to delivering the app preview to mobile devices, the PC version of the app is also being updated to add features that are already in other versions of the Skype app such as:
- Calling mobile and land lines
- Leaving and receiving voice mails
- Placing calls on hold
- Call Waiting
- Improved search
- File and Screen Sharing
- Translation for audio and video calls
Of course, app performance and the overall experience have been addressed as well.
I have been using the Skype UWP app preview on all of my Windows 10 Anniversary Update test systems and am looking forward to this update and getting this app on all my devices with release of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update in two weeks.
But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.
