NWindows Phone 8 users will now have to consider one more aspect before making Skype video calls; they will have to ensure they look good, appearance wise. The latest Skype version 2.4 update supports 720p video calling. The update is a first from Skype, and aimed at mobile users. The update will also combine Skype contacts with Windows Phone 8 People Hub for one-tap video calls.
“In this release, we focused on increasing quality & reliability while also adding new capabilities based on customer feedback,” the blog read.
Lower-end devices will support VGA video while the higher-end phones like Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) Lumia 920, HTC Corp (TPE:2498) 8X, and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930) Ativ S etc will support upto 720p HD video, Skype told in the blog today. The new update will allow the app to automatically adjust video quality, according to the user’s internet speed. The blog also revealed that video callers have the option to jump between portrait and landscape mode and can use the front or rear camera for video chats. In addition, a user can choose between different user accounts for making calls.
There were constant complains from the users about the quality and reliability of the app, and users also faced trouble receiving the notifications when the app was closed. The blog revealed that these issues were fixed with the latest update.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) acquired Skype in May 2011 for $8.5 billion. Since it’s a Microsoft property it will be no surprise if the video calling software is improved initially for Microsoft’s own smartphone platform before it is passed on to others including iOS, Android or other mobile operating systems. In a survey conducted in late 2012 by Analysys Mason, more than 45 percent of smartphone owners now use some over-the-top messaging app, in addition to the tradition SMS. Also, 20 percent users use VoIP app. As per the survey, Skype leads the VoIP market, with 79 percent of VoIP app users/16 percent of all respondents embracing the service.
The latest update from Skype comes almost two weeks after Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) promised a similar update for Outlook.com.
There are still a few pending issues that Skype’s development team need to look at before coming out with a final version, including picture-in-picture not working during all video calls. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) have not yet revealed when the final version of the app will be available, but the preview of the improved app can now be downloaded from Windows Phone Store.
