Today Skype released version 2.1 of its Windows Phone 8 application, bringing with it a number of performance enhancements, and the disablement of People Hub integration.
According to Microsoft, that specific integration was causing “issues with device stability.” Skype states that is working with the Windows Phone team to resolve the issue.
The update itself contains a number of small fixes and upgrades that should bring quality of life improvements to users of the application:
- Updated chat keyboard with improved autocomplete/autocorrect is now available.
- Buddies from Windows Live Messenger are labeled in the People list.
- Added option to enable toast notifications for Windows Live Messenger buddies.
- People Hub integration temporarily disabled
Also, Microsoft claims that the application now sports “improved call reliability,” chats that will no longer be misordered, and the “reliability of presence and chat and call notifications” has been drastically improved when Skype itself is closed.
It’s important to keep in mind how much Microsoft paid for Skype – north of $8 billion – and the fact that the investment must return to the company more than was put into the deal for it to be considered a success. That in mind, we have seen work by the company to create Skype experiences for Windows 8 and Windows phone 8 that are top of the heap – Microsoft wants to ensure that using Skype on its platforms sings.
This is not to say that all is done, and Skype’s apps for the two new Windows platforms are complete and up to snuff. Frankly, work remains.
If you are a Windows Phone 8 user and want the new preview, head here.
Top Image Credit: Amit Chattopadhyay
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