Skype (for Windows 8)

If you want to tap into the world?s largest user base of VoIP and video-calling, Skype is the way to go. And there?s a reason for its dominance: It affords the best voice and image quality outside of the Apple-device-only FaceTime. Skype works not only on Apple devices and Windows 8, but pretty much every other phone, tablet, and PC operating system you can think of. This new Windows 8 client for the peer-to-peer calling service is both functional and well designed, fitting the new app design precepts embraced by the OS. But it falls short of other editions of Skype?in particular the Windows Desktop Skype.

In particular, file sending, screen-sharing, and multiparty calling are still missing. But Skype for Windows 8 thankfully doesn't suffer from the Windows Phone 7 version?s inability to run in the background (this has been fixed in Windows Phone 8). Of course, if you?re running Windows 8 and need multiparty calling, you can simply install the excellent Windows desktop version of Skype (Free, 4.5 stars). This new-style app, however, offers a touch-friendly interface and will be Surface and Windows RT users? only choice. For one-on-one video-calling, instant messaging, and voice-over-IP calls, it?s mostly a pleasure to use.

Setup/Signup
As with every modern Windows 8 app, you acquire and install Skype from the Windows Store. This means updates are handled by the Store, but it also means you can?t install it from a disc or USB stick if you have no internet connection. After the quick installation, you click its large familiar-logoed tile on the Start screen to get going. On first run, the app asked permission to use my webcam and microphone, and then to let it run in the background. Then of course, I had to sign in to my Skype account.

If you don?t have a Skype account yet, you can use the Microsoft Account you used to sign into the Windows 8 PC, and if you do, you can merge the two accounts, which I did. This adds the large number of Windows Messenger users into the fold of potential conversation partners. One limitation in this version of Skype is that it doesn?t let someone else easily sign into Skype for a quick call on your machine. The friend could create and sign into a separate Microsoft account on the Windows 8 PC, but that?s far less simple than the guest sign-in available in most other Skype clients.

Interface and Using
Skype for Windows 8 sports the full-screen, touch-appropriate interface conventions you find in all good new-style Windows 8 apps. You?ll start out in the Skype Home screen, which is divided into three main zones?recent, favorites, and people. The first two are pretty obvious, displaying overviews of your recent conversations and large tiles for your favorite contacts. Touching or clicking the People section head opens a grid of small tiles for all your contacts. Unfortunately, you have to scroll through to find a particular one: at this stage, Skype for Windows 8 doesn?t support the Search charm, which for most apps lets you search whatever is searchable in the running app. Further, you can?t sort contacts into groups such as ?saved phone numbers? or create custom groups of contacts. But it is easy enough to see who?s online and who?s a Favorite.???

Skype does go further than many others with its Windows 8 integration by inserting itself into the People app, meaning you can start conversations?either IM, voice, or video?from within this main contacts hub of the OS. As with other well-behaved Windows 8 app, swiping up from the bottom of the screen or right clicking the mouse brings up and app bar of choices across the bottom of the screen. In Skype?s case, you get buttons for adding a contact and adding a phone number. When you?re on a contact?s profile page, the app bar lets you favorite her or him, view the profile in People, or delete them.

Skype for Window 8 also lets you make calls to landlines and cell phones if you have some Skype credit in your account. Rates are very reasonable, starting at 2.3 cents a minute. An unlimited US and Canada subscription costs $2.99 a month, and unlimited worldwide calling costs $13.99 a month. And those regular phones can call your Skype account if you have an ?Online number,? which costs $18 for three months or $60 a year.

To start making a phone call, you click the telephone receiver button next to the Skype logo on the home page, which presents a large dial keypad, along with a summary of your account balance and recent calls. The call quality at this point is very nearly landline quality, and in most cases better than cell service.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/gv7B-0LhMDg/0,2817,2411630,00.asp

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