Paul Thurrott brings us plenty of good (and finally more) news of Skype coming to the Windows Phone, in any form. Via his SuperSite Blog, Thurrott gives us a little insight on why Skype on Windows Phone was never released by the end of 2011 as expected, what Microsoft is planning in the end with Skype on Windows Phone, and how a Skype application would be the only thing coming.
Thurrott ‘now confirms’ that the Skype application for Windows Phone will release within the first half of 2012. He brings this confirmation from Microsoft documentation which he also used to acquire some other recent information such as Microsoft’s marketing and LTE plans for Windows Phone. Skype did make a small appearance at CES 2012, Thurrott mentions a video interview where Skype’s vice president of products, Rick Osterloh, made a simple statement that they are working on a product that will release on the Windows Phone soon.
Paul Thurrott also brings some clear information on why the Skype application, or anything of the like, was never released ‘as promised’ by the end of 2011. Thurrott has no information on Microsoft making such a promise. He does mention to readers that the documentation he is getting the present information from states that Microsoft had always had the intention of releasing anything Skype related before mid-year 2012, and not before the end of 2011 as many expected and came to believe. However, Thurrott does side with the masses and doesn’t know why the Skype product has been delayed past the end of 2011, regardless he can now confirm Microsoft’s plan at the moment is to tie in the Windows Phone Skype release with some heavy artillery marketing.
Paul Thurrott closes off the very informative Skype post with the following marketing plans for Microsoft with Skype on Windows Phone (along with other applications):
The Skype availability on Windows Phone won’t just stop at a simple application. Initially (and what we all expect to release soon), a Skype application will be what is released, but word is going around the Internet presently that full Skype integration will come with the Apollo update later this year. Paul Thurrott made no mention of such rumors, or any information within his documents, pertaining to Skype integration in the future.
As we grow more and more into the 2012 year, we are starting to see the enormous Windows Phone marketing plans by Microsoft, partners and manufacturers unfold. There is definitely a significant effort already evident with the marketing of the this year compared to last year.