Skype integration with Windows Phone 8 seen in screenshots

Computerworld - The coming Windows Phone 8, dubbed Apollo, will integrate Skype voice and video calling, according to screenshots obtained by the NokiaInnovation.com Web site.

The screenshots, which the Website says it obtained from an anonymous source, also provide insights on a coming user interface for a Windows 8 camera as well as a data usage monitoring tool. The Nokia Drive 3.0 traffic app is also depicted in another screenshot, although that feature is likely to become an update to existing Windows Phone 7.5, giving users updated traffic reports and re-routing information.

Microsoft and Nokia have not confirmed any of the details depicted in the screenshots, but developers could learn more at the Windows Phone Developers Summit in San Francisco starting June 20.

The pressure is on Microsoft to expand its young phone OS and its influence with app developers. The Windows Phone event next week is one week before the Google I/O conference, where Android developers hope to learn more about Android 5.0, dubbed Jelly Bean. Bloggers have theorized that some Android developers might arrive early to see how they can develop apps for Windows Phone as well.

The screenshot of the data monitoring tool, allegedly in Windows Phone 8, shows some similarities to data monitoring tools available in Android 4.0, known as Ice Cream Sandwich.

The interface for the WP 8 camera is minimalist, based on the screenshot, with some functions possibly out of view. Touch controls include a possible zoom slider bar, and three dots that when touched could open other functions.

Matt Hamblen covers mobile and wireless, smartphones and other handhelds, and wireless networking for Computerworld. Follow Matt on Twitter at @matthamblen or subscribe to Matt's RSS feed. His email address is mhamblen@computerworld.com.

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