This is sort of out of left field, but evidently Skype has discontinued and pulled the Skype Mobile software for Windows phones.

Why? They sort of answer in their FAQ, but to be honest it is more of a dodge:

Unfortunately, Skype Lite – a version of Skype for your mobile phone – and Skype for Windows Mobile are no longer available for download from our site.

We’ve chosen to withdraw Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile because we want to offer our new customers an improved mobile experience – much like the version that has proved so popular on the iPhone, and which is now available on Symbian phones. Our focus is on providing a rich user experience that allows you to enjoy free Skype-to-Skype and low cost calls as easily on the move as you do at your desktop.

We felt that Skype Lite and Skype for Windows Mobile were not offering the best possible Skype experience.

Fair enough and we actually agree. Skype for Windows Mobile was really a huge program (~10MB) that ate a lot of resources. Granted, it did offer nearly the "full Skype experience" but at processing cost.

For Skype/VOIP, we here at WMExperts have always found Fring a much better alternative.

Still, Skype is obviously begging the question with their response: are they going to, you know, release a new version that is much more awesome and built better? Or are they just pulling it and wiping their hands altogether of Windows phone?

For the time being, you can still download and use Skype here. Or if on your phone, just scan the MS Tag to the right to direct download (11.7MB!) 

[WMPhone.de via WMPoweruser]

Don't tell AT&T or the upcoming Windows Marketplace, but Skype 3.0 is out of beta and ready for download. [via downloadsquad] Version 3.0 added the ability to sent texts and files, and that's still a go with this official release, along with all the VOIP goodness you're used to.

Get your download on here, or download the CAB file directly to your phone here.

For you folks who can't get enough of Skype, the 3.0 beta has been released with a couple of extra goodies.

On top of all the usual Skype features and an improved user interface, this latest version also supports file transfers and will send SMS messages, though they will dip into your Skype credits.

Check out a video of the 3.0 beta, then download it and give it a whirl.

Via Pocket PC Thoughts

If you're looking for a cheaper (and contractless) plan and live in an AT&T coverage area with a solid 3G signal, this may be for you.

MVNO — that's Mobile Virtual Network Operator — Zer01 is piggybacking on AT&T's network and is using, get this, all Windows Mobile phones. That's because instead of doing true voice calls, all your talking on Zer01 will be done via VOIP — Voice Over Internet Protocol — al la Skype, Vonage and the like. So, like we said, you're going to need to be in a good AT&T 3G area for this to work. But the best part? No long-term service commitments. You can bring your own phone, or purchase one.

The unlimited voice and data plan costs $69.95, and you can pre-order now at Zero01Mobile.com.

Via Engadget

Fring, that all in one VOIP and chat app, got a major bump today to v3.34.

Added new features:

• Better fring addons (facebook, gmail, etc.)
• File Transfer (Skype, MSN, Yahoo..no AIM?)
• Typing indication
• Some nav changes
• Earpiece support for newer HTC devices

That last addon is something people who use VOIP services have been waiting for years. Anyways, it's a free service with a nifty Today Plugin, so if you use Skype, MSN, AIM, Yahoo, Twitter, etc. you may want to take it for a test run (or mobile site: m.fring.com)

And kudos to the fring developers who just got their official “Designed for Windows Mobile” certification.

One of my favorite (and free, ahem) IM solutions (Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo, VOIP) is Octro as I have always found it easy to use and streamlined for simple use--plus the plugin is nifty.

Getting updated to 2.0, the Octro team has added some cool new features including

• P2P Video Conferencing (!)
• Complete VOIP product. Access to PSTN (something which was discussed in a recent podcast)
• Buddy Icons

Obviously the Video conferencing is the big one here. We'll be giving it a spin here at WME headquarters this week and let you know our thoughts. Chime in with yours in comments.

Download it here

(Quick note: you need to have at least one Google Talk or Jabber account logged in before Octro will let you set the other stuff up! Download their manual from the above link to find instructions)

Skype's mobile client for Windows Mobile has been updated to 2.2, it now is compatible with Windows Mobile 6.1. GSM Arena put it through its paces and found it to work well over WiFi, over 3G not so much. Otherwise you're looking at a pretty full-featured client, with support for calls, Skype-out for calling regular numbers, Skype's text-chat, etc.

One downside that GSM Arena notes is that, unlike when making normal calls, the screen stays on during a call and is therefore likely to get “cheek taps” that might accidentally end your call. 'Course, that's not a problem for WMExperts' readers, because y'all know about the clever software that just turns your screen off with the push of an assigned button.

Download Skype 2.2 for Windows Mobile [via Gear Diary]