Microsoft hurries out half-cooked Skype for Windows Phone 8

Microsoft has released a preview version of Skype for Windows Phone 8, two weeks after the operating system's launch.

The preview version of Skype for Windows Phone 8 appeared on the Windows Store early on Monday.

The preview is missing several key features Microsoft promised will be included in the full version, including integration with the OS' People Hub, which Microsoft claims is still a work in progress and might not function consistently on the preview build.

At the time of publishing Microsoft had not responded to V3's request for confirmation on when the full version of Skype for Windows Phone 8 will launch.

Microsoft released Windows Phone 8 at the start of October alongside its Windows 8 desktop OS.

Windows Phone 8 has garnered generally positive reactions since launch, though some market watchers questioned why Skype, a popular service owned by Microsoft, was not included at launch.

While primarily a consumer product, the addition of Skype will be of interest to business users due to its Lync integration features.

Microsoft has added to Lync's core instant and video messaging services for Windows Phone 8, including a new Lync-to-Skype service.

The service lets users sign into Skype using their Microsoft account, thus letting them use their Lync account for both work and personal messaging purposes.

The feature was listed by Microsoft as one of many key additions to the OS, designed to make Windows Phone 8 ideal for firms embracing a bring your own device strategy.

For a more in depth look at Windows Phone 8's best business features check out V3's top 10 break down.