Skype, the Global Internet Telephony Company, today launched Skype for Windows version 1.2 (v 1.2) with enhanced user benefits including a centralized Contacts list, which allows users access to their list of contacts from multiple devices from wherever they connect to Skype, and a new 'Getting Started Wizard,' which makes finding friends, importing contacts and making test calls even easier.

Skype is the leading VOIP-category product worldwide, with more than 31 million registered users growing by more than 160,000 new users per day. More than 6 billion minutes of Skype calls have been made by users around the world who have enjoyed the instantly downloadable, easy-to-use software.

"The latest Skype software for Windows builds on previous versions and takes Skype portability, ubiquity and quality to a new standard for modern communications,"; said Niklas Zennstrom, Skype CEO and co-founder. "We are grateful for the user input that helped shape this latest version, and applaud the Skype development team for the excellence."

Skype for Windows v 1.2 delivers several benefits requested by Skype users, including remote access to contacts from any Internet-connected PC or other Skype client in the world. In earlier versions of Skype, the contacts lists was stored locally; the new central contacts list expands user options and allow one to Skype with their existing contacts from multiple locations and platforms. The latest version also allows users to instantly import contacts from other desktop services and applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, MSN Messenger and Opera.

The latest version enhancements make downloading and using Skype even simpler for new users. The 'Getting Started Wizard' appears as soon as the client launches and acts as a one-click launch pad to Skype's frequently-used functions, such as importing contacts, searching Skype's global user directory, editing personal profiles to make it easier for friends and family to locate users, configuring privacy settings, making test calls and accessing online help. Skype has simultaneously launched a new 'Help' section on the company website to increase the ability of users to easily find information online and access email-based support.

Additional new benefits in Skype for Windows v1.2 include multiple file transfer, updated sounds, more customizable settings to personalize the Skype experience, and the superior voice quality Skype users have come to expect. Skype continues to provide chat, conference calling for up to 5 participants, cross-platform communications, and rich presence and personalization features.

From Skype's ChangeLog:

• feature: Central Contacts List
  
• feature: Voicemail
  
• feature: SkypeIn
  
• feature: Getting Started Wizard
  
• feature: Promote Add To Contacts
  
• feature: toolbar added to call tab
  
• feature: File Transfer - ability to select multiple files to send
  
• feature: Import/Export contactlist from/to vCard
  
• feature: API: possible to initiate conference
  
• feature: added exitsurvey when Skype is uninstalled
  
• feature: chat /alertson * /alertsoff