By Alexandra Burlacu | Oct 21, 2012 12:50 PM EDT
Windows 8 and Windows RT hit retail availability in one week, and already Microsoft has given few clues about how Skype will work on the platforms.
Ahead of the Oct. 26 launch of the new operating systems, however, clues have started to surface, indicating that a touch-friendly Metro version of the VoIP and messaging application is essentially ready.
Follow us
ZDNet's Ed Bott was the first one to notice the clues Microsoft scattered on its trail. The first clue is a picture of Microsoft's Surface tablet running what appears to be a Metro version of Skype. Meanwhile, a page describing Surface's software mentions the popular application.
"Snap two apps side-by-side onscreen and do more at once. Use Skype to chat with friends while blogging, or record seminars and workshops while taking notes in OneNote," reads the page in question.
Bott also noted that a cached version of the Surface page, which has since been taken down, mentions "stereo speakers and dual microphones tuned for Skype."
Microsoft's Surface page specifically describes the company's ARM-based tablet running Windows RT. Since Windows RT is the stripped-down version of Windows 8, offering a few pre-loaded programs such as Office but otherwise preventing users from installing desktop applications, Microsoft could not be referring to the desktop version of Skype. Windows RT would need a Metro version.
Microsoft's own-brand Surface tablet is set to ship the same day as Windows 8 and Windows RT, i.e. Oct. 26. If Skype is ready to run on Surface at launch, it could mean that a Metro version will be in the Windows Store, making the application available to any Windows 8 or Windows RT device.
A touch-friendly version of Skype is bound to come soon to Windows 8 and Windows RT, especially since Microsoft spent $8.5 billion on Skype. When it comes to an availability timeline, however, Microsoft has made no official announcement yet.
Ars Technica reached out to Microsoft for comments and additional information, but did not receive more details.
"We're really excited to be bringing Skype to Windows 8, as [Skype President] Tony Bates mentioned at the ATD [All Things D] conference. Unfortunately, that is all we have to share at this time," was the response.
© 2013 Mobile & Apps All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
White Nexus 4 To Launch On June 10 Rocking Latest Android 4.3 
New MacBook Air To Debut In June With Intel's New Haswell Processor? 
Next Microsoft Xbox To Sport Dashboard UI Update And Tile Changes 
Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Coming Soon For HTC One; Google Edition of HTC One On The Way 
Yahoo Is Eyeing Tumblr 
Intellicam App Brings First Hands-Free Camera Feature To Windows Phone 8 
