It’s here! The Lync 2013 mobile client has finally arrived first on Windows Phone 8! This morning (UK time) we finally saw it go live in the store, ready to finally bring Lync audio and video to your mobile.

I’ve prepared this complete run-through that demonstrates the massive improvements in functionality in this hugely anticipated client. Let’s get right into it and take a look, starting with logging in and getting setup.

Login and Setup

Like the 2010 client, I’m prompted for my credentials when I first launch the app and it’s got that really nice Office 2013 look going on.

Once the sign-in process completes, I’m greeted with a few steps to configure the app on first run.

This first step which is new in Lync 2013 is the option to choose whether we require WiFI for VoIP and video calls. You can also control this centrally for users via a Mobility policy on the server.

Next I configure simultaneous ringing and whether to turn push notifications on or off, and I’m ready to go.

My Info and Contact List

Once I’m all logged in, I’m greeted with my info where I can change my status and my note. I’ve also got buttons to quickly access the keypad to dial numbers, access my voicemail and to search my Lync and local phone address book.

I can then swipe right to view my Lync contact list.

From here, I can tap on a user and the familiar Lync 2013 peek menu pops out and allows me to choose whether I want to place an IM, make a voice or video call to the contact or view their contact card.

Conversations

By swiping right again, I can I can see all the current conversations I have/had in progress, included whether they are voice calls, IMs or meetings.

Meetings

The meeting join process in Lync 2013 is super simple. I can swipe across one screen again to view my calendar for the day (this wasn’t possible in Lync 2010 on Windows Phone) and tap an upcoming meeting. I can then simply tap the Join Meeting button and Lync 2013 joins me to the meeting, complete with voice capabilities.

I can also join a Lync meeting in this same easy way from the in-built Windows Phone 8 calendar.

Audio and Video Calls

Now the part you’ve been waiting for – voice and video. Lync 2013 now allows you to place voice and video calls over wifi or cellular data and you can easily escalate from an IM conversation to a video call.

If I tap on the screen, I get information about the call and buttons to mute myself, end the call and switch to IM.

If I tap the camera button, I get options to stop my camera, switch the camera to the back camera (very cool to show people in the meeting/call what you’re looking at) or end my video.

No more call via work! 🙂

Voicemail

Another new feature in Lync 2013 on Windows Phone is the ability to view my voicemail directly in the client. This is accesible from its own button at the My Info screen as I mentioned.

Settings and Search

Also from the My Info screen, I can access app settings like requiring WiFi for VoIP or Video, change the mobile number I am sim-ring’d on and other access features. A highly requested feature was the ability to specify separate credentials to access Exchange, and this is now available in Lync 2013.

As I mentioned before, I can now search both the Lync corporate address book and my local phone address book.

I’m so glad the WP8 client does this now, as it means I can use the Lync mobile client for all my calls on my phone.

Wrap Up

This new version really demonstrates how Microsoft are delivering a really robust, feature packed mobile capability for Lync 2013. The way it integrates into Windows Phone and allows me to use VoIP over wifi is a huge win and brings feature parity for mobile users. No more can people complain that Lync doesn’t have voice/video over wifi on mobile. 🙂

It’s available right now worldwide (as far as I know) and you can download it from the Store right now.