Viber Out: now available for Lumia smartphones

Essential update allows you to call mobile phones and landlines straight from the popular chat app.

It’s already one of the most-used messaging apps on the Windows Phone platform, but the Viber 4.1 update for Nokia Lumia devices running Windows Phone 8 adds a raft of new features to widen your chatting potential.

In our eyes, the most powerful upgrade is ‘Viber Out’, which permits you to call mobile and landline numbers at rates usually a lot lower than what your network operator would charge.

As long as you’re connected to a 3G or WiFi network, you’ll be able to place calls.

You will need up-front credit to make Viber Out calls, however. Click here to get an idea of the prices. You can also check call costs within Viber itself by going to Settings > Viber Out > Get Rates.

Viber to Viber calls remain free.

In addition to cheaper calling, Viber has also added the ability to send video messages, send multiple photos at the same time and now supports hands-free Bluetooth connectivity.

In all, a quick update that could make a world of difference to your chatting world.