Internet telephony firm Skype today unveiled a public beta version of its latest application programming interface (API) designed to allow hardware devices and software applications to integrate with its internet telephony software.

The software, included in the latest version of Skype for Windows, is being made freely available for non-commercial APIs in compliance with the Skype software End User License Agreement.

"We offer the Skype API to expand quality voice and messaging communications around the globe," said Niklas Zennstrom, Skype chief executive and co-founder.

"With this API, Skype is now an open platform and we are keen to watch the world's innovative developer community integrate the Skype application to extend the potential of global communications."

A software development kit, which includes documentation, sample code and other information, is available here.