Team Skype has recently rolled out a new version of its popular application for desktops with several updates. This new version was in Preview for some time but on October 31, Microsoft brought it out of Preview, as a full-fledged version of Skype for desktops.
As per the official announcement,
“The Skype desktop app—now out of preview and rolling out today—brings all these exciting new improvements and features to your desktop. It’s all built on brand-new technology that scales to billions of people on a reliable platform. Starting today, you can use the same Skype across all your devices. The new desktop version of Skype lets you connect naturally, with tools and features that can transform everyday conversations.”
Source: Skype.com
Some of the unique features added to the new Skype for desktop include –
- Users can now customize the theme and color of their Skype application and conversations.
- Users can now change the view from standard to compact; collapse the chat list; pin important groups and people on top; and sort the contact list by time, unread, or status.
- Every modern application in today’s world is cloud-based; so is Skype now. That makes it easier to share the content like photos, files, and videos etc.
- The new version allows sending up to 300 MB data by just simply dragging and dropping.
- This latest version of Skype desktop app is cross-platform and gives you the ability to use same Skype login at multiple devices – desktop, mobile, Xbox, smart speakers etc.
The Microsoft’s Skype team claims that the new tool makes you more productive with many amazing added functionalities, such as –
- Now, you can send and receive Skype messages in real-time, answer calls directly from your PC, and share your screen to present your latest ideas to colleagues.
- Users can now click on the bell icon to access a notification panel. “From this central place, you’ll see reactions to your messages, @mentions in group conversations, or if someone quoted you. Jump to the conversation by clicking the message in the notification panel.”
- All the media shared with you is now stored in a Gallery from where you can easily access the links, photos, videos etc. even if they are 2-3 weeks old.
- Skype is planning to add add-ins, currently available for Skype insiders only. “From sending a Giphy to scheduling an event, to pulling up the latest in the news—our add-ins help you get more done within Skype.”
Skype is now equipped with more functionality to let the users keep in touch with their colleagues, family, and friends.
- The new Reactions feature allows you to show how you are feeling by reacting via a click on Reaction icon, even in a video call.
- With the @mentions feature, you can mention a particular person in a group conversation.
Well, Skype has become a lot smarter now and seems quite helpful to all the users. To check whether it fulfills your need or not, you can download the new version of Skype for desktop app from Skype.com. For users who are using Skype for Mac, Windows 10 November Update (2016) and lower, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Linux the update will be delivered automatically if automatic update is on.