Microsoft has toady announced fresh updates for Skype’s Android and iOS apps. And while there’s obvious change in designs, there are a lot of new, important additions like enhanced search, easier navigation and smoother multi-tasking.
Microsoft’s Skype team says,
We’ve redesigned Skype to be much more natural and intuitive, and have added a bunch of new capabilities to make it even more delightful to use. Whether you’re using an iPhone or iPad, or an Android phone, it’s the same Skype you know and love – but way better!
Both Android and iOS are getting version 6.0 of the new Skype, both are quite different from each other though. Let’s get to each one of them individually.
Skype For Android
The biggest change, which you’ll spot almost instaneously on Skype, is the use of material design. Ever since Google introduced material design last year, it has been urging apps on play store to adapt to the latest design trends, to give a more uniformed feel to the entire OS environment.
And while Google’s own apps have all shifted gears to material design, many others, including a few popular ones — are still relying on their own design philosophy. Skype though, is one name you can strike off from that list, finally.
Skype For Android now also has a new ‘Floating Action button’, which will accompany you everywhere on Skype. The floating action button makes it incredibly simple to start a new conversation, whether you’re starting a video call, audio call, chat, or sending a video message.
Skype’s latest update also brings in enhanced search. And while Microsoft hasn’t detailed much on that, it simply says that “you can now find your most important contacts and conversations much faster”.
Skype For iOS
Skype for iOS too has its own set of improvements. Both iPhone and iPad get a new navigation, which is simple, familiar and gets you to your conversations fast. With Skype 6.0 you can use swipe gestures to quickly make calls and easily manage your messages. It is now easier to share photos, web links, emoticons and your location while you’re on a voice or video call.
Skype for iOS too has got enhanced search, and again, Microsoft has been as vague about the details of this feature, as it was for the Android one.
Also, all the features are present on iPhone, will now be available on iPad too. You can share your location, send large emoticons, see web link previews and easily send and receive photos. Skype for iPad also helps you stay in touch with your groups – now start a group chat or a group voice call straight from your iPad.
Lastly, no Microsoft news is complete without a passing mention of Windows 10 these days. And so, Skype’s team says, that it is “working hard on the new Windows 10 Mobile to deliver a delightful Skype experience” – and that it “will let you know when we have more to share”. Yup.
