skype

In addition to the release of a major update, Microsoft released a new version of the Skype UWP app for PCs and mobile, about a year back as a part of its Windows 10 Anniversary update. The Redmond giant released its much-awaited Windows 10 Creators update this very week, across all supported platforms — desktop, mobile, Xbox, and Hololens. And the Xbox update comes with a surprise — the UWP Skype app.

As of now, Microsoft has announced this UWP version of Skype for Xbox One, as a part of Xbox One Creators Update, revamped to suit the needs of the gamers. The interesting features which have been included in this Xbox One version of Skype are:

[mks_accordion] [mks_accordion_item title=”One-to-one and group video calling”] You will require an Xbox One with a Kinect to make video calls. However, audio-only calls are possible through a headset. Similar to other versions, to make a video/audio call, select the contact from your ‘Recent’ or ‘Contact’ list. From the menu, choose either ‘video’ or ‘voice call’ and you are good to go. Up to five video streams and about 25 simultaneous audio calls are supported currently. You will require making a group first to initiate group calling.
[/mks_accordion_item] [mks_accordion_item title=”Background Calling”] Multitasking has been made possible with this Skype version. You need not choose between play or call with the background calling feature of Skype. Ongoing calls will be automatically directed in the background as soon as you switch to your favorite game.
[/mks_accordion_item] [mks_accordion_item title=”Auto-zoom and Manual zoom”] Auto zoom automatically focuses on the video caller and pans the video all by itself. You can adjust the zoom through a manual zoom option according to your requirements. On a video call, highlight and select your video preview, then use right or left trigger on your Xbox controller to zoom and the right joystick to pan around.
[/mks_accordion_item] [mks_accordion_item title=”Call and Message Alerts on the TV”] Your messages and incoming calls will be shown on the connected TV screen so you don’t miss anything while involved in the game. You can instantly reply to messages and add new contacts as well.
[/mks_accordion_item] [mks_accordion_item title=”Cortana Assistance”] In case you have enabled Cortana on your device,  select the mic on the keyboard and then dictate a message. Cortana will convert your audio to text, check the text, and then send it! The feature will assist you to reply to your messages without the need to drop down your controller. Tapping on the Xbox button or saying ‘Hey Cortana, open that’ will further open the Skype app and answer a call.
[/mks_accordion_item] [/mks_accordion]

Detailing about the update and login process, the official Skype blog read,

If you already have Skype on your Xbox One, the app will be automatically updated. If you don’t have it installed, just search “Skype” in the Xbox One app store. This takes you to the app store where you can download and install. When you launch Skype, you’ll be signed in with the Microsoft account you use to sign in to your Xbox One.

Most the features introduced in this version of Skype are perfectly suited to the needs of gamers. Starting today, you can download the new Skype UWP app from the store on your Xbox One running the new creators update.

Along with this happy news, it is being said that a return (refund) system similar to Steam is coming to Microsoft’s Xbox One and to games purchased through Microsoft’s Windows app store. The system has been already rolled out to several public beta testers.

This initiative refunds the amount paid for a game in case it fails to appeal you under certain conditions. The conditions include — the return of a game within 14 days of purchase, gameplay of fewer than 2 hours and the non-eligiblity of add-on downloadable content, a.k.a DLC. Once the policy is rolled out globally, it will save your hundreds of bills, which go wasted upon useless and non-interesting games.

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