Microsoft is not giving up on Skype, announces several new features and design changes...

[Humza]

Something to look forward to: Microsoft’s aggressive push for Teams and the app’s native integration into Windows 11 may have caused users to think the company would shelve Skype at some point. However, the good ol’ teleconferencing and chat app appears to be far from retirement given the announcement of several new features, design, and performance improvements slated to arrive over the next few months.

Skype is getting yet another revamp as part of Microsoft’s efforts to modernize the app. Chief among them is the updated call stage feature, which is getting Zoom-like layouts for arranging participants in small/large grid, speaker view, alongside the recently added Together mode. The interface will also let users disable video stream and hide audio-only participants from the call stage for reduced clutter.

Users will also be able to add a mobile device to their call as a second camera with the 'TwinCam feature' and make use of Skype's Universal Translator for real-time language translation during landline and video calls.

Skype's interface is being worked on as well. Although there are several gradient elements present in the existing app, the upcoming changes will push the use of gradients throughout the app, introduce more colorful themes and include Fluent Design icons for a modern look and feel. The app’s left side panel is also getting minor tweaks to make it visually appealing.

Skype's 'Meet Now' feature is also getting improvements, with a redesigned lobby and the addition of previews in join links. The latter will display the host's name and avatar to users invited to a 'Meet Now' session.

As for performance improvements, Microsoft touts a 2,000 percent improvement on Android and a 30 percent improvement on desktop in 'key scenarios.' Hopefully, that means less loading times and faster connections.

Finally, another welcome change -- which has been rolled out -- is the ability to customize notification sounds, which Microsoft notes was one of the top requested features. Others, meanwhile, will make their way to Skype over the coming months.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/91455-microsoft-not-giving-up-skype-announces-several-new.html

 

[Dimitriid]

We're not giving up on Skype! We'll just do the very logical and smart thing of competing with our own division that wanted to bring Microsoft Teams specifically for consumers as well because there's nothing better for business than internal competition! Just ask Sears I'm sure they're a shining beacon of internal competition as a net benefit right?

 

[gigantor21]

This seems like a waste of resources when people are mostly on Teams now.

 

[Geralt]

This seems like a waste of resources when people are mostly on Teams now.

I am on Skype.

 

[Hexic]

Microsoft, you could learn a great deal more from Google here by now in not fragmenting your own communications platforms.

But, you’ll keep developing the dumpster fire that is Skype and pull a Allo/Hangouts/[insert 15 other platforms here] and end up fizzling out in a handful of years like we all know you’ll do.

 

[MaitieS]

I am on Skype.

Sure thing but the thing is that all corporations are already on Teams by now and the main focus of MS were always corporations before the casuals

 

[Guberian]

Microsoft Teams is a giant memory leak disguised as a mediocre slow version of zoom. I doubt they could do any better.

 

[Dimitriid]

This seems like a waste of resources when people are mostly on Teams now.

I am on Skype.

Statistically, I think most people would just say "Zoom" and if they're younger maybe Discord.

But still, this is precisely the issue: you both use different Microsoft products that essentially do the same thing: it's a waste of time and resources.

 

[zamroni111]

Since beginning, enterprise skype strategy is wrong because microsoft separated it from consumer skype.
and now microsoft statements contradicts what office365 admin pages suggests, I.e. migrate skype for business to teams.
microsoft also promotes teams for personal uses, which competes againts consumer skype.

 

[Tams80]

Skype has never been a problem for me. I still like it too.

Zoom... just no. Teams is a resource hog. For personal use, my friends use WhatsApp or whatever the main communication app where they live is (and it usually sucks). Google whatever-it-is-now works I guess...

 

[AmigaInside]

...a 2,000 percent improvement on Android...

Hopefully that number* includes the Android version actually ringing when someone is calling.

*do they really mean two thousand?