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Microsoft says classic Skype will live on... for now
Last month, Microsoft started rolling out an updated version of Skype that was ultimately meant to replace Skype 7.0, or Skype classic, as it's known. The company initially said that Skype 7.0 would cease working on September 1st, but today, it extended the deadline and said it would continue to support Skype 7 for now. "Based on customer feedback, we are extending support for Skype 7 (Skype classic) for some time," Microsoft said in an update to a discussion post on its community forum. "Our customers can continue to use Skype classic until then."
Skype’s redesigned desktop app includes drag-and-drop photo sharing
Microsoft is rolling out an updated version of Skype for desktop today that comes with a handful of new features. Skype 8.0 will include free HD video and screen-sharing calls that can accommodate up to 24 people as well as the ability to share photos, videos and files -- up to 300MB worth at a time -- by dragging and dropping them into the chat window. Messaging is getting a tweak too and users will be able to react to messages in a conversation, address someone specifically with an @mention and easily see all of their @mentions in a notification center. Additionally, a new chat media gallery will house all of the files, photos and links that were shared in a conversation.
Skype adds read receipts at long last
Skype is catching up with pretty much every other chat program on the planet by finally adding read receipts. When someone has seen your message, their avatar will pop up below, so you can see at a glance how up to date they are with your conversation.
Lenovo's UFO-like hub brings Dolby audio to conference calls
Business meetings can be dreary at the best of times, but that's made worse by the flakiness of modern technology. Between hard-to-hear remote callers and a lack of consistent file sharing, it could be hard to sustain what little interest you have. Give Lenovo some credit for trying to fix this sad state of affairs, though -- it's introducing the ThinkSmart Hub 700, a flying saucer-shaped mini PC that serves as the cornerstone of office chats. It promises a big boost in audio quality, for starters -- it revolves around a four-speaker Dolby Audio system that should help your Skype (or Zoom, or BlueJeans) conference calls.
Skype's call recording feature is made for podcasters
Here's a little trade secret: podcasters and radio show hosts use Skype a lot. It's helpful for adding remote guests with minimal fuss. You usually need to synchronize with a third-party app or device to record the call at the quality you'd like, though, and that can be a pain to set up. Mercifully, Microsoft is aiming to fix that. It's readying a Skype for Content Creators mode that records calls directly through NDI-capable software like Wirecast, Xsplit and Vmix. The feature provides "clean" copies of all call participants that you can easily drop into audio and video production apps, so you can focus more on posting your show and less on double-checking everyone's recordings.
Plan group trips in Skype with help from TripAdvisor and StubHub
Bringing TripAdvisor into a group chat is pretty easy -- just tap the Add to Chat button and select TripAdvisor from the list of available plug-ins. You can choose a destination, then search for restaurants, hotels and activities in the area. Sharing interesting things from your search is as easy as tapping the Send button, and your TripAdvisor post will show up in the group chat. StubHub works similarly; you open the add-in and search for an event, location or date and then select the tickets you want. Once that's done, you can send the StubHub link to the entire group, and then everyone can click through to see the listings on the service, purchasing the seats they want.
Skype is now optimized for lower-end Android phones
It's not just Facebook and Google trimming apps to help them run on lower-end smartphones. Microsoft is rolling out a new version of Skype for Android that reduces the memory and storage demands on devices running Android 4.0.3 through 5.1, improving audiovisual quality and overall speed for those devices. It should be more tolerant of flaky network connections, too. The updated app will be available worldwide in the "coming weeks."
A major bug is forcing Microsoft to rebuild Skype for Windows
Skype has fallen afoul of a security flaw that can allow attackers to gain system-level privileges to vulnerable computers, Microsoft has confirmed. However, the company won't immediately fix the issue because doing so would require a complete code overhaul. The bug was discovered by security researcher Stefan Kanthak, who says the Skype update can be tricked into loading malicious code instead of the right library. An attacker would simply need to put a fake DLL into a user-accessible temporary folder, with the name of an existing DLL that could be modified by anyone without system privileges. Anyone trying to hijack your PC would need access to your file system obviously, but according to Kanthak, once system access is granted, an attacker "can do anything". However, the hacker would require physical access to the computer to do this.
Google team will bring Smart Replies to more chat apps
If you've wanted to use Google's canned Smart Replies in chat apps, you've been limited to using Allo or (if you're on the right carrier) Android Messages. But what if you're one of the many, many people using something else? Don't fret: Google's experimental Area 120 group is working on a Reply project that, as the name implies, will bring Smart Replies to many messaging clients (currently just for Android). Hangouts is logically on the list, but so are third-party apps like Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp and even Twitter's direct messages. You'd only have to tap a button in your notifications to confirm that you're on your way or say you're doing well.
Twitter may copy Snapchat to make video sharing easier
Poor Snapchat. Everything it does gets copied by everyone from Facebook to Skype to Google and now Twitter seems to be on the Snapchat-aping bandwagon. Bloomberg reports that the company is working on a feature that will make it easier for users to post videos than its current multi-step setup allows. Rather than tapping the compose button, then the camera button, then the record button, this new feature is reportedly more camera-centric and simpler to navigate.
Skype is adding an option for encrypted conversations
Soon, your chats on Skype can be just as secure as conversations on Signal, the service used by US Senators. Microsoft is integrating the open source Signal protocol, used by WhatsApp, Google, Facebook and Signal itself, into test versions of Skype as 'Private Conversations' for end-to-end encrypted communications.
Skype disappears from China's app stores
If you hope to download Skype to keep in touch while you're in China, you may be in for a rude surprise. Apple, Huawei, Xiaomi and other companies have been removing Microsoft's internet calling software from their app stores in recent weeks in response to a crackdown on VoIP apps that don't obey local digital security laws. The service still works if you already have the app installed, but you can't download a fresh copy or pay for features directly through stores.
Skype adds Snapchat-like AI photo effects to its mobile app
The Skype crew hasn't been shy about wanting to emulate Snapchat and hang with the cool kids... and that's truer than ever today. Skype has added a slew of decidedly Snapchatesque photo effects to its mobile messaging apps, including face stickers, filters, captions and handy info like the weather. You won't necessarily have to dig them up yourself, though. The effects take advantage of Microsoft's machine learning chops to detect your age and emotion, suggest text and even determine your celebrity doppelganger. The effects can vary by the day (including holidays), so you're encouraged to check them often to see what's new.
Facebook Messenger's money transfer tool is heading to the UK
Back in 2015, Facebook introduced the ability to send money to friends through Messenger and now it has brought that capability to UK users. It's the first time Facebook has launched the feature outside of the US.
Skype's chat-focused desktop redesign is available to everyone
If you've wanted to check out Skype's huge desktop redesign without living on the bleeding edge, now's your chance. Microsoft has released the finished version of its big overhaul for Linux, Mac and Windows users. As in the preview, the new communication software gets both a fresh new look and a stronger focus on messaging -- it doesn't feel quite so much like a calling app with chat grafted on top. There's a media gallery to find links and photos from your conversations, and you'll find modern messaging staples like reactions, mentions (to get attention in a group chat) and a notifications panel to catch up on what's new. This even marks the return of old-school status updates.
Microsoft's Cortana finds answers inside your Skype chats
You can already count on a dash of AI assistance in some mobile messaging apps, whether it's Google Assistant in Allo or the smart replies you find across iOS. But what if Skype is your chat app of choice? You're covered: as of today, Microsoft is rolling out its Cortana assistant to the Skype apps for Android and iOS. You can talk directly to Cortana if you want to ask about directions, flights or the weather, but it promises to be the biggest help inside your normal conversations.
Google's Pixel Buds translation will change the world
Google's Pixel 2 event in San Francisco on Wednesday had a lot of stuff to show off and most of it was more of the same: the next iteration of the flagship smartphone, new Home speakers and various ways of entwining them more deeply into your smart home, a new laptop that's basically a Yoga running ChromeOS and a body camera that I'm sure we've seen somewhere before. Yawn. We saw stuff like this last time and are sure to see more of it again at next year's event.
Microsoft's latest Mac app is a toolbar for Office 365
Microsoft's Garage team has a new tool designed to make using Office 365 on your Mac a little easier. My Workspace is a menu bar that offers quick access to pinned documents, OneDrive files, your iCloud calendar and Skype calls. The tool sits in the system tray and is pretty unobtrusive, as you can see in the embedded video. As iMore notes, the tool was designed by interns in Vancouver who were tasked with a way to "add value to a person's day" if the person was using Redmond's productivity suite. Interested? Check out the download links below.
Skype’s interview feature pairs video calls with a code editor
Skype recently launched a preview version of a new feature that could be appealing to people who conduct technical interviews online. Now, while on a video call, Skype users have the option to simultaneously use a real-time code editor through the platform's new Interviews site.
Skype’s new look arrives on the desktop in preview form
Skype is making a preview version of its new desktop design available for users to try out. Available today, Mac and non-Windows 10 PC users can download Skype Preview and see the new features that are in the works.
