Microsoft Updates Skype for Windows, Windows Phone With New Features

Microsoft last week announced an update for the Skype for Windows and Skype for Windows Phone applications. While Skype for Windows has been updated to version 7.0, Skype for Windows Phone now comes with version 2.25. Both new apps feature some new functionality for users.

For Skype for Windows users, Microsoft has now added the ability to make a video call to other Skype contacts on Lync and vice versa. "This means Skype and Lync customers can reach even more colleagues, partners and customers, streamlining communications across both work and life," added Elaine Ansell from Skype on the company blog post.

The new Skype for Windows 7.0 app comes with touchscreen support, via which users can scroll through pages, tap to answer or cancel calls and perform other functions. Microsoft has also brought a new UI design along with a compact view during a video call, a balanced colour scheme and a toggle to show unread messages, which it showed in October. Lync is an enterprise-centred service for communication that was acquired by Microsoft back in May 2011.

As for the Windows Phone users, the Skype update 2.25 brings bigger emoticons and better message management system.

The v2.25 of Skype for Windows Phone will now feature large emoticons on the chat thread. Users will also be able to delete messages and clear conversations. However, "remember the messages will still show on other platforms," said Lara Kingwell on another company blog post.

Besides a better chat loading time, specially when opened from the notification tray, the Skype for Windows Phone will also be able to see group avatars. Adding groups to favourites section is also possible.

Microsoft also announced that users of Skype Qik on Windows Phone will now be able to send Qik Fliks pre-recorded messages with the latest update.