Skype for Android makeover brings new UI and video messaging

Microsoft has updated the Skype app for Android (version 4.0) revamping its user interface inline with the company's modern design philosophy seen in the Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 versions of the app. The update is only available for Android phones at the time of writing of this post but Microsoft says that it intends to bring an updated app for tablets very shortly.

The redesigned user interface gets rid of clutter and offers Recent, Favourite and People tabs listing the user's recent chats, list of Favourite people and all Contacts, respectively. One can just tap on a name or a chat thread to start chatting, sending files or video messages or initiating a video or voice call. Adding people is also easy through the add icon located at the bottom within the chat thread.

The two shortcuts for the Skype dialler and for initiating a new conversation are omnipresent across the three tabs, putting communication in focus. However, the Settings and options to change your status, add Skype credit and sign-out are now available from the Me page that can be accessed by tapping the Me icon from the top right corner.

Microsoft says that it rebuilt the Skype for Android app from the ground up to be faster and more reliable. It adds that it focused on stability, performance, and load time while giving the app a makeover.

Th new update also brings the recently launched video messages allowing users to send and receive unlimited number of video messages from their Skype contacts. Through Skype Video Messaging, users can record a video message of up to 3 minutes and send it to people on their contacts list if they're offline. The recipients will be able to watch the video message when they sign-in next time.

The app is available as a free download from Google Play.