Skype Redesign for Windows, Mac, and Linux Is Out Now

Microsoft has released a redesigned version of its Skype client for Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. The desktop version has received most of the features that were debuted on mobile devices to deliver a fresh experience. The new release comes on board a couple of months after the Redmond company brought a new Skype Preview for desktop platforms.

The very first change that Skype brings to your desktop is the arrival of customisable themes. You have been provided with the option to choose a colour and theme to match your preferences. The new update also has a personalised chat list that you can organise by time, unread, or status. You can add your favourite contacts to the list and even change its view from the standard one to compact or completely collapse it to continue your work.

The Skype app has also received new tools to uplift your productivity. You can catch the all the latest updates from your contacts by visiting the notification panel. This provides you with all the reactions to your messages, @mentions in group conversations, and the messages where you have been quoted. Also, you can jump to the conversation by clicking a particular message in the notification panel.

If you are looking to view all the content you have shared with your contacts, the new Skype desktop version has a chat gallery. You just need to click the Gallery option to see the media, links, and files you have shared previously.

Apart from the interface-level changes, the updated Skype version includes cross-device functionality that you can work with mobile, desktop, Xbox and smart speakers. Microsoft has additionally enabled cloud support to enhance the experience of sharing files, photos, and videos. The cloud integration also helps you send up to 300MB of files over Skype with a drag and drop gesture. Further, the cloud support is touted to make the Skype client battery efficient - a friendly gesture to notebooks.

Similar to messaging and blogging services like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Twitter, Skype for desktop has now been supporting reactions, @mentions, status updates and bots. These new additions make Skype a more communication-friendly platform - taking on Google Hangouts.

Besides, Microsoft has added add-in compatibility to give third-party developers a way to build new offerings for Skype users. You can leverage add-ins to send a Giphy to schedule an event or to get the latest news to your Skype window. The feature is initially available to Skype Insiders, though.

You'll receive an update to the redesigned Skype client on systems with macOS, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or any recent Linux distribution in the coming days. If you don't want to wait for the automatic update, you can manually install its presence by visiting the Skype site.