Microsoft Brings Messaging Everywhere Service to Skype in New Insider Build

Earlier in April, Microsoft had announced a Windows 10 Insider Preview that would let users send and receive text messages from their Windows 10 PCs. To recall, the 'Messaging Everywhere' feature that was initially supposed to be a part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update in August, was ultimately scrapped by the Redmond giant as the company felt they could deliver a better experience through the Skype app.

Microsoft is now bringing back the Messaging Everywhere feature with Windows 10 Insider Preview build 14926. The update to Skype Preview allows you to send and receive text messages from your phone, via your PC's Skype app.

The feature is not unlike what you would find in Apple's iMessage cross-platform integration. The Skype integration allows media attachments as well. To make use of this new feature, Insiders will have to set Skype Preview as their primary SMS via the app's settings.

Microsoft plans to bring the SMS relay service to the public in the coming months as well as some new features and improvements such as the ability to hide conversations, add contact button, and support for Skype URIs. Some of the features Windows 10 users can look forward to are detailed by Microsoft as follows:

• Improved messaging - message sent status, copy and paste quoted messages, read/unread line indicator, preview a URL in chat, keyboard shortcuts, drag and drop of files and photos, drag and drop of URLs from browsers, and video messaging.
• Easier calling - start call or conversation from profile page, group calls continue even when the initiator leaves, audio/video device settings, loudspeaker improvements.
• Additional Windows Mobile updates - transparent tile, video calls will default to loud speaker for video calls, and improved back button navigation.

Bringing the Messaging Everywhere feature to Skype hints that Microsoft wants the popular video-calling service to function as an all-rounded messaging platform for Windows 10 users.