Microsoft updates Skype iPhone & iPad apps with overhauled interfaces, more

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone edited September 2015
Microsoft on Thursday released major updates of its Skype apps for iPhone and iPad, redesigning their interfaces for better ease-of-use and more visual appeal, while giving iPad users access to options like location sharing and interactive notifications.




Both apps have been given a new Recents tab, as well as a search tool, making it simpler to track down people, groups, or conversations. Microsoft has also improved switching between call and chat interfaces, which can be helpful for sharing content mid-conversation.

New gesture commands include swiping on a contact to make a call, or swiping on a message chain to delete or respond to it.

The iPad app builds in a number of additional improvements, above all location sharing, interactive notifications, and options for starting groups and chats. Sending and receiving photos should be simpler, and users can now import contacts from their iOS address book.

The iPhone and iPad apps are separate downloads, but are both free and run on devices with iOS 7 or later.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    deegee48deegee48 Posts: 66member
    About time! The old iPad interface was LOUSY!
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  • Reply 2 of 9
    tenlytenly Posts: 710member
    Off topic - AI should allow posters to categorize their comments as negative, neutral, positive or troll. They should also allow everyone else to vote on the posts of others using the same 4 categories - and readers of course should be able to apply a filter based on those categories so that they can just focus on positive messages or at least filter out trolls. It may not be an extremely useful feature, but I for one think it would be fun.

    I'm not a big Skype user but the new interface sounds like it was much needed! Looking forward to giving it a try!
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  • Reply 3 of 9
    idreyidrey Posts: 647member
    tenly wrote: »
    Off topic - AI should allow posters to categorize their comments as negative, neutral, positive or troll. They should also allow everyone else to vote on the posts of others using the same 4 categories - and readers of course should be able to apply a filter based on those categories so that they can just focus on positive messages or at least filter out trolls. It may not be an extremely useful feature, but I for one think it would be fun.

    I'm not a big Skype user but the new interface sounds like it was much needed! Looking forward to giving it a try!

    That's a good idea but, you know they won't be honest.
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  • Reply 4 of 9
    anantksundaramanantksundaram Posts: 20,413member
    I really appreciate the genuinely multi-platform attributes of Skype. I am able to communicate with a larger group of people around the world. Also, the fact that I can videoconference with up to 25 people, with an education license, is quite impressive (although, I have not tried that many at a time).

    Networked products are only as useful as how many people you can get into that network. Using that criterion, FaceTime is a nice-to-have product with primarily family-use compatibility (even there, my 100% Apple hardware-based family often reverts to Skype by default because of its familiarity). Skype is a must-have product for me.
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  • Reply 5 of 9
    eideardeideard Posts: 428member
    Sorry, but, I have zero confidence in security using Skype since MSFT bought it.

    Any recommendations for VOIP with trustworthy encryption and security. I need Mac-to-PC capabilities.
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  • Reply 6 of 9
    charlesatlascharlesatlas Posts: 407member
    I really liked the old Skype for Mac from before MS bought them. Simple, compact, with the options I needed. I've really hated the current version they demanded I upgrade to in order to keep using Skype. It's unintuitive and just generally bug-ridden. I can't delete voicemails and history individually like I could in the old version. I haven no idea when or how it decides to delete things. It takes several Command-W keystrokes to close the window. It's just a complete piece of garbage right now. Hope this new version will be better.
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  • Reply 7 of 9
    singularitysingularity Posts: 1,328member
    eideard wrote: »
    Sorry, but, I have zero confidence in security using Skype since MSFT bought it.

    Any recommendations for VOIP with trustworthy encryption and security. I need Mac-to-PC capabilities.
    Skype? ?
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  • Reply 8 of 9
    kajaakajaa Posts: 1member
    But there is no sound! I cannot hear anything at all. No conversation possible, all you can do is look at each other. I was told by Skype help desk this is a known problem, they are working on it, but no time frame when fixed. I few things come to mind. Read complaints from users.
    Why didn't Microsoft test the update BEFORE release?
    Whatever update it is not worth when you have no sound. Skype is currently of no use.
    Why did Microsoft not publish an acknowledgement there was a problem ? I would no be wasting my time checking
    iPad sound source, Skype setup and trying to reach Skype help (no phone help) to find out what is wrong. I spent my entire morning to find out the problem is not on my end.
    That is the least Microsoft should do if the screw up the Skype that worked just fine. This update is a disaster and a major disappointment
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