Microsoft has finally decided to build Universal Windows App of Skype, and this is coming based on the feedback from consumers like you and me, instead of taking a random decision. Microsoft initially decided not to release universal version of Skype App for Windows 10, and they had integrated the Skype Video feature into Windows 10 PC & Mobile Messaging app which undoubtedly is messed up, specially the video part.
Skype team will soon release the first version of Skype’s UWP to Insiders on Fast Ring to get feedback, and look for improvement. They want to release a full featured high quality and lightweight application by gathering your feedback and monitoring its performance. So, what’s in this version? It includes the following popular functionality:
- Sign in with your Microsoft Account and link a Skype ID
- Show and change your availability
- See a list of your existing Skype contacts
- Initiate a chat with anyone in your contact list
- See that the other person is typing
- Logout
- Make one-to-one voice and video calls and send messages
- Personalize your experience with emoticons and Mojis
- Send photos
- See notifications for incoming calls and messages outside of the app
- Participate in existing group chats
What’s to come? More flexibility, sharing and group features will come in the next couple of releases, including:
- Start a chat with anyone using Skype or not using Skype
- Create a group and send group messages
- Group voice and video calling
- Share your screen, files and video messages
- Manage notifications from individual chats
- And much more…
We expect that Microsoft will showcase Skype UWP to Windows Insiders in Build 2016 which is happening later this month. The same app will be rolled out to Mobile version later some time. More at Skype
