Microsoft released the latest update for its Skype app on Android this week, with a refreshed UI design that the company says “brings a more delightful experience” to the app. In fact, Skype for Android 5.6 doesn’t include any new features – but the changes aren’t all skin-deep.
Microsoft says that the update makes the app “even more beautiful to look at and even easier to use”. Its release notes explain how the visual changes improve things:
See more chats at a glance
When you have multiple chats going at the same time, it could be challenging to follow along. In Skype 5.6 for Android, we’ve updated the app to let you see more chats on the Recent tab. Now a quick glance allows you to catch up on more conversations, and you can easily jump in to start chatting.
See friends’ online status with lovely round avatars
In addition, we’ve made updates so you can easily see which of your friends are online, no matter where you are in the app. We have also polished and unified the avatar pictures, giving the app a simpler and more consistent look and feel.
See chat messages more clearly
Within each chat, you’ll notice that we adjusted the color of chat bubbles to make the text pop more. Now, not only can you read messages with added clarity, you’ll find it easier to tell what you said from what everyone else said. You’ll find this update particularly helpful if you have group chats with lots of participants.
But while most of the changes in this release are cosmetic, Microsoft says that version 5.6 “also includes a number of fixes and improvements to make the app more stable.”
The update is already available for existing users, but if you haven’t got the app installed on your Android device, you can grab it via the link below.
Download: Skype for Android (Google Play)
Source: Microsoft via Android Central