A few weeks ago, Microsoft released Skype 5.6 for Android, promising "a more delightful experience" for users of the app. But today, the company has rolled out a new version of Skype that ditches that user experience for a new one - not just on Android, but also on iOS.
Skype 6.0 for Android gets a new look more in keeping with Google's 'Material Design' visual language. The changes aren't all skin deep though, as Microsoft's release notes point out:
Redesigned for Android – Inspired by material design, we’ve made Skype even easier to use on Android phones. It’s simple, elegant, and delightful!
Floating action button – The floating action button makes it incredibly simple to start a new conversation, whether you’re starting a video call, audio call, chat, or sending a video message.
Enhanced search – With an upgraded search you can now find your most important contacts and conversations much faster.
Improved messaging – It’s now quicker to see how many unread messages you have as we’ve made it easier to identify what you’ve read and what you haven’t.
Skype 6.0 for iOS also gets a refreshed interface, along with support for touch gestures:
Redesigned for iPhone and iPad – We’ve redesigned Skype for both iPhone and iPad to make the apps easier to use than ever before. The new navigation is simple, familiar and gets you to your conversations fast. With Skype 6.0 you can use swipe gestures to quickly make calls and easily manage your messages. We have also made it easier to share photos, web links, emoticons and your location while you’re on a voice or video call.
Enhanced search – We’ve made it easier to find things in Skype. Simply use the new recents tab to search your messages and find contacts and groups.
The features you love, now on iPad – All the features you love on Skype for iPhone are on your iPad too. We’ve made messaging on Skype for iPad a whole lot better – you can share your location, send large emoticons, see web link previews and easily send and receive photos. Skype for iPad also helps you stay in touch with your groups – now start a group chat or a group voice call straight from your iPad.
Sadly - albeit unsurprisingly - Microsoft didn't offer any further details on what it has in store for Skype on Windows 10 Mobile, the company's new smartphone OS which is still in development. Screenshots recently leaked showing the new integrated Skype experience - which will ditch the standalone Skype app, in favor of task-based integration in three other communications apps - running on Windows 10 Mobile.
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