Microsoft updates Skype applications on various operating systems in 8.61 version. Replaces React Native Skype for Windows 10 with an Electron version and adds some new features.
"Starting June 2020, Skype for Windows 10 and Skype for Desktop" are becoming one, the page says supportof Microsoft. But that doesn't mean there will be only one Skype app for Windows 10. The company will still support and update both two versions of Skype for Windows 10. We're talking about the Store app and the Desktop app, with feature λήψηof the Desktop version from the Skype.com page.
The new Skype application for Windows 10 brings some new features, such as support for nine videos in one video call. Other new features include:
- Shutdown options have been updated so you can easily shut down Skype or stop it from starting automatically when the operating system starts.
- Improved icon, which will inform you about new messages and presence status.
- Share files directly from File Explorer.
- Background replacement.
- Coordinating conversations.
- Improvements to Meet Now
- Improved call controls
Microsoft has also stopped supporting some features in version 14, including integration with Share Charm and syncing with Outlook contacts. The support page states that these features are "not yet supported" in Skype for Windows 10.
Microsoft this week began testing consumer-focused features for versions for cell phones of the team collaboration platform Teams. But no one from Microsoft has publicly stated that the company's plan is to replace Skype with the new Teams app. For now, many within the company argue that there is a distinct need and place for a group chat/calling app like Skype, but also a full collaboration system like Teams.
The users of Skype will automatically upgrade to the latest version, whichever platform and version of the app they are using.