If you're a long-time Skype user, then you've no doubt seen its many faces and redesigns. Today marks the release of yet a...
If you're a long-time Skype user, then you've no doubt seen its many faces and redesigns. Today marks the release of yet another redesign, and this time it actually looks pretty damn good.
First off, Skype took a page from the Android playbook and went with Material Design and a FAB, so it not only looks better, but it functions in a smart and intuitive way. I think that's something we can all get behind.
Aside from that, search has also been enhanced so you can more easily find the people you talk to the most. Along that same line, it's also faster and easier to see how many unread messages you have. You should also be able to quickly see what you've read and what you haven't.
If you have an iPad or iPhone, Skype 6.0 is also available today on iOS. Skype is taking strides to move its iOS and Android apps away from the Windows Phone look with redesigned versions for both platforms that should feel a lot more familiar for users. Skype 6 for iOS also introduces an enhanced search feature, brings the iPad version up to parity with the iPhone version, and more.
While still retaining the don’t-call-it “Metro” theme used by modern versions of Windows, Skype 6 returns to a traditional tab-based navigation bar along the bottom for easily moving around the app similar to other popular messaging apps including Facebook’s Messenger. Before the latest makeover, Skype was divided into similar categories but put sections at the top. The new iPad version should feel especially familiar to Apple’s Messages users and similar apps.
In the Recents tab, Skype 6 introduces what it calls a new enhanced search feature for finding contacts and groups from past conversation threads. And as mentioned at the top, Skype 6 brings the iPad version up to parity with the Skype for iPhone with a focus on not just video calling but also conversational chatting: “you can share your location, send large emoticons, see web link previews and easily send and receive photos.” Skype also highlights being able to initiate group voice calls and group chats on the updated iPad version.
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