Skype News and Updates

skype_android_update_emojis_screenshot_blog.jpg


Microsoft on Thursday announced an update for Skype for Android and iOS, while also announcing an update for its Skype Qik video app with new video effects for the Android, iOS, and Windows Phone platforms.

In Skype 5.3 for Android, Microsoft has made some 'big changes' under the chat section of the app. Users will now see a bubble-style chat layout on Android, similar to what we have seen on the VoIP service's desktop and iOS versions. Besides sending Skype emoticons, Android users will now be able to send emojis. Also, if users are only sending emojis in a chat, a large animated version of the emojis will be displayed. Speech to text is also supported as a part of the update, when connected to Android Auto.

Some of the other improvements made in the Skype 5.3 for Android include no auto-scrolling of chats resulting in easier catching up on an active conversation; changing and viewing of avatars for all the group chats, and re-entering of username and password after signing out. This feature will be helpful for those who use multiple Skype accounts.

On the other hand, Skype 5.12 for iOS will be getting support for 12 new languages in the coming weeks, including Hindi. Other languages supported are Croatian, Slovak, Catalan, Vietnamese, Thai, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Malay, Turkish, and Estonian.

As for the Skype Qik 1.5 for Android, iPhone and Windows Phone platform, the video app now comes with eight new video effects. On opening the viewfinder, users can now select an effect to apply on the video. Switching from one effect to another is also possible if users want to add multiple effects in their videos.

While Android and iOS users can tap on the 'magic wand' icon to add effects, Windows Phone users would have to swipe on the viewfinder to cycle through various effects. The updated Skype and Skype Qik apps are available to download from the respective app stores.


Microsoft Updates Skype and Skype Qik Apps With New Features | NDTV Gadgets
 
Sun music introduced skype calling today which enable us to see the face of callers...

It was a good innovation taken by SUN MUSIC and first in the Indian History

skype id:sunmusicsm
 
jay kumar said:
Sun music introduced skype calling today which enable us to see the face of callers...

It was a good innovation taken by SUN MUSIC and first in the Indian History

skype id:sunmusicsm

Good move.

But it is not for the first time in India. DD Podhigai already did this for Sports Quiz program which was aired on Friday night 9:30. They did it via BSNL 3G video calling. I watched that program with video calling from viewers.

..
 
Skype for Windows now has built-in real-time translation for desktop users, as Microsoft has expanded the availability of its Skype Translator tool.

Up until now, Skype translator was available only in preview on Windows. Back in June, Microsoft promised to integrate the real-time translation tool into the Skype for Windows desktop app by the end of this summer, and the company is now making good on its word.

Microsoft started rolling out Skype Translator to all Windows users on Thursday, October 1. For now, the newly improved Skype for Windows desktop app has six voice languages and 50 messaging languages built in for real-time translation. The voice languages are English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin. Read more about the 50 messaging languages in a Microsoft FaQ.

"It has been a long-time dream at Skype to break down language barriers and bring everyone across the globe closer together," reads an announcement on the Skype blog. "Researchers, engineers, and many others across Microsoft have been working hard to make this dream a reality and we are looking forward to bringing this preview technology to more devices.

"Now, you have even more reasons to chat with people around the world — bringing together family, friends, and students. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities to do even more together across not only distances, but also languages."

The announcement explains that Skype Translator will get better and smarter in time, learning more with usage. Early adopters who took a shot with the preview have already helped improve the technology and the broader release should now translate into even more feedback. In turn, that feedback should help improve Skype Translator in the future and mark further progress.

Skype Translator will work with the desktop version of Skype on Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10, but Microsoft made no mention yet of the tool's availability on other platforms. It may take a good while for Skype's real-time translation technology to reach OS X, iOS, Android or other platforms the Skype app is available on, but the wider availability for all Windows users nonetheless marks a notable step in the right direction.

It's worth pointing out that Microsoft just started rolling out Skype Translator as an update to the Skype for Windows desktop app, but it may take a few weeks to reach all users. Once the tool becomes available, those using the Skype desktop Windows app will notice a new translator button within their conversations.

Skype Real-Time Translation Baked-In: Skype Translator Works With Windows 10, Windows 8, And Windows 7 : PERSONAL TECH : Tech Times
 
Microsoft has announced that it is bringing Skype, the popular video calling and messaging app to Linux, Chrome and, Chromebook devices. The Linux version of the app is currently in the Alpha state while the company actively works on the development. A stable version of the app will be launched once the bugs and issues are worked out in the App. The alpha app only offers audio calls along with the ability to add contacts, instant message and use of new emoticon packs. Even though the app only supports 64-bit Linux and lack of screen sharing, there is only so much that can be expected an Alpha software. The video will come soon according to Microsoft Corporate Vice President Gurdeep Pall as reported by saudigazette .

The company further announced that Chrome and Chromebook device users can go to web.skype.com and start using the web version of the app. Even though both Linux, Chrome, and Chromebook are really web apps (for Linux it is WebRTC client) but all versions sport Skype’s next generation calling architecture. The company has promised to “release an update every two weeks or so”. The promise of regular updates comes after the company did not update the previous Skype app in last two years.

Microsoft again emphasised on its commitment to Linux and Chrome. Linux, Chrome and Chromebook support is part of the bigger strategy by Microsoft. The company is focusing on providing their products across multiple platforms instead of just being limited to their only platform to reach out to as many as users.

Skype comes to Linux, Chrome and Chromebooks Tech2 Mobile
 
Back
Top Bottom
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock