iPhone Owners Promised A Skype App Makeover

Microsoft-owned Skype is promising users of the Apple iOS platform a ‘remastered’ version of the Skype app.

Version 5.0 of Skype for iOS promises a fresh new look, improved performance, as well as better device synchronisation.

Remastered App

According to Skype, the new app has been rewritten “from the ground up”, in order to “customise it to fit iOS best.” Microsoft engineers have already redesigned Skype for Android devices.

“The new Skype for iPhone is the most refined version yet,” blogged Skype’s product marketing manager Eric Lin. He said that the company’s engineers “have obsessed over every pixel” of the redesigned app, which has also been optimised for “iOS’s unique strengths.”

“The new Skype for iPhone is the most refined version yet. It has all the visual finish that iOS users expect, smooth animations and even a few features that aren’t just new for this version, but new to Skype altogether,” Lin wrote.

According to Lin, Skype 5.0 will be noticeably faster than previous versions. Indeed, the new version is said to be over 5 times faster than the old version. It is also promising a smoother experience, as Apple users will be able to “swipe from conversations through to your favourites and then back to your contacts lists.” The smooth scrolling and transitioning from screen to screen also comes with “delightful little pops and animations,” but without any impact on performance or battery life.

Another promise from Skype is for more integration. iPhone owners will be able to start group chats from the hub. And when they send messages or photos, it doesn’t matter if the recipient is offline – they will get the message as soon as they are connected to the Internet.

Finally, Skype promised to continue its efforts to improve device synchronisation. In a recent update for Windows 8.1, the company made changes to the way the app is handling offline messages and remedied a bug that caused Skype to ring on multiple devices during incoming calls.

“We know our users are using Skype on multiple devices, and we want to make sure your Skype notifications keep pace with your conversations, no matter where they happen,” wrote Lin. “Now, as you read your messages on your PC, tablet, Xbox and so on, those conversations will be marked as read (or unread if new messages come in) on your iPhone too.”

Middle Finger

Lin also promised that a new iPad version will be delivered as well. The redesigned Skype for iPhone will be available globally in about a week’s time.

Last month, Skype upset some users when it quietly removed rude and naughty emoticons from the VoIP service, because they had “the potential to offend some users.” The “offensive” emoticons that were removed include one that displays a middle finger, and one that shows a woman’s legs.

Microsoft has also promised that it will launch a beta version of the Skype Translator service later this year.

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