Windows 8 Gets ‘Truly Modern Skype’
The new Skype doesn’t do much different, but it looks a little slicker
A Windows 8 version of Skype will launch on the same day as Microsoft’s latest operating system, on 26 October.
This Thursday is one of the biggest in Microsoft’s history, as it brings out Windows 8 for general release. It marks a move to a more tablet-friendly OS, with the Modern UI interface, formerly known as Metro.
Most of the changes in Skype for Windows 8 are aesthetic, including a “modern dial pad”, a “full-screen immersive and uncluttered Skype experience” and a “live tile” that will show information such as missed calls or new messages.
Skype for Windows 8… And the People?
The Skype software will be integrated in the People app in Windows 8, which brings together contacts, photos and social network interactions. The Skype team described it as a “cloud-connected address book”.
Skype integration moves all contacts across to People, where users can pin the “most important people” to the home screen so that a conversation is only ever a tap or a click away.
“We’ve designed Skype for Windows 8 to focus on the way you use Skype. Your conversations are more accessible to you than ever, and you can switch fluidly from chat to video or audio calls,” said Mark Gillett, chief development and operations officer at Skype, in a blog post.
“As with any new app we build, we welcome your comments and ideas and we will be listening to feedback from our community and learning. This release is only the beginning, and we will continue to update the Skype app over the coming months through the Windows Store, improving the experience adding new features and capabilities.”
Windows 8 will be getting a midnight launch on 00.01 on Friday this week.
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