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Skype screen sharing iOS and Android

Skype adding screen sharing support to Android and iOS app when in video calls

Skype might not be the most used or the most popular video calling service any longer, but that doesn’t mean it has dwindled in support and features. The Microsoft-owned video chat application is planning on adding screen sharing to upcoming releases and has already added support for the feature in its latest beta for Android and iOS.


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After Slack-like chat features, Skype now adding Snapchat-style photo filters

Skype seems to be having a little difficulty at present figuring out whether it wants to be a business service or a consumer one. After recently adding Slack-like notifications, mentions and more, it is now adding Snapchat-style photo filters.

As seems obligatory for app updates these days, the filters claim to be AI-powered …


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PSA: Skype’s group video calling on Android & iOS rolling out from today

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Skype told us a month ago that it would soon be rolling out group video calling to both iOS and Android devices, and the company has today advised that the rollout is now underway.

Today, we’ve started rolling out group video calling on iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets in Western Europe and North America and we expect to have completed our roll-out to these markets over the next week or so. We plan to be fully available worldwide in March

This brings the mobile experience in line with that already available on the desktop.

The UI lets you choose between a grid view of all those in the call, and a focus view that automatically switches to the person speaking. Alternatively, if you only really care about one person in the call, you can use a ‘pin’ feature to stick with your view of them.

Via Engadget

Skype bringing free group video calling to Android

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Skype today announced that it’s bringing free group video calling— a feature it’s long had available on the desktop—to mobile devices including Android users.

Yes, it really has been a decade since Skype changed the way people connect with their loved ones. 6 years ago, we innovated again with one-to-one video calling on mobile phones. Today, we are excited to announce the next evolution – group video calling on Android, iPhone, iPad and Windows 10 Mobile.

The feature will officially launch in the coming weeks, but you can pre-register through Skype’s website here starting today.

And keep an eye out for updates to the Skype for Android app. In the latest update to the app, Skype also introduced to the ability to “Send video messages to groups directly from group chats.”

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Skype for Android adds video message filters, improvements to conversations & contacts

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Skype is rolling out an update for its Android app today that introduces new video filters not unlike competitive video chat services.

The new filters can be applied to video messages with various effects to choose from, and you’ll also find some Halloween themed emoticons and filters to celebrate the occasion this month:

Get started by tapping the filter wand at the bottom left of the video message window. Choose a filter to see it in action then, when you’re ready, hit the record button. Add balloons to your video message to celebrate any occasion. If you’re feeling goofy, change the appearance of your face to make it look rounder or longer – we love this one! Or, if you’re sending a video message showing off your Halloween costume, add some ghosts or use the negative filter to set a spooky mood.

And lastly, Android users get a few welcomed improvements to conversations and contacts in the update, including:

• Quickly send photos and files to the entire group by tapping on the corresponding icon in the group chat media bar.
• Want to chat with a friend who isn’t in Skype? Invite your friends to join Skype from the contacts tab.

The updated Skype for Android app is available on Google Play now.

Skype 6 for Android adds floating action button and improved messaging in latest redesign

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It was only a month ago that Skype for Android was hit with a slight visual refresh, and today Microsoft is pushing out a much bigger redesign to the messaging app that it says was inspired by Google’s Material design. Skype 6.0 for Android replaces the custom action bar along the bottom of the app with a new floating action button that should be familiar to other modern Android apps. The action button ties in shortcuts to video messages, video calls, voice calls, and conversation chats.
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Skype for Android updated with personalized ringtones and easier photo sharing

Skype has updated its Android app to version 5.10, allowing you to create personalized ringtones for specific contacts, and making it easier to share photos.

Customize incoming call sounds for a contact by selecting a ringtone from your device. In a conversation, tap the lower right and select “Ringtone options” then “Set custom ringtone”.

Share photos from chats with other Skype friends and family who may not be in the conversation. Just tap and hold on the photo you want to share and select “Forward photo”.

Avatar colors for group chats have also been changed, to make it easier to tell your different conversations apart.

The last significant update was the visual refresh and performance boost last month. A week ago, the company made available to enterprise customers a preview of its updated Skype for Business Android app.

The new app is a free download from Google Play.

Photo: TNW

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Microsoft announces preview of new Skype for Business Android app with simplified UI & better navigation

Announcing-the-preview-of-Skype-for-Business-apps-for-iOS-and-Android-2If you’ve felt that Microsoft’s Skype for Business Android app was lagging behind the consumer app in terms of visual appeal and ease of use, the company has been working on correcting that. Microsoft says that the latest version of its enterprise-oriented app is now available for preview, before its rollout later in the year.

  • Larger buttons make it easier to mute, add participants and manage your call.
  • Video, which now fills the screen, brings you closer to your colleagues.
  • We made it easier to navigate between video and content with just one tap by simplifying the IM, video and content panes. While you can still view content in full screen, you can now also view content and see the speaker’s video at the same time!
  • Contact search bar—Search your Global Address List by first name, last name, email alias or even a phone number! On iOS, your phone contacts are also included in the search.
  • Upcoming appointments—Here you can see your current and next meetings in your calendar. You can either click through to read more about the meeting or click the Quick Join icon to join the meeting right away.
  • Recent conversations—Makes it easy to refer back to your most recent chats, phone calls and meetings.

Only a handful of users per company can get access to the preview, however, admins able to nominate up to four Android users to trial it. IT administrators can visit www.skypepreview.com to take part in the preview program.

Via Engadget

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Skype 5.5 for Android remembers log-in details, adds web link previews

Skype for Android is getting an update today that brings two notable new features. The app now remembers log-in details making it faster and easier to sign-in, while chat gets the web link previews feature that first arrived on the Mac and iOS.

With the improvements we’ve made to battery use and notifications, you can comfortably leave Skype running on your Android devices without signing out. However, for those of you who still want to sign out, we’ve made it easier for you to sign back into the app.

With the app’s new ability to remember log-in details, users will be to decide whether or not a password is required for each log-in. The app will remember your password by default, but you can switch it off in Settings in the Privacy section.

Skype also notes that web link previews, a thumbnail showing a preview of webpages for links shared in chat windows, will start appearing for Android users over the next few weeks with the latest update.

Version 5.5 of Skype for Android is available on Google Play now.

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Skype for Web now supports instant messaging on Chromebooks

If you’re a heavy Skype user, you probably aren’t a Chromebook user—and that’s probably because the two have never really played very well together. That’s at least starting to change starting today, though, as Microsoft has announced that Skype for Web is now expanding to be available worldwide, as well as bringing support for IM on Chrome OS and Linux.

Update: We’ve been hard at work and are pleased to announce that Skype for Web (Beta) is now available worldwide! Please see below for a list of supported languages. Also, good news for Chromebook and Linux users: you can now access Skype for Web (Beta) for instant messaging.

If you’re an Internet user—ha—and you have any of the supported browsers (or now, a Chromebook), you can access the Skype web app at any time for free. While today’s update does indeed bring support for instant messaging to Chrome OS, it’s unfortunate to note that there’s no voice and video support quite yet, as those require a separate plug-in.

Facebook Messenger for Android adds cross-platform video chat support

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Facebook continues to add new capabilities to its Messenger app today with the launch of a new video calling feature. A new video icon at the top of conversation threads will initiate a call, allowing participants to communicate across platforms over Wi-Fi or LTE connections.

The addition puts Facebook in competition with Google’s Hangouts, Microsoft’s Skype, and other similar services. Interestingly, web-based video chat has been available on the desktop for some time, and was previously powered by Skype.


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Two major carriers opt out of Microsoft’s deal w/ Samsung to pre-install apps on the Galaxy S6

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You may recall last month that Microsoft announced a major partnership with Samsung to include a number of mobile apps on the flagship Galaxy S6 out-of-the-box. While bundled apps may be considered bloatware for many consumers, the deal meant Microsoft’s Android apps would gain a lot of exposure for adopters of arguably the best 2015 Android smartphone. The results of that deal may vary, though, as two major carriers have introduced roadblocks to some of Microsoft’s apps for their versions of the Galaxy S6…
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Skype 5.3 for Android adds updated UI w/ chat bubbles, animated emoticons & emoji support, more

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Skype today released an update to its Android app, version 5.3, which introduces new features that bring the Android version more up-to-date with features recently released for iOS and desktop users.

Among the new features, Skype 5.3 for Android includes an updated UI with chat bubbles, which looks much like the Skype experience already on other platforms.

The update also includes large and animated emoticons, emoji support, and other performance and user experience enhancements.
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Skype 5.2 for Android lets you share photos with offline contacts, more

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Skype is rolling out version 5.2 of its Android app today and with it comes the ability to share photos with offline contacts. Previously the app only let users share photos with contacts that were currently online.

Gone are the days when you and your contacts need to be online at the same time for you to share photos using Skype. With this update, you can now send photos to your Skype contacts at a time that’s convenient for you, regardless of your contacts’ online status. When they are back on Skype, photos you shared show up beautifully inline in the chat history, whether or not you’re online – allowing you to easily carry on the conversation.

The update adds other new features as well, including picture in picture view for smartphones and enhancements to chat load times, call quality, and more:

  • Picture in picture view is now supported on phones, too – letting you keep a video call going even when you navigate away to other applications
  • Chats load faster, especially when opened from a notification
  • Call quality improvements, especially in low bandwidth scenarios

The updated Skype app for Android, version 5.2, is rolling out on Google Play today.