Hate the latest Microsoft Skype upgrade? Join the club.
After countless people responded to Skype’s latest update with a series of complaints, angry messages, and disappointment, Microsoft has jumped into action, announcing that they’d be changing the app yet again. The re-design was originally intended to transform the Skype everyone knew and loved into a “messaging app” similar to Snapchat or WhatsApp, but what it ultimately did was alienate scores of Microsoft’s loyal fans.
From missing emojis to abandoned features, most customers considered the latest Skype change to be an all-round disaster, though some of the added features have been accepted. The good news is that the next update should keep all the bits we like about the new Skype while leaving the unwanted changes in the trash.
Fixing the “Best Ever” Version of Skype
Though Microsoft recently described the latest update as the best change they’ve ever made to Skype, the community forum is overflowing with complaints about the app, and the current “App Store” rating is drastically low, at somewhere around 1.5 stars.
While you could argue that not everything about the latest update is bad, removing the ability to show yourself as “available” or “invisible” was clearly a bad decision – and it wasn’t the only one. Users hated the fact that they could no longer turn off large animated emojis, the latest formatting seems to be garish and unattractive, and some people can’t even figure out which of their contacts are online.
In response to the feedback, the Skype Team announced that it had heard its fans, and would be making some swift changes. Soon, you’ll be retrieving the status display for your contacts on the home screen, as well as the ability to share content from other apps into Skype chat. The next update will also fix the ability to delete conversations and contacts and will support using other apps while in a call.
Is Microsoft Saving Its Skin?
It’s safe to say that Skype represents a pretty significant asset for Microsoft. Acquired for $8.5 billion in 2011, Skype is a popular and frequently used app – but the latest software fails to meet expectations.
With the latest upgrade, Microsoft isn’t just fixing its mobile apps either. The company will also be introducing some new updates for Skype on Windows 10 devices too. The latest Skype will allow users to start new conversations, open the dial pad on top of their most recent conversations, and view contact profiles.
You’ll also be able to use the Windows ‘share charms’ to distribute photos, videos, files, and links to your contacts, and browse a new “emoji” reaction feature for quick responses to video and messages – similar to the like button on Facebook.
More on the Skype issue:
People are Really Hating the New Microsoft Skype Redesign
Missing “Classic” Skype? You’re in Luck…
