New features coming later this summer to Skype
First and foremost, Microsoft says that Skype version 8.0 would also be released for the iPad with the same improvements, including quoted messages, personalized themes, chat lists, and mentions.
Then, Microsoft will finally implement read receipts, which means that users will know when the recipient reads their messages. This is a feature that already exists in popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, and adding it to Skype makes Microsoft’s solution a more appropriate choice for mobile devices.
“Once someone reads your message, their avatar appears beneath it in the Skype chat—enabling you to see how far someone has read in the conversation without tapping every message. This is especially useful in group conversations to help you make sure everyone is caught up with the latest messages,” the software giant explains.
Additionally, Microsoft says that Skype will receive call recording options. The process will take place in the cloud, and the company explains that users whose calls are being recorded would be notified “so there are no surprises.” Video and any screen shares during the call will be combined for the recording.
Microsoft will also add profile invites and group links to Skype, and the latter comes in handy specifically for people who want to quickly invite more friends or colleagues to their groups.
All these new features will become available for Skype users later this summer, but no other specifics are available for the time being. Most of them push the messaging app towards a mobile future, as Microsoft wants to expand Skype beyond the desktop and make it a more powerful alternative for both home users and the enterprise on both Android and iOS.
