Skype for Business Arrives on Android

Skype for Business Arrives on Android

Microsoft on Wednesday delivered a non-preview Skype for Business mobile app on Android. The app follows releases on Windows phones and iOS.

By quite some time, actually. Microsoft shipped Skype for Business Comes on Windows phones way back in July. And the version for iOS—which supports iPhone and iPad—dates back to October.

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Skype for Android has been available in preview form since August. But that was true of the iOS version, too. It’s not clear why the Android version of Skype for Business required a further two months of development. But Microsoft has told me separately that Android apps often take longer than those on iOS because of the diversity of the hardware.

“We’re excited to make the new app broadly available so that everyone can be more productive while on the go,” the Skype for Business team writes in a new post to the Office Blogs.

Here’s are some key new features.

Designed for mobile use. Skype for Business for Android features a new dashboard with handy access to your contacts, search, and your upcoming meetings; a Quick Join icon for one-touch meeting joins, a recent conversations view, and a full-screen video experience with large call-control buttons.

Improved contact search. You can search your organization’s Global Address List (GAL) by name, email or phone number using the new contact search bar. You can also search for a contact within Skype for Business groups.

New security and authentication capabilities. IT admins can configure Skype for Business to require multi-factor authentication. Regardless, authentication is based on access tokens, so your credentials are not stored on the device.

Skype for Business for Android is now available in the Google Play store. If you are currently using Lync 2013, you will be automatically updated to the Skype for Business app based on your organization’s configuration.

Additionally, Microsoft is also teasing future functionality, including integration with Microsoft Intune. You can learn more in the Skype for Business IT Pro Yammer community, Microsoft says.

 

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