Microsoft Redesigns Skype on Android, iPhone and iPad

Microsoft has issued major new versions of Skype for Android, iPhone and iPad. Skype 6.0 provides improved navigation and enhanced search on both platform, plus a more modern and native look and feel.

Here’s what’s new.

Skype 6.0 for Android devices

Skype for Android has been getting updates fairly regularly this year, but Microsoft says that version 6.0 is a major upgrade. Changes include:

UI redesign. Microsoft redesigned Skype to use Android’s Material Design principles, with a flat, opaque UI elements that look at home on modern Android versions. “We’ve made Skype even easier to use on Android phones,” Microsoft claims. “It’s simple, elegant, and delightful!”

Action button. A new The floating action button lets you easily start a new conversation, “whether you’re starting a video call, audio call, chat, or sending a video message,” Microsoft says.

Improved search. Skype search has been updated so you can find your most important contacts and conversations much faster than before.

Improved messaging. “It’s now quicker to see how many unread messages you have as we’ve made it easier to identify what you’ve read and what you haven’t,” Microsoft notes.

You can download Skype 6.0 for Android from the Google Play Store.

Skype 6.0 for iPhone and iPad

While the iPhone and iPad have separate Skype apps, they’ve both been updated and, thanks to some major changes to the iPad app, made more consistent as well. That is…

UI redesign. Skype for iPhone and iPad features a simpler new navigation that looks more at home in IOS, plus new swipe gestures to make calls and manage messages. It’s also easier to share photos, web links, emoticons and your location while you’re on a voice or video call.

Improved search. A new Recents tab makes it easier to search your messages and find contacts and groups.

iPad improvements. Skype for iPad has improved dramatically and picks up a number of features that were previously only available on iPhone. Messaging gets big changes, so you can now share your location, send large emoticons, see web link previews and send and receive photos. You can also start a group chat or a group voice call right on the iPad.

You can download Skype 6.0 for iPhone from the Apple App Store.

You can download Skype 6.0 for iPad from the Apple App Store.