Microsoft Releases Update for Skype for Windows Phone

Microsoft has released an update for Skype for Windows Phone, called the Skype for Windows Phone 8 version 2.9.

It features several improvements that were highlighted by Skype in a recent blog post.

“We’ve focused on quality and performance improvements as we continue to build a great app that puts conversations first,” according to the Skype blog post. “We’ve incorporated user feedback and made improvements to the way contacts are managed, and the Skype home screen layout.”

There are several new features. One is the People List Filter. Windows Phone contacts and Skype contacts are split differently in the Skype People List. Users can view all contacts, just Skype contacts, or available contacts.

Another feature is a Home Screen. It lets users “pivot” through app functions. Favorite contact tiles are smaller, as well. “You can scoot about Skype more quickly,” TechCrunch said in explaining some of the benefits.

“This new update cuts down on noise and simplifies use of Skype,” according to a review from TechCrunch.

One drawback with the app, according to The Verge, users can’t send video messages in the application. Will that change?

It may, but not now.

“We will inform you if we add send capability at a later date,” a Microsoft statement was quoted by the news media. “Windows Phone users can already receive and view Video Messages.”

For two months, the capability has been available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and BlackBerry operating system users.

In addition, Windows Phone Skype users can receive short video clips in Skype. But the users can’t send them to their contacts or leave messages instead of voicemails, the report said.

“Surprisingly, there's no support in the Windows Phone client for Video Message sending, a strange omission given that Microsoft owns the video and voice service,” The Verge reported recently.