Skype gets iOS 8-ready, adds interactive notifications support

Microsoft has update its Skype messenger to take more advantage of the new interactive notifications feature on iOS 8. It is now possible to respond to text messages as well as video and voice calls from the notifications settings.

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Microsoft updates Skype to only send you chat notifications on one active device

If you have Skype on your smartphone, tablet, and computer, we’re pretty sure you get annoyed by the simultaneously pinging of those devices when you get chat notifications. Microsoft is fixing the problem with a new update. Skype has a new “active endpoint” feature that will only send you chat notifications on the device you are using. For example, if you are chatting on your phone, then the notifications will only show up on your phone. At the same time, the chat history is still synced across multiple devices so if you want to pick up the conversation on another device, you can do just that.

Skype gets Cortana integration

We have more voice recognition software news for you today. Microsoft has integrated its own virtual assistant Cortana into Skype on your Windows Phone devices to let users make calls by just asking Cortana. Microsoft said Thursday, “Now you can start Skype video and audio calls by simply asking Cortana something like ‘Skype, get Mom on the screen.” The feature is currently available in the 2.19 update for Skype on Windows Phone 8 and 8.1 in the U.S. The new update also added more language support (from 19 to 51 languages) and improved notifications.

Microsoft to retire older versions of Skype for Mac and Windows

Microsoft wants to make sure your Skype use isn’t disrupted. The tech company announced that it will “retire” older versions of Skype for Mac (versions 6.14 and under) and Windows (6.13 and under) pretty soon. They did not specify what they meant by retiring but they just want to emphasize that updating now will prevent any disruption for the users in the future.

If that isn’t enough to make you want to upgrade, the new versions of Skype have features like free group video calls and cross-platform messaging. It might be best you listen to Microsoft and update your desktop app now.