Join a Skype conversation right from a direct link

Here's a convenient feature we hope Microsoft's Skype brings to our shores soon: join chats right from a direct link. It doesn't even require the people you invite to have a Skype account. All you need to do is send a link to someone, say, through Facebook Messenger and have them join your current chat session on Skype. They don't even need to have the app installed because there's Skype for Web. The guests can join video conversations, send instant messages, and make voice calls. Those who do have Skype accounts and the mobile app can do so through links on Android and iOS. It's now available for users in the US and the UK but will be coming to other countries in the next couple of weeks. Skype also plans to introduce then the ability to share direct links from the mobile apps but they won't give a timeline yet when that will happen.

Source: SlashGear

Skype adds Split View support for iOS app

Skype is taking advantage of some of the new iOS features with its latest update. iPad users, at least those who use last year’s iPad Air 2 and those getting the iPad Mini 4 and iPad Pro, can use the Split View feature with the Skype app. You can have the app run side-by-side with another app, making it easier to copy and paste content to a chat you’re having. It can also use Slide Over feature, which is rather similar to Split View but it has one app occupying larger screen real estate on the left and another takes up smaller space on the screen.

iPhone users won’t be able to take advantage of these features. But you can now reply to Skype notifications right from the lock screen. You can start a Skype chat from the Spotlight screen and even make calls from there by looking up a contact.

Source: Skype | Via: CNET | Download: iPhone - iTunes App Store (Free) + iPad – iTunes App Store (Free)

Skype introduces Android Wear support

Microsoft’s messaging service Skype is coming to your Android Wear-donning wrist. The latest app update now supports Google’s wearable platform. You can read and reply to messages right from it either by using pre-written responses or by using the voice-to-text feature. You can even draw emojis on the watchface and that app will recognize those. You can take calls from it but, of course, this’ll push it back to your phone.

Skype names some Android Wear watches that the messenger will work with including Moto 360, Huawei Watch, LG Watch Urbane, and ASUS ZenWatch. You can try it out with the other smartwatches you have though, they might be able to work since Skype didn’t say any limitations in its announcement post.

Source: Skype | Via: Engadget

Skype on Microsoft Edge will soon function without plug-ins

Soon enough you'll no longer have to worry about plug-ins to get to use Skype on Microsoft's new Edge browser. The latest build for Windows 10 Insider Preview has Object RTC API, which lets apps with real-time audio and video communication to work without any installation necessary. It'll work for things like Skype, Outlook.com, and any other WebRTC-compatible services. It's still in preview though so the experience might not be as seamless. It's said though that the tech should exit its preview phase and go live later this year. Other browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari also support WebRTC standards, but we don't know if Microsoft plans to offer the experience there or make it exclusive to their browser. 

Source: Engadget