Microsoft redesigning Skype for mobile, desktop

The redesign concentrates on decluttering the mobile app interface and shifting chats, calls, contacts and notifications options to the top left of the window, providing a central navigation point for desktop users

Microsoft redesigning Skype for mobile, desktop

Microsoft is redesigning Skype's interface for both mobile and desktop, eliminating the less used features on the app and simplyfying its core functions like voice calling, video chatting and messaging.

"This past year, we explored some design changes and heard from customers that we overcomplicated some of our core scenarios," Peter Skillman, Director of design for Skype and Outlook wrote in a blog post.

Microsoft is also removing the "Highlights" feature which was added to Skype last year and was inspired by photo-messaging app Snapchat. It allowed users to post a thread of photos and videos for friends to view and react to with emoticons.

"Calling became harder to execute and 'Highlights' didn't resonate with a majority of users. We needed to take a step back and simplify," wrote Skillman.

The video-and-voice platform would now also come with light and dark theme options to choose from.

"We toned down the visual range of the gradients and re-introduced a simplified Skype 'Classic' blue theme-adjusted for contrast and readability," Skillman added.

More updates, focussing around calling, chats and contacts would be rolling out in the months to come, the post noted.

Microsoft has also reportedly rolled out end-to-end encryption for private conversations on Skype that would ensure that the chat content between two people is hidden in both, the chat list and the notifications.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Except for the change in the headline, the story has been provided "AS-IS," "AS AVAILABLE, without any verification or editing from our side. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels