The Skype team over at Microsoft have released a dramatically improved version of the voice and video communications app for Android. The new 7.0 version of the app is hitting the Google Play Store now and if you already have it installed, you should see the update hit your device via an OTA over the course of the next few days. The big improvement in this new update is the new Material Design inspired UI on tablets.
We’ve redesigned the tablet UI from the ground up, bringing a number of material design inspired elements.
The app also has a Floating Action Button (FAB) that makes it much faster to start a conversation or call with Skype app. That FAB is in both the tablet and phone versions of the app.
In addition, the Skype team has added a lot of new features and improvements to the app in this release.
Skype 7.0 for Android
Multitasking features – the new tablet design makes it easier to multitask as it comes with a multi-pane view when in landscape orientation. Simply flip your device and you’ll be able to send messages, files and check your latest conversations while on a video or voice call.
Powerful search – Skype 7.0 also brings our improved universal search to Android tablets, making it easier and quicker to find contacts, chats, groups and Skype bots, right from the main screen of the app.
Invite your friends to Skype – now, when you sign in to Skype you will see all of your device’s address book contacts displayed in your Skype contact list. If they aren’t already using Skype, it’s now easier than ever to invite them. All you need to do is click the “invite” button next to their name and they will receive a message with all the info they need to get started.
As you can sense, this update to Skype is very much focused on improving the tablet experience and having tested it out this morning, I think they have hit the mark.
You can read the full details on this release on the Skype Blog. If you want to download it to your devices, you can do so in the Play Store.
