Skype

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Skype How Tos

How to Use Custom Virtual Backgrounds in Skype Video Calls

Thursday April 23, 2020 2:10 am PDT by
Skype has introduced support for custom backgrounds in video calls, following the recent popularity of an equivalent feature in Zoom. The option to use custom backgrounds is part of the version 8.59.0.77 update for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, which began rolling out on April 16. As Skype's release notes describe the feature: "Want to look like you're calling from the beach, or from space?...

Skype Articles

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All-in-One Chat App 'Beeper' Brings iMessage to Android and Windows Using Workaround

Thursday January 21, 2021 4:34 am PST by
New universal chat app "Beeper" combines 15 different chat platforms into a single inbox and offers iMessage on Android and Windows (via The Verge). The app comes from a team including former Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky, and enables users to integrate a range of messaging services, including WhatsApp, SMS, Signal, Telegram, Slack, Twitter, Skype, Hangouts, Discord, Instagram, and Facebook...
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Skype iOS App Gets Background Blurring Feature

Friday July 17, 2020 3:05 am PDT by
Skype's mobile app for iPhone and iPad has been updated with a new screen-blurring feature this week. Users of Microsoft's video and voice calling service can now choose to blur the background on video calls if the scene behind them is something they'd rather not share. Background blur in Skype and Teams uses artificial intelligence (AI)—trained in human form detection—to keep you in focus...
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Microsoft Contractors Found Listening to Some Audio Calls When Skype Translator Feature is Active

Wednesday August 7, 2019 6:59 am PDT by
Microsoft contractors are listening to conversations between users on Skype who use its translation feature, according to Motherboard. This is done only if users are performing a translation function in Skype and not during any other typical Skype voice or video call. The information gathered includes Skype audio regarding intimate conversations between couples and more. The data also...
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Skype for iOS Now Lets You Share Your iPhone Screen With a Friend

Wednesday June 5, 2019 5:45 am PDT by
Skype this week launched a new screen sharing feature on iOS and Android devices, allowing users to share their smartphone screens with any of their Skype friends. Microsoft said that this should be useful for helping family members figure out their new smartphone, shopping online with a friend, and more. Skype on desktop already supports screen sharing, but this is a brand new addition for...
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Skype Testing Feature on iOS and Android That Lets You Share Your Screen With a Friend

Friday April 12, 2019 5:04 am PDT by
Skype has begun testing a feature on the iOS and Android beta versions of the company's app, allowing users to share their screens during a call (via The Verge). According to Microsoft, this will let users share a PowerPoint presentation with coworkers, browse dating apps with friends, or go online shopping with a family member. To see the new addition, you must be part of the Skype Insider...
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Skype Doubles Group Call Limit to 50, Overtakes FaceTime's Max of 32

Friday April 5, 2019 3:43 am PDT by
Skype has increased the number of users that can be on the same audio or video group call to 50, up from the previous maximum of 25. The bump up to 50 means bigger team chats and larger conference calls with speakers can take place, while full classes of students can participate in group calls. The change also means Microsoft's Skype now beats Apple's FaceTime for the number of users that ...
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Skype Gains Background Blurring Feature

Thursday February 7, 2019 1:13 am PST by
Skype is getting a new screen-blurring feature this week. Users of Microsoft's video and voice calling service can now choose to blur the background on video calls if the scene behind them is something they'd rather not share. The idea behind the feature is to save the user's blushes because of the messy room they're skyping from, or to obscure a business plan on a whiteboard behind them, for...
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Skype Calling Features Coming to Alexa Devices Later This Year

Friday September 21, 2018 3:50 am PDT by
Microsoft has revealed that Skype is coming to Alexa devices. The partnership between Microsoft and Amazon means that owners of devices in Amazon's Echo range will soon be able to make outgoing Skype voice and video calls, accept incoming Skype calls, and also make SkypeOut calls to most phone numbers around the world. Announcing the upcoming feature in a blog post, Microsoft said device...
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Skype Introduces Call Recording Feature for Mac and iOS

Tuesday September 4, 2018 3:31 pm PDT by
Microsoft today announced that it has added call recording functionality to the latest version of Skype available on Mac and iOS. Skype says that the new call recording feature is cloud-based, with Skype informing every participant in a given call that a call is being recorded. Call recording for video chats includes everyone's video and screens that are shared during the call, with the...
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Skype Redesign Ditches Snapchat-Like Highlights Feature to Focus on 'Simplicity'

Monday September 3, 2018 2:02 am PDT by
Microsoft is to simplify the user experience of its Skype mobile and desktop apps, with the aim of returning the platform's focus to core services like calling and messaging. In announcing the decision in a blog post, Microsoft acknowledged that the Snapchat-style redesign it introduced last year "didn't resonate with a majority of users" and had "overcomplicated" the platform, and said it...
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Microsoft Plans to Keep Skype Classic Available 'for Some Time' Following User Backlash

Monday August 6, 2018 2:34 pm PDT by
Microsoft last month announced plans to shut down Skype 7, aka Skype Classic, on PCs and Macs in September, with the company encouraging customers to instead upgrade to the latest version of Skype, Skype 8. Skype 8, first introduced last year, features a total design overhaul that has not been popular with some customers, which led some Skype users to be unhappy with Microsoft's announcement. ...
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Microsoft Recommends All Customers Upgrade to Skype 8 With Skype 7 Set to Be Sunset in September

Monday July 16, 2018 11:05 am PDT by
Microsoft today highlighted Skype 8 and recommended that customers upgrade to the new software as the company plans to retire Skype 7, aka Skype classic, later this year. Skype 8 includes free HD video and screensharing calls with up to 24 people, reaction options for messages in conversations and @mentions to get someone's attention in a group chat, a chat media gallery for viewing photos and ...
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End-to-End Encryption Comes to Skype Through Signal Partnership

Thursday January 11, 2018 3:17 pm PST by
Microsoft is testing a new "Private Conversations" feature in Skype, which is being introduced through a partnership with Signal. Skype is using the Signal Protocol for the feature, allowing users to take advantage of strong end-to-end encryption for more secure communications. Private Conversations are available for one-on-one conversations on Skype, with users able to initiate a private ...
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Skype, Tidal, VLC, Feedly and Other Apps Optimized for iPhone X

Friday December 8, 2017 6:50 am PST by
A handful of popular apps have been optimized for the iPhone X over the past few days. We've rounded up some of the notable ones below. Each of these apps now support the iPhone X's new screen size, rather than having a letterboxed design with black bars at the top and bottom. Skype VLC Tidal Feedly LINE Viber PlayStation Vue Bank of AmericaIf you have an iPhone X and use any of...
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Apple Has Removed Skype From App Store in China to Comply With Local Law

Tuesday November 21, 2017 4:59 am PST by
Microsoft has confirmed that Skype has been "temporarily removed" from the App Store on iPhone and iPad, according to a statement given to The New York Times. Apple told The New York Times that it was forced to remove a number of voice and video calling apps from the App Store in China to comply with laws in the country.We have been notified by the Ministry of Public Security that a number of...
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Skype Launches Redesigned Desktop App With Cross-Device Functionality Between iOS and macOS

Monday October 30, 2017 9:06 am PDT by
After first redesigning its iOS app and previewing a new update for Macs and desktop computers earlier this year, Microsoft has announced that its new Skype desktop software is launching today. The next-generation Skype desktop software is built to emulate the redesigned mobile application, which launched in June with an emphasis on media sharing and social networking features, although the iOS...
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Skype Brings Next-Generation Mobile Experience to Desktop in New Mac Preview

Thursday August 17, 2017 10:39 am PDT by
Skype today announced the release of a preview version of its next-generation desktop software, which is designed to emulate the redesigned mobile experience that it released in June. The new version of Skype shares design elements with the mobile version, but it has been created for the desktop's larger screen. Microsoft calls it the "most expressive Skype ever" with livelier group chats,...
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You Can Now Send Money With PayPal in Skype App on iPhone and iPad

Wednesday August 2, 2017 6:34 am PDT by
Skype today announced that users across 22 countries can now send money with PayPal in its mobile app for iOS and Android. Skype said the person-to-person payments feature is rolling out today in the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino,...
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Skype Reveals Redesigned iOS App With Chat Bots and Snapchat-Like 'Highlights' Feature [Updated]

Thursday June 1, 2017 7:46 am PDT by
Microsoft today introduced an enhanced, all-new version of Skype for iOS and Android devices that puts an emphasis on chats, chatbots, camera features, and its own version of Snapchat's Stories. The update comes with an overall change to Skype's visual design as well, with the company stating that it's decided to focus on allowing personal user choice to dictate how sections of the app look,...
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Skype for iOS Devices Updated With Siri and CallKit Support

Wednesday September 28, 2016 3:37 pm PDT by
Skype today updated its iOS app to version 6.25, adding support for new features that were introduced with iOS 10. Skype now integrates with Siri, allowing users to ask Siri to make a call using Skype for a hands-free way to keep in touch with friends and family. With iOS 10 and SiriKit, calling someone on Skype is as simple as using the same voice commands you're already using. Let's say...