Microsoft's movements in the last year, pointed to the fact that the Skype video calling platform could have its days numbered, since everything seems to revolve around Microsoft Teams. However, the Redmond-based company has confirmed that Skype is still very much alive.
Microsoft has announced a major update to the Skype application for macOS and all other platforms. According to Microsoft, it is an "improved, faster, more reliable and super modern looking Skype" and they have focused on the most important part of this platform: the user interface in calls.
In a blog post, Microsoft says it is updating and modernizing "the most important part" of Skype, the call scene, adding new layouts, themes and other ways to help everyone connect more closely on the call.
We wanted to ensure that the app remained familiar, while modernizing its appearance and making the experience more inclusive.
With this update, users can see themselves in a call thanks to the together mode. With this mode, all participants in a call can appear in this new grid, even if they are not sharing video.
The video calling app has also improved chat headers with a new design, added group avatars and new button gradients.
One of the most notable features coming to the app is Skype's Universal Translator. According to the blog post:
With the Universal Translator, you can communicate with anyone in any language, on a phone line or in a video call. Low-cost calls with a real-time translator on top, we love bringing that Star Trek science fiction to reality.