Skype issues a thorough revamp of iPhone and iPad app with new features

Skype 6.0 for iOS teaser 001

Microsoft-owned Skype on Thursday announced a major redesign of its mobile application for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices. The new Skype 6.0 for iPhone and Skype 6.0 for iPad (still two separate downloads) features a sleeker look that the company says was “built for both the iPhone and iPad,” includes simpler navigation, a more powerful search and improved multi-tasking when switching between call and chat screens.

Multitasking and new look

As attested by the teaser image top of post, Skype’s mobile app is now easier on the eyes, sleeker, more logical to navigate and definitely better looking than before. The team says the new design is “much more natural and intuitive” but I’m still not a huge fan of Skype’s general look and feel.

More important than the looks though, the app incorporates a few useful enhancements. For instance, an improved search feature makes it easier and faster than before to search acrosss conversation content, groups and your contacts.

And lastly, Skype for iOS now allows you to switch between the call and chat screens to share photos, web links, locations and more, while you talk.

In addition to the aforementioned improvement, Skype’s somewhat neglected iPad app has also gained a few specific features of its own, including the ability to add contacts to Skype from your iOS address book.

Other new features in Skype for iPad include location sharing, new large animated emoticons, starting groups and chats, interacting with notifications and sharing and receiving photos more easily.

Skype 6.0 for Android teaser 001

All of these features were present in Skype’s iPhone app for quite some time now but they’re now accessible on iPads, too. The Android edition of Skype has gained a new look in line with Google’s Material Design language, as shown above.

Skype 6.0 changelog

Summing up, here’s what’s new in Skype 6.0 for iOS:

  • Redesigned for iPhone and iPad–We’ve redesigned Skype for both iPhone and iPad to make the apps easier to use than ever before. The new navigation is simple, familiar and gets you to your conversations fast. With Skype 6.0 you can use swipe gestures to quickly make calls and easily manage your messages. We have also made it easier to share photos, web links, emoticons and your location while you’re on a voice or video call.
  • Enhanced search–We’ve made it easier to find things in Skype. Simply use the new recents tab to search your messages and find contacts and groups.
  • The features you love, now on iPad–All the features you love on Skype for iPhone are on your iPad too. We’ve made messaging on Skype for iPad a whole lot better – you can share your location, send large emoticons, see web link previews and easily send and receive photos. Skype for iPad also helps you stay in touch with your groups – now start a group chat or a group voice call straight from your iPad.

No word on when these changes will roll out to Skype’s Windows Phone app. New Skype for Android features are highlighted in the team’s blog post here.

Availability

Skype for iOS requires an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad with iOS 7.0 or later.

It’s fully optimized for native display resolution on the iPhone 5/5s/5c, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and includes rich notifications for your wrist with Apple Watch support.

The app includes In-App Purchases for Skype Credits and is localized in English, Bokmål, Norwegian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.

Download Skype for iPhone and Skype for iPad free in the App Store.