Skype beta on iOS and Android updates

Fariha Khan
February 22, 2017
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Microsoft is bringing some great new features to users in the Skype Insider program on iOS and Android. The company previewed a number of new features such as messaging reactions, a built-in camera, in-call reactions and more.

An integrated camera is the first new feature making its way to Skype 8.0. It helps you quickly swipe to the left from a messaging thread in order to take a snap of something worth noticing. Then with the help of this update you can add emoticons, stickers, and annotations to the picture prior to sending it to someone.

Next up is a new find panel. Microsoft stated that this new feature makes simpler to find and share the weather, links, news, restaurants, and more straight from the app.

Find panel: easily find and share links, news, sports results, restaurants, the weather, videos and more without leaving the app. No more switching back and forth between apps; we’re making it easy to bring the content you care about to the conversations that matter.

Like reactions in Messages on iOS, Skype 8.0 has now enabled the power to respond to messages with a number of built-in reactions. It includes stuff such as emoji, voting, and more. Besides, the update adds support for in-call reactions, similar to message reactions, in-call reactions enable you to add emoji, live text, and real-time photos to calls.

In-call reactions: you can now add live emoticons, live text and even real-time photos to your video calls. We all know a picture speaks a thousand words, and now you can amp up those video calls, especially when you’re keeping pace with a busy group.

Skype is testing the new features in its Skype Preview program on Android and Skype Insider program on iOS. Following is how you can participate in these programs:

It’s not clear when actually these features will come to the stable channels of Skype. In case you wish to check them out now, you can make use of the following instructions:

Skype Preview for Android is already available on Google Play so you can download it today and begin exploring our new features.

And for Apple users? Skype Preview for iOS is available in limited capacity through Apple’s TestFlight, so you can apply to become a Skype Insider for iOS and if selected, you will get an email invitation to download.