Microsoft announced a new version of its Skype messaging app, along with a warning that previous versions of the software will be disabled after Sept. 1.
“As we roll out improvements, there comes a time when we must shut down older services and application versions,” wrote the Skype Team in an online post. “This is done to ensure that all customers have the best possible Skype experience, and that there are no quality or reliability issues resulting from old technology and new technology interoperating.”
Among the new features in Skype 8.0 is support for HD video and screensharing calls. Conference calls for up to 24 people can be staged in 1080p video from any device running Skype.
Skype 8.0 will be available for Apple’s iPad, Microsoft also announced.
New Features Skype Version 8.0
- Free HD video and screensharing calls—Get together with 1 or 24 of your friends, families, or colleagues no matter what device they use Skype on. See everyone in high definition, view 1080px video, and share things together.
- More productive messaging—Express how you’re feeling by reacting to messages in conversations. Use @mentions to easily grab someone’s attention in a group chat. Simply type the @ symbol followed by their name to trigger a notification for them. You can easily find all your @mentions and get back to people in the notification center.
- Chat media gallery—Looking for the link or photo sent a few weeks ago? Chat media gallery makes it easy to find files, links, and photos that were shared in a conversation, whether it was yesterday or last month. No more scrolling through your chat history—just click Gallery under the chat name to see all the files, links, and photos in the conversation.
- Share photos, videos, and other files—Share up to 300 MB at a time over Skype just by dragging and dropping files into your conversation window.
