Microsoft has been hard at work with the Windows 10 version of Skype, and today it rolled out an important update to preview users. Those on Windows 10 Mobile will be able to send and receive text messages from Skype desktop, a feature previously reserved for Insiders.
The update also comes with some other useful features. You can right-click to quote messages, see image previews of shared URLs, and call someone directly from a profile page.
Skype Preview 11.9 Changelog
However, this is just a small part of the new functionality. Microsoft has also come up with several other improvements in Skype Preview 11.9. The following should create a more robust and modern experience:
- “Easier calling – Manage audio and video devices from Skype settings to select a preferred camera, microphone or speaker and test audio before a call.
- Additional Windows Mobile updates – Video calls will now default to loud speaker and we’ve improved back button navigation.
- Improved messaging – Drag and drop files and images up to 300MB into your chat to quickly share them with friends and family, right click on a message and select “Quote Message” so you will know who said what in your chats, see an image preview of a shared URL rather than a long link, and stay on top of messages with an unread message indicator in chat.
- Enhanced profiles – Start a call or conversation from a contact’s profile page, add/remove/block contacts, view initials of a contact if they don’t have a profile picture, and unblock any contact you may currently have blocked.”
The team’s next focus is on integration with the new ‘People Bar’ coming with the Windows 10 creators update. You’ll be able to access Skype contacts straight from the taskbar for easy management.
In addition, Microsoft is working on bringing the text relay feature to Android, so users will soon be able to get their hands on that functionality. In the meantime, you can grab the latest version of Skype Preview here.
