Microsoft has discontinued advertisements on Skype to enhance the user experience. The update, marked as version 8.125.76.201, is currently available to Skype Insiders, who test early iterations of the app. Removing ads aligns with Microsoft’s strategy to deliver a more streamlined and enjoyable interface. However, it also is a contrast to the company’s persistent shoving of ads into services such as Windows and Edge.
New Features on Board
The update doesn’t just focus on ad removal; there are also several enhancements to the image generation feature. Users now have easier access to the AI image creator directly from the chat window or top bar. Microsoft has given the Skype interface a revamp for better usability and aesthetics. Clicking on images now enlarges them for easier viewing. Additionally, navigation has been improved with a back button for the ideas page. The image creator is also easier to find in the message context menu, and margin inconsistencies on macOS have been fixed to ensure a consistent design.
Insiders are also getting multiple bug fixes for improved functionality. One significant fix solves an issue preventing media sending while connected to a 5G network. Another addresses a problem on iOS devices where the ringtone could be heard, but calls couldn’t be answered. Moreover, Skype on iOS now integrates with OneAuth, simplifying sign-in for users with other Microsoft apps on their iPhones or iPads.
Competitive Strategy
Microsoft’s move to make Skype ad-free is part of a broader effort to enhance the platform amid competition from services like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and WhatsApp. Recently, the company has introduced Channels accessing 3,500+ news publishers, AR lenses powered by Snap, and voice transcription.
By eliminating ads, Microsoft aims to attract new users and retain existing ones. Skype has been a popular tool for video calls, voice calls, and messaging since its launch in 2003, though the introduction of ads in 2011 received mixed reactions from users who found them intrusive.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 3:27 pm CET