You can now use Skype without an account

Microsoft is making it easier for you to talk to the friend of yours who has been begging you to get on Skype. The app now lets you quickly chat or make voice or video calls without needing a Skype account. Just head to Skype.com (you need to use a web browser on a computer) and select start a conversation and add your name to sign-in and use the app as a guest. You’ll then get be given a unique conversation link you can share with a person or a group. Once they click that link, they’ll be able to join immediately. They can even join as guest if they’re using Skype for Web.

Guests have access to all the features free Skype accounts have, such as screen sharing and file sharing. Group chats are also made available to you. These conversations will be available for 24 hours and if you need to maintain access to the log, you’ll need to sign up for a free account.

Skype on iOS now lets you make calls using Siri

Taking further advantage of iOS 10, Microsoft updated its consumer version of Skype for the iPhone and the iPad. The apps get deeper integration with Siri and now lets you place Skype calls using Apple’s voice assistant without needing to launch Skype first. Incoming Skype calls will also now appear on your screen with an interface that looks almost identical to regular phone calls. The latest iOS version also lets you store Skype details for your contacts on the service right into the contacts app of the operating system. For those using Skype for Business, Microsoft plans to bring the feature in next month.

Source: The Verge

Microsoft rumoured to be developing a Slack competitor

Microsoft isn’t resting on its laurels and is supposedly developing its own Slack-like messaging software. MSPowerUser reports the new effort will be called Skype Teams and will target the large teams and newsrooms that make use of Slack. The program will also leverage Skype’s core feature set and supposedly looks similar to Slack. It’ll have both channels and private messaging for groups, file-sharing, and the integration of fun features like emojis and GIFs. Skype Teams will also have a Threaded Conversations feature, which will let users respond directly to a comment, much like how Facebook’s comment threads work. Of course, there will also be able to start video chats within channels and in private messages.

Lenovo to preload Microsoft Office, OneDrive, and Skype on some of its devices

Expect to see Motorola smartphones with Microsoft’s software in the future.

Staying true to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s new vision for Microsoft of having as many people use their products as possible, the tech company is partnering with Lenovo to preload its software on some of Lenovo’s and Motorola’s Android phones. We don’t know yet which phones will be carrying Office, OneDrive, and Skype, though, but it’s expected that they’ll be shipping millions of Android devices with Microsoft’s suite in the coming years.

This isn’t the first time Microsoft has entered into a patent-cross licensing deal with other brands. But what this means is Microsoft is giving up its right to charge hefty royalties so it could bundle its products and have them more accessible to more people.

Source: The Verge