Skype gets updated in Windows 11, but will anyone care?

Ahead of the launch of Windows 11 on October 5, Microsoft has introduced a serious redesign to Skype, its different communication app alongside Microsoft Teams that permits customers to affix a gaggle name utilizing their units.

When Skype for Business was retired earlier this 12 months, many had assumed that Skype quickly could be retired completely, with Teams taking on the mantle.

However, it appears as if Microsoft is prepared to maintain each apps, regardless of some observers questioning if there's any level to holding two apps with the identical features operating concurrently.

What's coming to Skype?

Microsoft has detailed a bunch of recent options coming quickly to Skype, together with a redesigned consumer interface that focuses extra on customizable colours and a brand new view when in a video name.

The firm additionally mentioned that the app's efficiency has elevated on desktop by 30%, whereas there is a important 2,000% improve for Android units when operating this upcoming model of Skype.

TwinCam feature in the upcoming update for Skype

(Image credit score: Microsoft)

Alongside having the ability to be part of a name on an online browser and altering your background when in a name, Skype will additionally provide the potential to make use of one other system to affix in the decision so you possibly can seize extra content material round your environment. This characteristic is named TwinCam, which may permit a tool to be a part of the decision by a QR code.

There's additionally the Universal Translator that may enable you to talk with another person in one other language, over a landline or video name.

While these updates aren't stay but, Microsoft has mentioned that they will be arriving quickly, most probably in conjunction with Windows 11 arriving in October.

Analysis: why?

While it is welcoming to see Skype see a redesign and a bunch of recent options, the elephant in the room is why.

With Microsoft Teams having an icon in the Windows 11 taskbar, there's been no point out of Skype by the corporate in the way it will seem in the approaching improve for Windows.

As each apps are in the identical class and serve the identical operate, it was believed that Skype would ultimately be merged into Teams, assuaging any confusion for customers.

However, now that Skype is because of achieve an enormous replace quickly, one wonders if the Skype crew could also be spun off once more into its personal firm. At current, there is no cause for 2 communication apps from Microsoft to exist.

With the advertising and marketing struggles that the corporate has had with TPM necessities for Windows 11, it could be finest for the corporate to rectify why it sees the necessity for 2 apps to do the identical operate for its customers.