Mac Skype users get web link previews in new update

Users of Skype on Apple Mac computers can now get a preview of web links in the latest version of the popular videoconferencing software.

Skype 7.7 for Mac automatically shows a rich visual preview of the web page if a link is shared, Microsoft's Tom Huang said.

"(W)ith web link previews, you no longer need to type the: 'check out this funny cat video' alongside the actual link to the cat video," Tom Huang said in a blog post.

Huang said this is the latest enhancement to the chat experience, with earlier features including synced chats across devices and bubble-style chat, inline photos and file icons on desktop.

Huang said the latest Skype build also makes it much easier to see what’s been shared.

"Finding a link in your chat history also becomes quicker, saving precious time to let you focus on the conversation," he said.

Skype 7.7 also comes with several bug fixes, but will require OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or higher.

But enthusiast site 9to5mac.com noted the previews will only show up if a link is the only thing in the message, "so it won’t break up long blocks of text that happen to include a URL (an annoyance with similar web previews in other chat apps)," it said.  — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Microsoft to retire older Skype versions for desktop

Users of Microsoft's Skype videoconferencing software on desktop or laptop computers may have to upgrade to the new version soonest.

In a blog post, Microsoft said Skype for Windows 6.13 and below and Skype for Mac 6.14 and below will be retired, "over the next few months."

"We‘re excited to be working on great new experiences for Skype, but more on that later! For now, we encourage you to download and update to the latest version today," it said.

To encourage users to upgrade soonest, Microsoft indicated the new version allows:


- Sending and receiving instant messages when contacts are offline
- Viewing consistent chat history across multiple devices
- Syncing read/unread status on all messages across devices

A separate report on The Next Web said it is not clear what "retiring" means, however.

Still, it said it is worth following Microsoft's advice to update soonest.


"While it’s not clear exactly what ‘retiring’ means, in terms of whether it will simply stop working or will just no longer be supported, Microsoft says it’s encouraging 'all users to update to the latest version today to continue using Skype without disruption,'” it said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com