Microsoft is openly aiming to “get people excited about Skype again.” The instant messaging service is promising to become ad-free. There will also be revised AI functions.
In June, the formerly widely used online short message service ICQ officially ceased operations. Skype used to be one of the most popular services of this type. The term “Skype”, ie making phone calls over the Internet using Skype, has even made it into the Duden dictionary.
However, its popularity declined. However, Microsoft, which has owned the service since 2011, seems to be aiming to increase the number of users again – and has announced some changes. The aim is for “people to develop a renewed enthusiasm for Skype,” an anonymous source recently told the “Windows Latest” portal.
No more ads on Skype
A Microsoft employee announced that the “Skype Insider build 8.125” had been released and spoke about the current projects. The most significant change: all advertising content will be removed from Skype. “We are pleased to announce that Skype is now ad-free,” they said. The update would remove all advertising from Skype channels and the entire platform. This should lead to a “smoother, clearer and more pleasant user experience.”
According to “Windows Latest”, ads were recently visible when users opened MSN posts on the platform. However, this could also be removed in a further update.
Other planned changes include making it easier to log in on iOS. Users are automatically logged in if they are already logged in on their device using another Microsoft app. With the planned changes, Microsoft is also placing value on AI-generated content in the desktop application. A revised version could make it possible to create AI images directly in the chat window with additional functions.
A number of bug fixes were also announced – including a resolved bug that prevented users from sending files when connected to a 5G network.
By (ada/ki/spot)
