Microsoft today announced that it will retire "Skype Classic" for desktop (version 7.0) on September 1. In its place, all Skype users will be forced to upgrade to version 8.0 by that date to continue using Skype for dekstop.
From Microsoft:
As we roll out improvements, there comes a time when we must shut down older services and application versions. This is done to ensure that all customers have the best possible Skype experience, and that there are no quality or reliability issues resulting from old technology and new technology interoperating. We know change can be hard, so we're working to make the update as simple as possible.
Skype version 8.0 is revamped with several new features, and Microsoft has more planned for future releases. The new features include the ability to add reactions to messages, @mentions, and a chat media gallery. You can also now drag and drop files up to 300MB in size to share them with friends and contacts.
This version of Skype is also rolling out on iPad starting today, with a similar set of new features in tow.
As for Skype's future, Microsoft offered a peek at several more features it is cooking up. The most notable of these is call recording, which lets you capture entire calls at any time. Read receipts are also in the works, as are end-to-end encrypted conversations.
If you're using an older version of Skype, you should be prompted to update to version 8.0 before the September 1 deadline arrives. Otherwise, you can download the latest version of Skype from Microsoft now.
We compared the sizes of the Xbox Series S|X to a PS4, Big Mac, & more
At this point you've probably seen plenty of Xbox Series S | X size comparison videos, but we bet you haven't seen one quite like this. Here is the ultimate next-gen Xbox size comparison guide.
Review: Halo 3: ODST on PC exceeds our expectations
Halo 3: ODST is officially out on PC, but does it match the quality of the Halo 3 port? As it turns out, it raises the bar even higher. Here's our full review.
Review: $40 Surface Duo Ember and Ice bumpers
If you have a Surface Duo and are eyeing some of those new bumper colors for some flair and protection, we have you covered. Here is a quick comparison between Ice (blue) and Ember (red) in photos.
Make the most of your Surface Pen and Slim Pen with these awesome apps
To really maximize the ability of the Surface Pen and Slim Pen, there are some essential apps you should check out. We've rounded up the best right here for a variety of purposes.