Updated September 11, 2018: The SMS Connect feature is now gradually rolling out for the Skype Preview app on Android, Microsoft says. Until the rollout completes, not everyone will be able to use it right away. Once available, however, you should be able to pair your phone with your PC and start using Skype to text from your desktop. Once testing is complete, the feature will make its way to the full Skype app on Android. The original story follows.
Skype is making a bid to be your texting app of choice with its latest preview update. The Skype Preview app for Android has been updated with a new "SMS Connect" feature that will let you send and receive SMS messages from the Skype app on your PC or Mac (via Windows Blog Italia).
Unfortunately, while the option to turn on SMS Connect now appears in Skype Preview's settings on Android, it doesn't appear you can enable it just yet. Regardless, Microsoft is promoting the feature with an update to the Skype Preview app on desktop, which offers the option to use Skype SMS or the new SMS Connect. From the description:
Use Skype on your PC or Mac to read and reply to your Android phone's SMS messages. To get started, tap the button to install Skype on your Android phone.
We aren't yet seeing the preview update on Windows 10, but the folks at OnMSFT have reported it is rolling out as version 8.29.76.16.
In other Skype news, call recording and encrypted private messages have started rolling out across the app on all platforms. Private messages should already be enabled for everyone, while Microsoft's director of design for Skype and Outlook, Peter Skillman, says that call recording will reach everyone soon.
If you're ready to give any of the new features a shot, you can pick up the release version of Skype and the Skype Preview app from Google Play now. On desktop, you'll have to opt into the preview via the Skype app's settings menu.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Review: BenQ's Mobiuz EX3415R is a feature-laden ultrawide gaming monitor
BenQ's Mobiuz EX3415R is a 34-inch ultrawide gaming monitor with some impressive specs and features. We test it out to see if it's worth the steep price tag.
Power or agility? We compare Dell's XPS 15 with LG's gram 15.
These two laptops might share a similar footprint, but they're intended for two very different types of user. We break things down to help you get a clear idea of which PC is the better buy for your needs.
Everything we know about Halo Infinite (so far)
Everything we know about Halo Infinite — Master Chief’s next big adventure headed to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.
These tools will help you keep your PC's drivers updated
Windows 10 does a good job of updating your PC's drivers, but third-party tools can help you clean up and optimize your system. Here are the best tools to keep your Windows 10 PC's drivers up to date.