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.
The Xbox teases Phil Spencer might be hiding on his shelves
The Phil Spencer shelf conspiracy theories are still going strong. We've fully gone down the rabbit hole and here's what these potential teases could mean for the future of Xbox.
Go farm these 10 Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen weapons
In Destiny 2's Season of the Chosen, there are several excellent new weapons to farm that will enhance your killing power on the battlefield. Here's a look at the 10 best guns you can (and should) get your hands on, as well as what the best perk rolls for them are.
Join us LIVE for the Windows Central Video Podcast today at 2PM ET
We're LIVE with the Windows Central Video Podcast today at 2pm ET, make sure you're there!
Complete list of apps supported by NVIDIA RTX Voice
NVIDIA RTX Voice can remove the background noise from your streams, voice chats, and video conferences. Here are all the Windows apps with official NVIDIA RTX Voice support.