Skype Releases Skype for Mac 8 and a Skype for Windows Preview

Skype is wasting no time in releasing new updated versions of their popular communications software (it is also still working on Skype TX for studios). The Microsoft owned software has incorporated the Microsoft Account into its login and continued to add new features. In the latest changes, the desktop app for the Mac and the preview version available for the Windows PC have been given a makeover to make them look much more like the mobile versions of Skype.

Skype for Mac 8.0 includes a refreshed look with a new interface including thumbnails displaying for each content and chat in modern speech bubbles. The style change is far more in keeping with how the Skype app looks on the iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms.

The white space is more evident in the design of the Windows preview version than that of the Skype for Mac 8.0 which is now officially released, so the Windows version may still go through some final GUI changes before the upgrade is released as a full release version.

Group Video Chat

Both the Mac and Windows version now include a better group video chat feature which is more interactive and easier to work with. Sharing documents with friends in Skype is made simpler too with large file icons displayed.

Easy Video and Texting Side by Side

For the Mac, the best improvement is the side by side option to have a video call running and also type text messages in the adjacent text pane, setup via one click.