Microsoft has made Skype video calls interoperable with Lync thereby allowing users to place cross-app calls to their friends, family and co-workers.
“Today marks the next stage in this journey: we’re excited to announce that Skype users can now video call their Skype contacts on Lync, and vice versa!” Skype’s Elaine Ansell wrote in a blog post. “This means Skype and Lync customers can reach even more colleagues, partners and customers, streamlining communications across both work and life.”
Microsoft’s latest move is a part of the company’s aim to eventually replace Lync with Skype. As a milestone on this path, Microsoft announced earlier that it was going to wind down the Lync branding and instead replace it with Skype for Business.
Microsoft has assured that Lync users needn’t worry about the rebranding as it won’t be taking away the robust features offered by Lync.
Redmond has also revealed that once rebrandking is over, Skype for Business will bring with it Skype icons for calling, adding video, and ending a call. Prior to video calls, Lync and Skype users have already been able to send instant messages and place audio calls.
Microsoft also released an updated version of Skype. Version 7 brings with it enhanced touch functionality allowing users to scroll, browse, and make calls on touchscreen-supporting PCs.
There are those users who have been requesting a compact view in Skype, and heeding to those requests Microsoft has added a compact view providing users with ability to fit more contacts and chats on a screen.
