14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just launched a new reminder for Skype users, recommending everyone running the VoIP client on Windows and Mac OS X to update to the latest version of the application as soon as possible.
The reason was announced earlier this year and basically comes down to the company's decision to discontinue old versions of Skype running on these two platforms.
Skype for Windows desktop 6.13 and below and Skype for Mac 6.14 and below would be retired at a yet-to-be-specified date, but Microsoft clearly wants to minimize losses and issues update reminders with every single occasion.
In today's statement, Microsoft says that it “wants everyone to experience the best Skype has to offer, from enhanced quality to better reliability to improved security,” pointing out that the latest versions of the application are pretty much the easiest ways to do this.
“Everyone can benefit from the latest improvements, we’ll retire older versions of Skype across all platforms, including mobile devices, in the near future. It’s easy to update Skype; once you do, you’ll have access to the latest features our team has worked hard to deliver,” the Skype team said today.
Microsoft is believed to be working on a series of major improvements to the Skype desktop client, including a new visual interface that could bring it in line with other modern products released by the company in the last couple of years.
The new appearance, which has already been spotted by some users, adopts a significant makeover for the conversation window, which more or less reminds of the Metro version of Skype that runs in full screen and boasts an interface that's completely optimized for the touch.
At the same time, Redmond is also said to be preparing other new features for Skype, but the company has decided not to talk about them, so more details would most likely be provided in the coming months as Microsoft completes their development.
Some of these improvements are very likely to be implemented as part of the Windows 9 rollout in early 2015 when several apps are expected to be revamped.
Word is that Windows 9 could bring a completely new UI with a flatter taskbar and new icons, so it's only natural to expect Skype, whose Modern version is the default messaging client in Windows, to get new features and improved functionality on both the desktop and the touch-optimized environment for tablets and smartphones.