New update releases for Skype Linux client

Aug 5, 2016 04:57 GMT  ·  By

Ever since it launched the alpha version of Skype for Linux, Microsoft has been releasing updates on a weekly basis, so today the company is introducing version 1.4 of the application with improvements and one exciting feature.

It’s worth mentioning from the very beginning that this new version continues to be part of the alpha development stage, so it goes without saying that bugs and issues are very likely to be experienced - Microsoft, however, calls for Linux users to submit feedback and help improve the application based on their suggestions.

Skype 1.4 for Linux alpha adds the ability to change the online status from tray, so you no longer have to open the app to do this. Simply right-click the tray icon, and you’ll find options to quickly change the status to whatever you want.

Additionally, the tray icon also comes with a little animation when there are unread notifications, so you’re going to notice a new icon when this happens. This should help you never miss notifications, without the need to open the app.

Support for bots

But the biggest star of this update is the support for bots, a technology that Microsoft is pushing really hard for and that the company thinks could be the future for applications like Skype.

This new feature allows users to chat with bots just like with a regular person but have them perform a series of tasks, such as managing the calendar, searching for holiday destinations, looking for tickets, and so much more. Recently, the company has added support for several new bots developed with help from partners, so this new Skype version for Linux provides access to all the bots.

The new Skype for Linux 1.4 can be downloaded right away, but keep in mind that Microsoft continues to be asking for your feedback, so if any bugs are discovered while using the app, make sure you submit a report to the company to help them fix everything before the next update.

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