14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s perception of Linux has changed completely in the last couple of years, and with the open-source world growing at a fast pace, Redmond had no other option than to adapt and look into ways to get closer to this continuously expanding community.
After announcing several implementations that nobody believed they were possible 10 years ago, including Bash on Windows 10, Microsoft is preparing more goodies for Linux, this time specifically aimed at Skype users.
In a teaser posted today on its Skype community forums, Microsoft announces “exciting news for Linux users,” but it doesn’t provide any other specifics as to what it might be referring to. What we do know, however, is that a full announcement will be made on the Community Q&A board on July 13 at 7 am PST / 3 pm GMT.
A new Skype client for Linux?
Since this teaser comes via Microsoft’s Skype channel, it’s not hard to guess that, most likely, the Redmond-based software giant is preparing the unveiling of a new Skype app for Linux, or at least an early version of such a client. It's also worth noting that the company is developing several of its new projects, including Windows and Office, with help from beta testers around the world using Insider programs, so a similar effort could be on the table for Skype for Linux too.
Skype for Linux has often been criticized, not only because it features an outdated UI but mostly due to the fact that it lacks several features that are already part of the Windows client.
Microsoft is working at full speed on getting Skype right for Windows 10 and is now developing a universal version running on PCs and smartphones, so a new Linux version would align with its plans to expand the VoIP client on as many platforms as possible.
We’ll find out everything about this exciting news next week, when Microsoft will share all details about how it plans to make Skype for Linux better.