14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently announced a series of improvements for its Skype messaging app on Android, but this time the update isn’t supposed to bring new features.
Instead, the focus has been on optimizing Skype for older Android versions, which continue to be powering an important number of devices currently in use.
Specifically, Skype is getting performance optimizations on Android devices 4.0.3 to 5.1 worldwide, and the software giant says the rollout will begin in the next few days, depending on the market.
As for the optimizations that this new version includes, it’s mostly about reducing disk and memory usage, as older Android devices are typically low-end models that come with limited storage and memory. As a result, Microsoft says Skype should feel snappier and offer better audio and video quality, though this obviously remains to be seen in real life.
Nearly half of Androids running on older versions
Additionally, all these Android phones should see an important boost in terms of performance in challenging network conditions, as the company has been trying to reduce lag and network hiccups.
“In the coming weeks, the update will be rolled out around the world, so no need to worry if you are not seeing the update just yet,” Microsoft explains, adding that users can give a try to the new version right now if they join the Skype Insider program.
Even though it might seem like a waste of time to optimize app for so old Android versions, it certainly isn’t, as official data shows that an important number of devices is still running on these releases.
For example, Google claims that no less than 17% of devices are powered by Android 4, while Android Lollipop (5.0 and 5.1) currently has a share of 24.6%. This means this new update is aimed at no less than 41.6% of Android users, who are yet to upgrade to the latest versions of the operating system and whose devices would certainly benefit from software optimizations for better performance.
