Skype updates iOS app with new calling experience

The Skype app for iPhone and iPad users has been updated to version 4.6 and is up for download on the App Store.

Skype for iPad v4.6 is compatible with the iPad, iPad 2, iPad mini and the latest iPad with Retina Display. The app has been updated to include a new calling experience. Users can mark all their recent chats as "read" in a matter of a few taps. One-to-one chats appear in the correct order in the app now.

A new calling experience

In addition to this, Skype has resolved a host of previous issues. The dial pad and in-call buttons now appear fine when a user taps on the screen during a call. The popover will be removed from the incoming call screen. Messages that are non-edited will not be marked as edited, once the save option is pressed. Skype is also currently working on fixing a number of issues. First among these is the issue wherein the last scroll position of the user is not saved. If the user has added a phone number to his profile while chatting, the Chat/SMS toggle button currently is not displayed until a user logs in again. The issue preventing a user from reading unread messages in iPhone is being worked upon too.

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Last month, Skype's iOS app was updated to bring in the ability to log in to Skype using one's Microsoft accounts, thus giving iOS users the same ability that is available on the desktop client.  In the previous update, developers announced that users could chat with Messenger, Hotmail, and Outlook.com contacts as well as have the ability to sign in and merge with their Microsoft account. There is also the ability to create a Skype account directly from the app itself, making it a simplified procedure if they are new to this VoIP service. Users can also tap and hold on instant messages to edit them, choose an emoticon while typing an instant message, animated emoticons for devices with a Retina display, edit saved phone numbers right from the dial pad.

The  video messaging feature allows users to send across short video messages to their friends, if they are not available for a live chat. This support on Windows, though, is conspicious by its absence, and Skype had earlier confirmed that it was working to bring that ability to Windows by the end of April this year.