Chat and VoIP app
Skype is an audio and video solutions provider developed by Skype Technologies. It combines peer-to-peer technology with a centralized cloud computing service. It offers VoIP, instant messaging, and file-sharing capabilities. The telecommunications application is compatible with Android 4.0.3 or higher as well as iOS, Windows, and macOS devices. On top of Skype-to-Skype calls, you can also use this to call mobile and landline numbers. Skype is tied-in with other Microsoft applications such as Outlook, OneDrive, Xbox Live so you can immediately log-in the app with your Microsoft account.
Chat
Skype messages will be stored in your device’s memory card and in the Skype cloud. This allows you to access old messages, files, and media on different devices. In addition to plain text messages, you can right-click on text bubbles to directly reply to a message. This is helpful in providing context for each of your messages. Your response will appear underneath the text you clicked on.
All your messages can be edited, deleted and formatted within one hour after sending. Formatted messages are similar to HTML. For example, text encased in asterisk signs will create a bold text, while text encased in underscore symbols will italicize the text. You can also type emoticons as symbols and Skype will send the animated version of it. Developers have fitted Skype with its own set of 254 emoticons. Otherwise called the Emotion Picker, it is placed on the left-hand side of the text box. The picker also offers GIFs, stickers, and other emojis.
You can also send SMS messages through Skype. This will be useful when you do not have access to your mobile phone or have run out of SMS credits. Simply click the user’s name on the chat header, and select the Send SMS button. It’s important to note that only those with Skype Credits can send text messages, while users that have both Skype Credits and a Skype Number can send and receive SMS texts.
Calls
Similar to the SMS feature, you need Skype Credits to call a mobile or landline number. The app features a dial pad on the Calls tab. This allows you to type in the number you want to call. You can also receive calls from mobile and landline numbers. All the caller needs to do is dial in your Skype Number.
You can call other Skype users using the app’s audio and video communication tools. It’s important to have an ARMv7 processor and 32MB free space in your Android device to be able to run video calls. You can have a maximum of 50 users in a Skype conference call. In both one-on-one and group calls, you can blur your background using the app’s depth sensing feature.
All-around communication tool
Skype is a handy text, video, and voice chat application. Its chat functions can help you avoid miscommunication through its direct reply and formatting capabilities, while its video and audio calling feature gives a reasonable 50-user capacity per call. Lastly, you can dial in mobile and landline numbers so you can always stay in contact with those without access to Skype.
