Microsoft removes Skype ‘clutter’

Microsoft has redesigned Skype yet again to remove “redundant and underused features that create clutter”, hoping to win back users who have switched to other services in recent months.

It follows heavy criticism from users who disliked the design of Skype 8.0, finding it too messy and packed with unwanted features. As a result, Microsoft will remove the Capture and Highlights tools from the desktop version of Skype.

Tapping the Capture tool launches the camera, making it easier to take photos and videos. You can then annotate what you captured, or decorate it using digital ‘stickers’.

The Highlights tool lets you post a stream of photos and videos that friends can view, and react to by submitting emoticons, such as ‘smiley’ faces.

Both tools were added last year as Microsoft tried to make Skype more attractive to younger people, many of whom prefer the messaging app Snapchat, which has similar features to make communication more entertaining.

Microsoft admitted its error of judgement in a blog post ( www.snipca.com/29050), saying the extra features “overcomplicated” Skype, and that making phone calls “became harder to execute”.

Its new aim is “simplified navigation”, which it aims to achieve by “refocusing on the fundamentals of why most people use Skype - to make a call (often with video) and/or send a message”.

In the new desktop version (8.29) the Chats, Calls, Contacts, and Notifications options are in the top-left corner of the window (see screenshot), which Microsoft claims makes Skype easier to use.

The redesign is the latest U-turn from Microsoft, as it copes with a furious backlash from Skype users.

In August, it said it would allow users to continue using ‘Classic’ Skype (version 7), rather than force them to update to version 8, which contained the Capture and Highlights tools, but lacked popular features such as the ‘split window’ view. . ‘Why I stopped using Skype’