Skype focuses on accessibility with latest version 8.0 updates

2 min. read

Published on November 1, 2018

published on November 1, 2018

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Microsoft has released another round of updates for their new Skype v8 app for desktop devices including Windows and Mac systems. The company says it has made the new changes to improve the app’s accessibility features. Here’s the full list.

Focus assist, which announces when you receive an incoming call for keyboard only and screen reader users.

Screen reader announcements from users in the active call list.

Navigational focus announcements within the contact list and settings to improve flow.

Announcing the name, content, and actions of a pop up dialog.

New message announcements when users are in another chat.

Smoother navigation that takes a more natural left-to-right and top-to-bottom path.

Displaying additional information when sending and receiving messages. For example, Skype now announces when messages are sent and when messages you attempt to send have failed.

Microsoft has also created an accessibility guide to help people move from the classic Skype over to the new version. The company officially ends support for the classic app as of today, and legacy mobile version will be discontinued shortly after.

Are you enjoying the new Skype experience, and do you think these improvements will make Skype better? Let us know in the comment section below.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.