Skype will let you text your friends through your PC

Microsoft released an update to the Insider program and Skype Preview for PC and Mobile that allows you to send and receive SMS messages directly from your PC or Windows Phone.

To be clear, this is different from just sending text messages through Skype’s paid service. Instead, it’s sending messages through your phone, via your PC, much like Apple’s Continuity or Pushbullet on Android. Windows 10 already supports barebones SMS notifications via Cortana, but Skype’s implementation allows for attaching media, as well as viewing your conversations.

Insiders will have to set Skype as their primary SMS program from the app’s settings.

Microsoft says that it will bring SMS relay to the public over the next couple of months, as well as some new features and improvements, including a few features already in this preview build including hiding conversations, an add contact button and being able to start Skype calls directly from websites. Other things coming to future builds, according to Microsoft:

• Improved messaging – message sent status, copy and paste quoted messages, read/unread line indicator, preview a URL in chat, keyboard shortcuts, drag and drop of files and photos, drag and drop of URLs from browsers, and video messaging.
• Easier calling – start call or conversation from profile page, group calls continue even when the initiator leaves, audio/video device settings, loudspeaker improvements.
• Additional Windows Mobile updates – transparent tile, video calls will default to loud speaker for video calls, and improved back button navigation.

No word on if SMS relay is coming to Android and iOS, but we’ve contacted Microsoft for more information and will update this post when we hear back.