Skype on Thursday announced a new version of its native Android app that adds portrait calling support on tablets. You can download the latest release now directly from the Google Play Store.
After passing 100 million downloads on Google’s Play Store, Skype launched for Android tablets back in November, at which point the company released the following video:
While the app included landscape support, there was no portrait option in sight. It’s better to have the former and not the latter, but it’s naturally better to have both options.
The official Skype for Android version 3.1 changelog is as follows:
- Portrait calling on tablets.
- New languages: Portuguese, Norwegian and English (UK).
- Performance improvements and fixes.
Just like most app developers, Skype rarely shares details about that last bullet point, but in this case it has given detailed release notes for build 3.1.0.6458. Here are the bugs that have been fixed:
- It was not possible to answer incoming calls with locked screen on Android 4.1.
- Skype did work with proximity sensor on Android 4.2.
- Incoming call screen was not properly aligned on Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
- Skype occasionally crashed when put to background on Android 4.1 and 4.2.
In other words, if you’re on one of the Jelly Beans (Android 4.1 and Android 4.2), you should definitely get the latest version of Skype. Again, if you have a tablet, this update is also definitely for you.
As Microsoft transitions everyone from its previous Messenger service to Skype, the company has to ensure it keeps its various apps updated so as to maintain the lead as the top communication tool. That includes improving the Skype app even on rival platforms.
See also – Microsoft confirms Messenger will be retired and users migrated to Skype on March 15 and Skype Click to Call gets Chrome, Firefox, and Windows 8 support, plus free number highlighting
Image credit: Michaela Kobyakov
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