Skype version 8.0 Replacing Skype Classic/7

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Upgrade to the latest version of Skype for desktop
By The Skype Team | July 16, 2018

 
… Today, we are rolling out an updated version of Skype (version 8.0) for desktop that will replace Skype version 7.0 (also known as Skype classic).

We are encouraging everyone to upgrade now to avoid any inconvenience as only Skype version 8.0 will work after September 1, 2018. As we roll out improvements, there comes a time when we must shut down older services and application versions. This is done to ensure that all customers have the best possible Skype experience, and that there are no quality or reliability issues resulting from old technology and new technology interoperating. We know change can be hard, so we’re working to make the update as simple as possible.

 
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New accessibility improvements now available for Skype
By The Skype Team | July 25, 2018

 
Below are just some of the recent accessibility improvements available in Skype version 8:

– Improved navigation now makes the app easier to use. Navigation is smoother and takes a more natural left-to-right and top-to-bottom path.
– Additional information about messages that are sent and received is now displayed. For example, we now announce when messages are sent and when messages you attempt to send have failed.
– A number of new keyboard shortcuts make it easier to start a chat, answer a call, and navigate within Skype. Visit Skype support for a full list of shortcuts.
– Accessibility functionality was rolled out across all platforms. Skype version 8 is available on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and most recently iPad.

 
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5 users thanked author for this post.

abbodi86, jburk07, HiFlyer, Elly, satrow

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Kirsty,

I was on Skype with my Son on June 15, and had a notice from Skype that I needed to upgrade to Skype 8. My Son got the same notice about the same time. (Side note: He is a self taught IT guy for a major hotel chain where he lives.) He did a quick check and said that we both should upgrade when finished with our chat. I did the upgrade about an hour later and have had no problems since. It does APPEAR to respond a bit faster than the old version, but that is just MY opinion. (We all know about opinions, RIGHT ????) At this point, I do not see a problem with it.

Dave

4 users thanked author for this post.

jburk07, Kirsty, OscarCP, Elly

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Skype Classic v7.x client; End of life extended …
By @gborn | August 6, 2018

 
Microsoft received in its Skype support forum a huge negative feedback on the plans to discontinue the classic Skype 7.x client. Now Microsoft has added the following text:

******UPDATE******
Based on customer feedback, we are extending support for Skype 7 (Skype classic) for some time. Our customers can continue to use Skype classic until then.

Thanks for all your comments – we are listening. We are working to bring all the features you’ve asked for into Skype 8.

Anyway, the company wants to keep the Skype 7.x client alive for a while. So: In this sense, until Skype 7.x is discontinued again.

 
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4 users thanked author for this post.

HiFlyer, WildBill, Elly, jburk07

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Also, from zdnet.com:

Microsoft reverses its Skype ‘Classic’ phase-out plan for now
Microsoft is giving its Skype 7.0 ‘Classic’ variant for Windows desktop a temporary reprieve, following many users complaining of its impending September 1 shutdown.

By Mary Jo Foley | August 6, 2018

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HiFlyer, WildBill, Elly

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It’s somewhat fascinating to see how far down the rabbit hole of deceiving design Microsoft went starting with the whole GWX fiasco.

I read the page that the Microsoft person recommends for information about blocking updates to Skype. The “Disable automatic updates on Mac OS X” gets you to a page that tells you how to disable it. However, when going on the link towards “Disable automatic updates on Windows” what do you get? “How to upgrade to the latest version of Skype”….

Not a single word about disabling automatic updates. Just a guide for you to update to the latest and greatest version. Which is exactly the opposite of what a customer wants to inform themselves.

You can see for yourselves here: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA11026/why-has-skype-automatically-updated

Unless they do something about this really fast, besides prolonging support for version 7.x, Skype will crash and burn heavily while everyone else will be glad to take up their market share. And at the end they will be left confused: “Wait! Deceiving our customers and ignoring their consent didn’t get us up with income but killed the app entirely? How could we have possibly predicted this?!”

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Cybertooth, HiFlyer

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Microsoft’s latest update to Skype is all about simplicity

By Hamza Jawad | Sept 1, 2018

 
In July, Microsoft announced that it would be upgrading everyone on Skype classic version 7 to version 8, with initial reports that anything older than version 8 would stop working on September 1. However, it was later revealed that support for Skype v7 had been extended indefinitely based on customer feedback.

It’s fair to say that many users haven’t responded well to the fact that Skype Classic will soon be retired in favor of version 8, and it seems that Microsoft is trying to rectify the situation somewhat with the latest update to Skype. As such, version 8.29 is being touted as a return to simplicity, with the removal of features like Highlights and Capture, addition of simplified navigation, and more.
…
It seems the Skype team has realized that some of the design changes introduced in previous updates haven’t been received well by users, and this is why the shift back to “simplicity and familiarity” is being especially highlighted.

The aforementioned changes can be observed in version 8.29 that is being rolled out across all platforms. You can provide feedback to the update and mention further changes you’d like over here.

 
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HiFlyer, jburk07

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Skype Classic 7.x – support for this ends November 1, 2018 on desktop PCs:

https://borncity.com/win/2018/09/28/skype-classic-support-ends-on-november-1st-2018/

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/skype/forum/skype_featurems/more-info-on-the-update-to-skype-version-8/9cbb5e0d-9305-44f1-8c2a-1e73a7646ef0

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In memoriam: See you in Valhalla, Skype Classic. Version 8 can never replace you
Microsoft hammers the final nail into 7’s coffin

By Richard Speed | Nov. 2nd, 2018

 
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Skype Classic née 7, which tottered into the sunset on 1 November 2018.
…
Unfortunately, with Microsoft’s acquisition came the seeds of Skype’s demise as users knew it. The original peer-to-peer technology began to be phased out in favour of supernodes in Redmond’s data centres (in spite of privacy worries)
…
Citing worries over security, privacy and GDPR, the axe hovered over the neck of version 7 for a few months before finally descending on 1 November.
…
Amid the “this version sucks” wailing, the message is loud and clear: “Simply make Skype 8 like Skype 7”.

Sadly, Skype 7 (or Classic) has been taken from this world before version 8 could learn all its tricks.

 
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Elly, HiFlyer

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When MS bought Skype, I knew at once where things were headed. Uninstalled Skype and never looked back.

Now we somehow manage to survive with (egads) landline phones and, when necessary, cellphones.

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

1 user thanked author for this post.

HiFlyer

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I haven’t updated to V.8, but when I need Skype, I now use the browser web option as a compromise.

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