Once the communication tool of choice for online collaborative teams, Skype has been recently struggling to maintain its market share with the entry of various competitors that are now encroaching on its niche. To remain competitive, it needs to give the best experience to its loyal users, which may mean removing some of the app's unpopular features such as the Highlights feature.
Skype will be removing the Highlights feature from the app, according to an Android Police report. The feature will no longer be included in the app's feature with the Skype v8.29 which is now rolling out from on all the platforms.
Microsoft added the Highlights feature along with other functionalities around a year ago, according to 9TO5Mac. Highlights works like the popular Snapchat and Instagram Stories feature so it was likely designed to compete with these messaging app in that area. However, it now appears that Microsoft is changing its mind and has decided that putting in tons of features found in other apps might not be necessarily a good thing.
Microsoft's reason for Highlights' removal from Skype is simple. Well, the software company wrote in a post the feature-rich app has expanded its functionality, the presence of these features has also made the app needlessly complex. Customers complained that Microsoft has overcomplicated Skype's core functionalities and the company simply puts it, "We needed to take a step back and simplify!"
Microsoft wants to simplify navigation. In the post, the company explained that "We are refocusing on the fundamentals of why most people use Skype-to make a call (often with video) and/or send a message."
The new version will have a clutter-free look. Microsoft promised that it has removed underused and redundant features from Skype. These streamlined navigation tweaks will hopefully make it easier for people to connect.
Users will now find only be three buttons at the bottom of the app for Chats, Calls, and Contacts. The new look has removed both the Highlights and the Capture features to make the user interface more efficient. For those who are wondering why the two features were specifically removed, Microsoft said that they "didn't resonate with a majority of users."
While the new app might sport a clutter-free modern look, Microsoft still believes that its users' preferences are equally important and has left tons of customization options in place. For example, there are numerous color themes to choose from, though they are toning down some of the more decorative elements to come up with a more refine and elegant look.
Fortunately, Microsoft is kind enough to give Skype users to sort things out. The company says user have until September 30, 2018, to download any saved Highlights from the app.
