Zoom gained unprecedented popularity amid the coronavirus outbreak as people were forced to conduct business meetings and give out lectures online. Strangely, one application already in existence before the pandemic was overlooked by users despite its fairly ubiquitous status. Yes, Skype is still around, and Microsoft wants the world to know that its in-house tool can do the things that Zoom can.
In these times that social distancing has become a must, Zoom emerged as the go-to application for virtual conferences because it's easy to use. However, the security concerns that recently came out provided a window of opportunity for the alternative apps to get noticed.
One that immediately comes to mind is Skype, which ironically is a platform already known to many. Using the app is straightforward and for many years, Skype has a strong following in the business world. But along the way, the Microsoft-owned tool gradually lost traction.
Now that Zoom and similar apps are preferred by users, Skype is attempting to recover some ground, according to Mashable. In a recent reminder via Twitter, the app said connecting with people is easy with Skype through a feature called Meet Now.
There is no need to sign up or download as the service can be accessed through a web browser, said the latest claim from Skype.
However, while the boast proved true in the web-based client, using the same feature on the application was fraught with issues. One problem likely to be encountered is the inconvenience of starting at an endless loop, meaning Meet Now in the app version is unreliable.
"When I selected the option of opening the Skype app, the meeting wouldn't open and I was left with an eternally spinning wheel of death that I just had to exit out of," the report said after trying out what was claimed as a possibly a better service than Zoom can offer.
Skype getting left behind by the competition is symptomatic of how Microsoft mismanaged the platform. The alternatives out there introduced improvements in the years that passed while seemingly, Skype stagnated.
As things stand now, Skype has a lot of catching up to do. PC World said, the app remains an option for users focused on non-taxing utilization such as calling friends and family members. It can also be used on some business functions but there are limitations.
"It's even good for small teams who need to catch up when away from the office. Video and audio quality are good, though group chats of over 10 or so people can freeze up," said the report.
On the other hand, Zoom while far from perfect better performs when deployed for professional use.
"The app is set up to be a professional tool ... and includes more professional collaboration tools ... It's an easier platform for an administrator to monitor for a large business," the report recommended.
