After A Short Delay, Microsoft Launches Skype 5.0 For iPhone

Microsoft has finally released Skype 5.0 for the iPhone/iPod touch. The new upgrade features a “modern hub centric” design, performance improvements, and more. Announced earlier this week, Skype 5.0 originally launched on the App Store on Tuesday. However, the update was quickly pulled in some markets, but has since returned. Full features include:

Overall performance improvements - faster start up and fluid animations.

A new modern hub centric design putting recent conversations first - just swipe to see your favourite people or contacts.

Richer and more reliable messaging: create groups, share photos (even to offline contacts) and video messages.

In-app notifications for quick conversation switching, and in-app controls to manage notifications.

A new simplified, modern voice and video calling experience.

Of this new update, Skype says:

We’re excited for you to see how the new app has been redesigned to put your conversations first, providing you with a smoother, leaner and more integrated experience. Skype for iPhone is up to five times faster and it is also more stable and more reliable. Navigating through the new UI is easier and more fluid. Whether it’s creating a group chat, sending a photo or starting a video call, the new Skype for iPhone has been rethought to be simple and intuitive.

Take a look: http://youtu.be/I8kQplrFvEk Skype for iPhone can be downloaded now for free on the App Store. The iPad version of the app will receive a similar revamp “soon.” See also: Scanbot Goes Universal, Gets QR Code Support And Promises OCR 'Very Soon,' Duracell Brings iPhone-Compatible Wireless Charging To US Starbucks Stores, and Amazon Launches Prime Music For Subscribers, Updates Its Cloud Player iOS App.