Microsoft's Skype Team shared the news that they will release the first version of the Skype Universal Windows Platform (UWP) Preview app to Windows Insiders in the coming weeks. Microsoft has simplified the look of the app by removing duplicative and unnecessary menus to prevent confusion between them. The global menus are now in a new, single Settings menu, and you’ll see contextual menus appear in upcoming releases.

This version includes the following functionality:

• Sign in with your Microsoft Account and link a Skype ID
• Show and change your availability
• See a list of your existing Skype contacts
• Initiate a chat with anyone in your contact list
• See that the other person is typing
• Logout
• Make one-to-one voice and video calls and send messages
• Personalize your experience with emoticons and Mojis
• Send photos
• See notifications for incoming calls and messages outside of the app
• Participate in existing group chats

More flexibility, sharing and group features will come in the next couple of releases, including:

• Start a chat with anyone using Skype or not using Skype
• Create a group and send group messages
• Group voice and video calling
• Share your screen, files and video messages
• Manage notifications from individual chats
  

What about Windows 10 Mobile? Microsoft will first release on Windows 10 PCs and shortly, you’ll be able to use the same Universal Windows Platform app on your Windows 10 Mobile devices.