Microsoft to Integrate Skype into Windows 8.1

Microsoft seems to offer all the best features in it's latest Windows 8.1. GizBot had done a detailed report on the preview version of the Windows 8.1 a day ago. To recap on the features incorporated in the OS, firstly it had an improved personalization features that would allow the users turn their PC or tablet into a picture frame by making the lock screen a slide show of your pictures. It would come with the search charm (powered by Bing) which will provide you with global search results.

Moreover, the PC setting have been updated to hold all the settings of the system which will save the time of going to control Panel. The Internet Explorer for Windows 8.1 also has been updated to IE11 which will now come with better touch performance, faster page load times and several other new features. Also, several design changes, like the automatic hiding of the address bar, have been made to the browser.

However, despite being acquired by Microsoft long time back, Skype one of the world's instant messaging service hasn't been fully integrated into the core Windows system. But worry not, Skype users, Windows 8.1 is likely to come with an integrated Skype and most probably as its default messenger. Reports also suggested that, Skype in Windows 8.1 can be expected to be present in its same form, as a standalone app. The latest Windows 8.1 is also said to integrate Skype more efficiently with other default apps in it.

Finally, Microsoft seems to be making an efficient use of Skype by coming up with the idea of combining it with the main windows platform. In fact, the existing preview versions of Windows 8.1 do not include the traditional built-in messaging app.

However, Verge report stated that the final version of Windows 8.1 would kill off the Messaging app in favor of Skype integration.

Moreover the reports also say that Skype would be more tightly integrated in Windows 8.1 enabling the users to answer voice and video calls from the lock screen. Furthermore, the built-in version of Skype for Windows 8.1 will likely work in the same way it does today, as a separate application with close ties to additional apps. Windows 8.1 is expected to debut later this year alongside new 7- and 8-inch form factors.