Skype for Linux gets a taste of the new Skype

Microsoft’s new Skype is being rolled out to the desktop proper –if you’re on Linux at least. Microsoft debuted a Preview version of its new Skype app for Windows, MacOS, and Linux earlier this year, now the preview app is getting folded into the pre-existing Skype app the firm had for Linux users proper. It’ll bring the new Skype interface, as well as a dark theme to Linux alongside Skype highlights and the usual performance improvements.

“The next generation of Skype for Linux is part of our broader strategy to rebuild Skype from the ground up with cloud technology — a more reliable platform that can scale to a much bigger audience,” writes the Skype team in a blog post that is inaccessible at the time of posting.

Microsoft earlier re-designed Skype for all platforms, but the rollout has been slow, and complicated. Microsoft chose to release the redesign only on iOS and Android phones, with tablets keeping to the older designs for now. Despite that, Skype users still took to the redesigned Skype app like a cat takes to water and barraged the app store with negative reviews and feedback. Starting with iOS, Microsoft is beginning to redesign and rethink Skype once more. It’ll still be based off this new design, but Microsoft is presumably waiting for more feedback from its most dedicated Skypers before it rolls out the new-new Skype to users on all platforms.

Skype for Linux is available here.