Most consumers know Skype as a text and video messaging app but those who pay closer attention would realize that Microsoft has implement a number of interesting tech into the app such as the Skype Translator. There are more coming to the app though as shown through the stage demo at Build 2016’s keynote today.
With the objective to make Skype smarter, helpful, and entertaining, one such feature is called visual video mail which is essentially a combination of video message and text transcript that is produced by the same tech powering Skype Translator. In addition to that, the next gen Skype app also features integration with Cortana.
Cortana is not alone though as the app also features integration with bot with the help of the newly announced Skype Bot Platform which is the latest addition to Cortana Intelligence Suite (formally known as Cortana Analytic Suite). Together, they will apparently allow users to do more things directly from Skype and at the same time, allowing businesses to interact with their customers on the app.
One such scenario that Microsoft has used for the stage demo is travel arrangement. In the demo, Cortana helped users schedule their travel dates on their calendar and then roped in a bot belonged to users favorite hotel for them to book their accommodation.
Even though the demo was shown using a Windows 10-based smartphone (a Lumia 950 XL, to be specific), these features will appear on Skype for Android and iOS as well. However, no mention on when the next gen Skype app will be delivered to users although users already able to experience the preview version of the bot integration through the latest version of Skype for Windows PC, Android, iPhone, and iPad starting today.
