News

Microsoft Kicks Off Preview for Skype for Business on iOS, Android

• By Gladys Rama
• August 12, 2015

Microsoft's ongoing rollout of its various Skype for Business solutions hit another milestone this week.

On Tuesday, the company began accepting applications for the preview program of its Skype for Business apps for iOS and Android mobile devices. Interested IT pros should go to this page, where they can nominate up to eight individuals in their organization (four for iOS and four for Android) to receive access to the preview.

Applications to become part of the "first batch of participants" will be accepted until Friday, Aug. 14, according to Microsoft's announcement. Microsoft will begin notifying those accepted starting on Monday, Aug. 17.

Skype for Business is Microsoft's next-generation unified communications (UC) platform, replacing the old Lync Online and Lync Server products. Microsoft released the Skype for Business client this past April, followed by the Skype for Business server in May.

Microsoft is also currently running preview programs for three new Skype for Business features: "Skype Meeting Broadcast," "PSTN Conferencing" and "Cloud PBX with PSTN Calling."

A Skype for Business mobile app has been available for Windows Phone users since early July. For Android and iOS users who are currently using Lync 2013, the new Skype for Business app will exit the preview stage "later this year."

"Skype for Business mobile apps work for anyone on Lync Server 2013, Skype for Business Server 2015 and Skype for Business Online," Microsoft said.

Microsoft's announcement described a few changes in the preview, including:

• a new dashboard that makes it easier to scroll through contacts, calendar appointments and recent conversations
• the ability to search contacts using e-mail addresses or phone numbers
• full-screen video calls
• easier toggling between video and content panes