Skype 2.8 for Android with faster startup experience and improved IM user interface
A new version of Skype for Android has arrived. Grab the updated Skype 2.8 for Android now from Google Play and share your experience with us on the Skype Support Network.
The main improvements over the previous version are:
- Improved start-up time
- In-app notifications of Skype app updates
- Instant Messaging user interface improved
- Widened the support of video rotation to many more devices
- Updated the list of devices which are video capable
More details on the new improvements in the app:
Improved start-up time
We have improved the start-up experience by optimizing the loading of the application. This should give a notable gain to the start-up experience when using faster devices.
In-app notifications of app updates
You will now receive a reminder within the app when a new version of Skype is available for your device, simplifying the upgrade process.
Instant Messaging user interface improved
We have implemented a more compact view so that you can view more messages on the screen. In addition, there are changes to the color scheme and to some of the notification messages.
Video rotation supported on most devices now
Video rotation is a feature that ensures that the video on your device will display correctly regardless of the orientation in which you hold your device. We have improved our video engine’s support for video rotation based on how you hold your device, which now covers most devices in the market.
Updated the list of devices which are video capable
A number of new devices have been video-enabled by default. New supported devices are:
- Samsung Captivate Glide
- Samsung Exhilarate
- Samsung Galaxy Note (GT-N7000, SGH-I717)
- Samsung Galaxy Player
- Samsung Galaxy S WiFi
- Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
- Samsung Vibrant Plus
- Samsung Vital
- Sony Tablet S
For other devices, you can enable video from the settings panel, but we can’t confirm the video calling experience on these devices.
On the Skype 2.8.0.920 for Android, we have also fixed a number of issues. The notable issue fixes are:
| Category | Description |
| Generic | Addressed many issues causing Skype to crash |
| Calling | Hardware volume buttons did not work on tablet devices |
Known issues for this release are:
| Category | Description | Workaround |
| Calling | Audio call volume could be low on some devices | None available |
| Group conversation | Skype may crash when starting a new group IM conversation | |
| Video | Video could be upside down on a few devices | Control the Video Rotation in the settings panel |
Ambivalent on the new IM styling. The app does seem to load faster, but actually loading any text into the IM windows is ridiculously slow. Sending messages is atrociously slow, or maybe the IM window isn’t updating properly. I have to back out of an IM with someone, then go back into it (waiting 15-20 seconds for the conversation to reappear) to see the message I just sent.
Going into someone’s Contact window and pressing the “Send IM” button takes 15 seconds to actually switch to the IM view.
Battery consumption is still astronomical. It’s used 10% of my battery just trying to load my IM history from today, and it’s still not done. It’s rocking a constant 15% of my CPU when I’m not in the app.
I’m on a Samsung Galaxy 2 X, so it’s not exactly old hardware.
This update is atrocious!
Dear Dan,
I’ve a Mediacon 810 with Android 4 and I’ve updated the Skype to the version 2.8 and the same problem occurs as before, the communication start I’m able to hear a “Hello..” and then the sound drops, I only can use the chat. Is there any solution at this? Many thnaks Alex
Thanks for the hard work, but I’m having and issue after update:
I previously had video on both the FC and BC. The rotation was always a problem. When this fix said that was working on “many more models” I was excited. Updated and now I have ZERO video on either camera. Just a blank window. Model: LG P999 Android: 2.3.3 Kernel: 2.6.32.9 Mod: Weapon G2x with LG Camera apk installed
So, the hard coded inaudible ring tone is a known issue, and you still haven’t managed to make it user selectable? Selecting a media file is a trivial feature of many apps. How can this be too difficult for your developers?
Guys, the reasons I am keeping Skype shut down on my 600MHz Android mobile are few and simple:
I hate to be boring, but nobody cares about duplicating the update funcionality from Google Play – please, do something about these two and you’ll be cheered plentifully.
Keeps crashing on 3G. No force stops, only crasing.
Device: Samsung Galaxy S I9000
Android 2.3.6, rooted