Skype for Business now heading into preview on Android

Microsoft has announced the preview for its upcoming Skype for Business offering on Android. Skype for Business will come as an update to the existing Lync 2013 app when it arrives later this year.

Central to Skype for Business on mobile devices is the new dashboard. This is where you'll find your recent calls and upcoming meetings, as well as a contact search bar.

From Microsoft:

  • Contact search bar—Search your Global Address List by first name, last name, email alias or even a phone number! On iOS, your phone contacts are also included in the search.
  • Upcoming appointments—Here you can see your current and next meetings in your calendar. You can either click through to read more about the meeting or click the Quick Join icon to join the meeting right away.
  • Recent conversations—Makes it easy to refer back to your most recent chats, phone calls and meetings.

The In-Call and In-Meeting features have also been rethought. There are now larger buttons, making it easier to manage your calls. There's now full screen video, and its now easier to navigate between video and messaging with a simple tap.

IT administrators looking to have their company participate in the Skype for Business preview can nominate four Android users on the Skype for Business preview site. Preview applications should be in by Friday, August 14.

Source: Microsoft

Joseph Keller