Skype

A new AI tool allows you to create living avatars of any image that you can use in video calls. You can calibrate your face to anything from the Mona Lisa to randomly generated faces.

Microsoft just rolled out custom backgrounds for Skype video calls. The feature makes it easy to customize your calling experience, though you can't get it on Skype for Windows 10.

After years of stagnation, Microsoft has added the ability to create Skype group calls through its GroupMe app.

Almost everyone I know has a Skype account, but pretty much no one uses it to message people.

We asked you lovely folks what apps you were using to stay connected to friends and family while social distancing, and there were two clear winners: Skype and WhatsApp.

Microsoft will keep the Skype app around even as Microsoft Teams grows in popularity for consumers.

With more people staying home, Skype usage is up by quite a bit.

The federation between Microsoft Teams and the consumer version of Skype is just around the corner. Once it's rolled out, users on both services will be able to message and call each other.

Several Microsoft services have access issues right now, including Outlook.com, OneDrive, and Skype. Microsoft is "rerouting the impacted traffic to mitigate impact."

According to a recent update in a Skype forum, Microsoft still plans to bring usernames back to the service. A Community Manager states that they're "in progress" but face blocks at the moment.