Instant messaging and chat history
Skype allows users to sendChat history
Skype keeps user instant messaging history on user's local computer, and on Skype's cloud for 30 days. Users cannot control how long their chat histories are stored on Skype's servers but can configure that option individually for every their device. Once user signs into Skype on a new device the conversation history is synced with Skype's cloud and stored locally. Skype allows users to remove or edit individual messages during one hour after sending; this affects messages already received by chat interlocutors as well as not delivered to them yet. Skype allows users to delete all saved conversation histories for the device.Emoticons and formatting
Users can send about 254 emoticons that are displayed either statically or animated, depending on user's settings. There are also hidden emoticons, 241 flags and 63 other. On special occasions, Skype introduces ''featured emoticons'' that are later either left as standard (''anger''), left as hidden (''mooning'') or removed (''captain''). Sending an empty message is not possible. Formatting text is possible:*text* creates bold text, _text_ creates italic text, text applies monospace font and ~text~ creates strikethrough text. Writing @@ at the beginning of a message will disable any formatting in the message. Placing two exclamation points and a space (!! ) at the beginning of a message will send the entire message in monospace font. A more convenient way to disable formatting for small pieces of text, is to use ```text``` instead of text. Turning off formatting permanently can be achieved with the command /wikimarkup off.
Quoting
Users are able to quote other messages by copying them and pasting them into a new message. A quote shows the message, the original sender, and the timestamp of the original message. The feature is seen as controversial and often useless because people have found ways to create custom quotes.Calls between Skype and landline / mobile phone numbers
Skype users can call landline and mobile phone numbers (previously known as ''SkypeOut'') using ''Skype Credit'' or a calling subscription. Additionally, users can purchase a ''Skype Number'' (previously called ''SkypeIn'' and ''Online Number'') that lets contacts call their Skype client from a landline or mobile phone.Outgoing calls
The ability to call landline or mobile phones from Skype was originally branded as ''SkypeOut'', but this term has been dropped in favor of ''Calls to mobiles and landlines''. Skype users can call phone numbers, including landline and mobile phones, for a fee using prepaid Skype Credit or a subscription (see below). This fee can be as low as per minute for most developed countries, and as high as per minute for calls to the Inmarsat numbers. In January 2007, Skype introduced a 0.03 connection fee for each call that connected to a landline or mobile number. After 180 days of inactivity, a user's Skype Credit balance is deactivated; however, it can be reactivated.Subscription calling plans
On 19 December 2006, Skype announced that there would be a new pricing structure in 2007. Details of a new scheme were released 18 January 2007. The initial press release was vague about the new scheme, but it did reveal that there may be a new connection fee. In January 2007, Skype launched ''Skype Pro'', a prepaid unlimited call subscription for calls that were made insideSkype To Go numbers
Users can set up a ''Skype To Go number'' which allows them to reach international phones numbers dialled from any landline or mobile. Skype provides a local number (the user chooses the area code) that then connects using Skype Credit to the number in another country. The service also provides the opportunity to dial any number abroad as well.Toll-free numbers
Calls to most toll-free numbers inEmergency numbers
Skype also does not support callingCaller ID for outgoing calls
Skype offers a feature allowing users to set the caller ID for outgoing calls to telephone numbers. Set-up verification involves sending an SMS text message to a selected mobile phone number, then typing that verification code into a web form. Since most regular home and business telephones cannot receive text messages, this feature is only available to owners of mobile phones.Incoming calls
Skype Number
''Skype Number'' (formerly called ''Online Number'' and until 2010 named ''SkypeIn'') allows a Skype user to receive calls to their Skype client (on whatever device) dialed from mobiles or landlines to a Skype-provided phone number. The number need not be in the same location as the user. For example, a user in San Francisco could create a local telephone number in London. Callers in London could then make a local call to reach that user (who answers on Skype in San Francisco). Skype offers numbers inSkype Premium
''Skype Premium'' originally bundled together a number of Skype's features including the selection of a calling subscription, the ability to make group video calls and the ability to screen share with up to 10 other people (person-to-person video calls are free), improved customer support and the removal of ads from the Skype client. However, the Premium product was removed in the summer of 2014 when group video calls and screen sharing were made free.Voicemail
''Skype Voicemail'' (now called ''Voice messaging'') was released on March 10, 2005. This service allows callers to leave voicemail messages for Skype users who are indisposed. Leaving voicemail messages became a free service in 2012.Video calling and screen sharing
Skype 2.0 and later, onSMS text messaging
Like many other instant messaging services, Skype clients can send SMS text messages to mobile phone numbers. In the United States, China, and Taiwan, Skype uses a "generic, pre-defined number" as the sender ID. In other countries, the message can be set to appear coming from a verified mobile number, allowing recipients to reply, or else show the first 11 characters of the Skype username. However, as of March 2015, Skype users cannot receive SMS, despite a continuing series of requests and complaints. Costs are generally lower than standard SMS charges; for example Skype's UK rate per SMS message including VAT is 6.4p, compared to standard rates of 10p or 12p; for international SMS costs will be significantly cheaper using Skype.Wireless hotspot network access
''Skype WiFi'' (previously called ''Skype Access'') allows users to pay a per-minute charge for Internet access at commercial wireless hotspots using Skype Credit. As of May 2010, Skype lists more than 100 participating networks. This replaced an earlier feature ''Skype Zones Beta'' which provided subscription-based access at wireless hotspots operated by Boingo and The Cloud. In February 2017, Microsoft announced plans to discontinue its Skype Wi-Fi service globally. The application will be delisted, and the service itself will no longer function after March 31, 2017.Application features
Skype Click to Call (formerly called the ''Skype Web Toolbar'') recognizes phone and Skype Numbers, and is available for Internet Explorer,Discontinued features
Skype chat
Skype supports group text chat with an interface similar to IRC with up to 150 people. The Macintosh version used to use the same message view style format as Adium, though with a different filename extension. Message view styles made for Adium could be installed for Skype, and they did not even need to be renamed. There were a couple of cosmetic bugs, but ignoring those, Adium styles worked without modification. This feature is not present in the Windows, Linux, andNot Available status
Since Skype 4, the "Not Available" status is supported. This status was removed in Skype 5. Most Skype versions, including version 4, broadcast a status of "Not Available" after a configured idle time, but Skype 4 no longer allows the user to edit this setting. The only way for the user to configure this idle time setting is to edit the IdleTimeForNA setting in the config.xml file. Since this feature was removed in Skype 5, the edit setting no longer exists in the config.xml file. Skype 5 and above display other users' "Not Available" status as "Away".SkypeMe! status
Skype let users set their presence indicator to "SkypeMe!" in earlier versions of Skype software. It invited calls from strangers. Setting one's status to SkypeMe! attracts a number of callers who want to practice a foreign language (usually English), in addition to the expected scammers and spammers. This feature has been hidden from being selectable starting with Skype version 4 and removed completely in version 5. Setting your privacy settings to "allow anyone to contact me" essentially does the same thing minus the presence indicator itself.Skypecasts
''Skypecasting'' was released on May 3, 2006. Skypecasts were live, moderated conversations allowing groups of up to 100 people to converse, moderated by the "host" who was able to control who was able to speak. The "host" would always remain in control, and could invite people into the speaking area. There was the functionality to mute and eject, both speakers and listeners, or add more people to speak from the listener section. Skypecasts did not support chat windows to share text information (such as URL) with participants. The Skypecast feature was removed in 2008.Skype Prime
''Skype Prime'' was aSkypeFind / business directory
''SkypeFind'' was a community-generated directory of business reviews in Skype 3.1. The feature was removed Skype for Windows 4.x client. The business directory replaced SkypeFind but has also been discontinued from version 5.x of the Windows client.Skype directory search
Earlier Skype versions allowed the user to search the Skype directory for random people to talk to. This feature was effectively discontinued since Skype 4.0. In current Skype releases you can only add contacts for which you know one of the following pieces of information: e-mail address, phone number, full name, or Skype name.See also
*References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Features of Skype Skype Skype Teleconferencing Videotelephony