Skype scraps support for older devices

Microsoft has announced it will cease to support its Skype app on Windows Phone and Android devices running a version older than Ice Cream Sandwich, as part of its plans to move its systems fully to the cloud.

This change will make more features available on the platform, such as mobile group video calling, Skype Translator and Skype Bots, but it also means support for older devices will be scrapped.

Although the majority of Android devices are running newer iterations of Google's operating system, it will come as a blow to those who are using a Nokia smartphone, for example.

"The pace of change in our industry means that the devices and operating systems used by the majority of people shifts with time," Gurdeep Pall, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Skype & Skype for Business division said. "Our commitment to deliver the best possible cross-platform experiences requires that we continually assess when it's time to increase our focus on the platforms of the future."

He explained the company will continue to support Windows 7, 8, XP and Vista, Yosemite on Mac, iOS 8 and Android 4.03, but any device not running these specified platforms will n longer be able to use the app.

Pall also revealed details about the company's investments into new technologies to make the experience of using Skype better. Microsoft will instead look at improving call quality and improving the responsive UWP app for Windows 10, Skype for iPhone, iPad and Android, plus its web-based native version that will be the only option for those using devices that are no longer supported.

"Skype's transition to the cloud is a huge technical endeavour, but one that is necessary and one we firmly believe in," Pall continued. "Our users are at the core of everything we do and this transition will enable us to meet their needs in the years to come.