Microsoft has confirmed it will drop a number of unpopular features from its Skype messenger service after listening to feedback from users.
The tech giant updated Skype in June 2017 with a few Snapchat-style features such as a Highlights, which did not go down well with some Skype users who said the company had overcomplicated the service.
"This past year we explored some design changes and heard from customers that we overcomplicated some of our core scenarios," said Peter Skillman, director of design for Skype, in a blog post.
"Calling became harder to execute and Highlights didn't resonate with a majority of users. We needed to take a step back and simplify!"
Microsoft said it has removed redundant and underused features from the new navigation model, to reduce clutter and make it much easier for users to find and connect with contacts.
It has also decluttered the mobile app interface and switched to three buttons for Chats, Calls, and Contacts along the bottom, removing Highlights and Capture.
There has also been some interface tidying for the desktop version with buttons for Chats, Calls, Contacts, and Notifications moved to the top left of the window. There is also a noticeable change in theme, where the visual range of the gradients has been toned down and Microsoft has also reintroduced a simplified Skype "Classic" blue theme and reducted decorative elements, such as impractical notifications.
"We are listening to your feedback and are wholly committed to improving the Skype experience based on what you are telling us," Skillman added.
"We hope this updated design makes Skype easier to use and provides a better Skype experience. This is only the beginning and you can expect many more updates over the next several months as we continue to simplify and improve the core experiences around calling, chat, and contacts."
