It was in 2017 that Microsoft Skype introduces 'Highlight' feature, something that was a copy of Snapchat and Instagram Stories.
It was an attempt to help it enter the social media bandwagon, by making itself a bit like others in the field. But things didn't go well.
In an update, the company is removing the feature altogether because people weren't using it. According to Microsoft, the feature “didn’t resonate with a majority of users.” Users have until September 30th, 2018 to download any Highlights saved in the app.
In place of Highlight, Skype continues to focus on its core features, like calls and chats. In a push towards ‘simplicity and familiarity,’ Microsoft has also made a few other changes to the Skype interface. This includes a "simplified navigation" system, and interface that makes it easier to make it a call - by "removing redundant and underused features that create clutter."
“We needed to take a step back and simplify!” said Peter Skillman, Director of Design for Skype and Outlook.
Skype for desktop is also getting a taste of simplicity.
The changes prioritize calls, chats, contacts and notifications, and all should be reflected in newer Skype versions regardless of platform. Skillman explained this by saying:
Then there is some interface tweaks, which also includes a "Skype ‘Classic blue theme."
Microsoft experienced difficulties in wooing users of Instagram and Snapchat to use Skype, so the death of Highlights isn't at all surprising. Skype was facing an uphill battle against Instagram and some others that had years of head starts in this category.
Another reason was because Microsoft’s radical Skype overhaul in 2017 didn’t go down well. Everyone seemed to hate the design. So here, Microsoft has the rest of 2017 and early 2018 to tweak Skype on mobile and desktop and walked back its changes.
"We looked at how people use Skype apps, performing extensive testing across global markets and building prototypes to test new concepts," continued Skillman. "We are listening to your feedback and are wholly committed to improving the Skype experience based on what you are telling us."
Well known as it is, Skype has years of popularity in VoIP which can be traced back to 2013 when it was first released. But when others put social media at the front end of communication, Skype slowly deteriorates.
Skype lives in an era where there’s far greater competition. Aside from Instagram and Snapchat, it's also facing heavy rivalry from WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime, WeChat, LINE, Telegram and others. Those services have millions to billions of users.
Skype is not anymore that influential that it can adopt rivals' features and expect them to be successful. There are indeed, too many reliable alternatives, and Skype acknowledges that.