Back in August, Microsoft released its new Skype for Business app on Windows Phone 8.1, and released a preview of the iOS version. Skype for Business replaced Lync as Microsoft's corporate communications platform earlier this year, and after a few weeks in preview, its app has now officially launched on iOS.
As Microsoft explains, the new app makes it easier than ever before to get to contacts and arrange meetings:
An updated dashboard brings the contact search bar, your upcoming meetings and most-recent conversations to one place. The contact search bar allows you to search your Global Address List by first name, last name, email alias or phone number. Your recent conversations are at your fingertips, no matter which device you had the conversation on. You can also easily glance at your upcoming appointments—simply tap on the left for the meeting details or on the icon on the right to join immediately.
Microsoft also boasts of an "enhanced in-meeting experience" with full-screen video and larger, easier-to-use controls, as well as simultaneous viewing of shared content. And in an upcoming update, the company promises that you'll also be able to view PowerPoint slides while in a meeting - but for now, this can only be done via desktop sharing.
In its blog post, Microsoft went on to highlight some of the security and authentication features in Skype for Business on iOS:
Office 365 customers can now take advantage of Active Directory Authentication Library (ADAL)-based authentication. This enables your IT admin to configure multi-factor authentication for the Skype for Business iOS app, increasing the security beyond just a user name and password. With multi-factor authentication, users are required to acknowledge a phone call, text message or an app notification on their device after correctly entering their user name and password. Other Office applications also support ADAL-based authentication, which allows for consistent authentication across your organization. Learn more about setting up multi-factor authentication using ADAL.
You can download Skype for Business as a Universal iOS app from the iTunes App Store. If you're currently using Lync 2013 on your iPhone, you'll get upgraded to the new app automatically; however, if you're using Lync 2013 on your iPad, you'll need to download the new app manually from the App Store.
Microsoft says that its Skype for Business app for Android will be available "later this year".
Download: Skype for Business (iTunes App Store)
Source: Office Blogs
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