Enhance Your Skype Chats: 3 Must-Have Apps

Skype's Versatility: Beyond Basic Communication

Skype functions as a complimentary application facilitating both video and audio communication. It’s widely accessible across numerous operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Google Android.

A key factor contributing to Skype’s widespread adoption is its provision of not only superior quality audio and video calls online, but also cost-effective rates for calls to traditional phones and mobile devices globally.

Frequently overlooked, Skype also possesses the capability to integrate and support third-party applications, extending its functionality.

Expanding Skype's Capabilities with Apps

This article highlights three beneficial applications designed to enhance your Skype experience. These apps provide features for recording audio conversations, organizing your chat logs, and enabling collaborative online whiteboarding during Skype sessions.

Useful Skype Applications

• Audio Call Recording: Capture important discussions for future reference.
• Chat History Management: Effectively organize and retrieve past conversations.
• Online Whiteboard Sharing: Facilitate real-time collaboration and visual communication during meetings.

These applications are designed to streamline workflows and improve the overall utility of the Skype platform.

Understanding Skype Apps

Skype apps represent compact software programs designed to integrate directly with the Skype platform, expanding its functionality. Currently, the Skype App Directory, though no longer available, featured a collection of 38 applications categorized across ten distinct areas, including business tools and language translation services.

The majority of these apps are compatible with the Windows operating system. A subset also supports integration with the Mac client, while a single app is specifically tailored for use on Google Android and iOS devices.

Platform Limitations

Regrettably, users of the Linux operating system are unable to utilize Skype apps at this time. This restriction limits the accessibility of these enhanced features to a specific range of platforms.

These applications were created to provide users with a more customized and efficient Skype experience. They offer a variety of tools to streamline communication and enhance productivity.

• Business applications help manage tasks and collaborate with colleagues.
• Translator apps facilitate real-time language conversion during calls.

The discontinuation of the Skype App Directory means that new apps are no longer being added, but existing users can continue to utilize those already installed. The focus has shifted towards direct integration of features within the core Skype application.

Managing Skype App Installation and Removal

Skype applications function as separate entities from the core Skype program, meaning they can be installed or removed without needing to close Skype itself.

Following installation, these apps will require permission to interact with Skype.

Should you initially decline access, it can be easily granted later through Skype's settings. Navigate to Tools, then Options, and finally Advanced.

Within the Advanced options, locate and select Manage other programs' access to Skype, found in the bottom right corner of the window.

Removing Skype Apps in Windows

On Windows operating systems, Skype apps can be uninstalled just like any other software package.

Access the Add/Remove Program menu to initiate the removal process.

These apps will appear as distinct, independent programs within the list. Removing a Skype app will not impact the functionality of your primary Skype installation.

Important Note: Uninstalling these applications does not affect the core Skype program itself.

Callnote: A Discontinued Skype Recording Solution

Callnote was a software application designed to capture audio from Skype calls and seamlessly integrate with Evernote. It was capable of recording up to eight concurrent audio streams. Call details, including participant names and call length, were automatically preserved.

The application could be configured to initiate recording automatically upon call connection. Callnote was compatible with both Windows and macOS operating systems.

Alternative: G-Recorder Basic

For users who do not utilize Evernote and prefer local storage of their call recordings, G-Recorder Basic presents a viable alternative. This application provides functionality for backing up chat logs.

Furthermore, G-Recorder Basic allows for the export of calls and chat history to a Gmail account, organized chronologically. It is important to note that G-Recorder Basic is exclusively available for the Windows platform.

• Key Feature of Callnote: Automatic Evernote integration.
• Callnote Compatibility: Windows and Mac.
• G-Recorder Basic Storage: Local computer or Gmail.
• G-Recorder Basic Platform: Windows only.

Both applications offered solutions for preserving Skype communications, though Callnote is no longer maintained. G-Recorder Basic remains an option for Windows users seeking call recording and history preservation.

SkyHistory: A Skype Chat History Manager

SkyHistory functions as a dedicated manager for your Skype chat logs. Its interface shares similarities with the familiar Windows Explorer, providing a user-friendly experience.

Users are able to navigate their past conversations either by individual contact or through a calendar view. Efficient keyword searches are also supported, alongside the ability to save important instant messages for future access.

Importing Existing Chat Logs

The application allows for the import of chat history predating its installation. This functionality, however, is contingent upon Skype having previously saved the conversation data locally on your computer.

Key Features and Benefits

SkyHistory proves to be a valuable tool for those who frequently need to revisit past exchanges.

It streamlines the process of locating specific information within older conversations and provides a convenient method for referencing details at a later time.

The ability to quickly search and bookmark messages makes it especially useful for maintaining a record of important discussions.

IDroo (Discontinued)

IDroo was a collaborative, multi-user whiteboard application designed to facilitate visual communication with your Skype connections. It enabled the sharing of a digital drawing surface, allowing for real-time drawing, writing, and image insertion across multiple pages.

Key Features

This application proved particularly useful for conveying concepts visually during virtual meetings and brainstorming sessions.

Whiteboard sessions could be preserved as native IDroo files for future access. Alternatively, they could be exported as standard image files for broader sharing capabilities.

Previously, users could reopen saved sessions to continue collaboration or present ideas at a later time.

Platform and Compatibility

It’s important to note that IDroo was exclusively developed for the Windows operating system.

Successful participation required that all involved parties have the IDroo application installed on their respective systems.

Currently, IDroo is no longer available for download or use.

Final Thoughts

Applications designed for Skype function in conjunction with the platform, enhancing its capabilities with additional features. While cross-platform compatibility exists for some, the majority are specifically designed for Windows operating systems. The range of officially supported apps is relatively limited, and many offer either restricted functionality or are available only as trial versions.

Despite these limitations, several completely free add-ons can prove to be exceptionally beneficial.

For those seeking mobile access to Skype, consider exploring these resources:

• A guide on initiating Skype video calls on Android Honeycomb tablets.

Further reading on Skype related topics includes:

• Instructions for managing multiple Skype accounts using Multi Skype Launcher on Windows.
• A tutorial on recording Skype video conversations at no cost with Vodburner.

The question arises: do messaging services like Facebook or Google+ present a genuine challenge to Skype's dominance? What factors would motivate a user to migrate away from the Skype platform?