Skype for Business is (finally) coming to Mac.
This week, Microsoft updated its timeline for the new Skype for Business Mac client. It has 3 previews coming up, with an RTM date in Q3. You’ll find the details at ZDNet: Microsoft closing in on Skype for Business for Mac public preview 1 – ZDNet.com
Skype For Business
And on the Office.com Blog’s April 2016 update: New to Office 365 in April—Skype for Business Mac Preview, bringing collaboration to the forefront in Office and more – Office Blogs
Looks like they’re planning to build the Mac client out in stages.
Stage 1: Meetings. Starting with Meetings means Microsoft is tackling the service with the biggest bandwidth requirement first. Aardwolf mud client for mac. Smart. Meetings have the most moving parts, which means the most bugs to hammer out.
Stage 2: Messaging, Contact Lists. 4-6 weeks after Preview 1. Messaging is relatively simple by comparison to Meetings. But it (and Contact Lists) are crucial components to iron out.
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Skype for Business Preview on Mac: Testing Stage 1 Last month I blogged about the new Skype for Business on Mac preview program. I got into the testing beta, and received the Stage 1 Meetings client a short time ago.
Stage 3: Voice. 8-12 weeks after Preview 1. The Mac users I know pride their machines on simplicity (and not without merit). For this client to work on Mac, voice MUST be easy to use. Otherwise the whole client is handicapped.
I borrowed this image from the Office Blog to point something out. If this is what we expect for Preview 1, then I note a couple of differences between Skype Meetings on Mac and on PC.
Nice clean start. Which, according to Mary Jo at ZDNet, is the whole point. “Microsoft isn’t simply retrofitting the Lync for Mac product base, officials said. Instead the team has built the Skype for Business for Mac client from the ground up, they said.”
But Wait! The Preview has Arrived!
The ZDNet article updated only hours after publication. Microsoft has begun the preview!
Rdesktop mac. Naturally I raced over to the preview site: https://www.skypepreview.com
I signing up for the following:
Microsoft Skype For Business Mac
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(I wanted to sign up for the “New firmware for Polycom VVX Phones” too, but our new phones haven’t arrived yet…)
Hope to hear back very soon.
Why am I talking about this now? Because I’ve decided to conduct a little blog experiment.
• If your admin has so configured, you can view the remote session, respond to remote control notifications and terminate the session. Allow Remote Control Requests • Endpoint Manager allows admins in your company to remotely access your Windows/Mac device in order to solve issues, install software, run system maintenance and more. Download endpoint security client. • You will be asked to accept or decline the initial connection request: If no response is given, the connection will go ahead after the timeout period expires. • Click 'Allow' to accept the remote control request Once the connection is established, a notification appears on your desktop.
When I’m accepted, I intend to document all my Mac testing in blog posts. Devices in use are my iPhone 6, one MacBooks, and one desktop Mac. I may even try Skype for Business out my personal iPad (an iPad 2 – older, but good for perspective).
Initial criteria are as follows.
As the next 2 previews come out, I plan to document the changes and how my devices react to them.
Great fodder for the blog, right? But I’d like to go even further. I want to hear from you!
Join Me in Testing – Preview Skype for Business on your Mac and Share Your Findings
If you sign up for any of the following at https://www.skypepreview.com:
Download Skype For Business On Mac
Please contact me. I’d like to interview you as the testing progresses. I can even help you out with your testing.
Skype For Business Mac Client Preview Download
The point? Document everything here on the blog. Multiple user experiences of Skype for Business on Mac. Valuable information for potential Mac customers, and for Microsoft’s testing team.
My standard guest policy applies: First name only. Business name only published with your express permission. No personal and/or proprietary information is ever shared on this blog, or with any other party. I don’t even add you the Skype4B Insider mailing list (unless you ask me to!).
Join us back here next week! What will we have – another Skype4B for Mac update? A good how-to post? You never know until you click.
Skype for Business Preview on Mac Coming Up. Join Me in Testing!
Microsoft has said that is preparing to launch the first public preview of its new Skype for Business app for Mac devices. While Skype for Business replaced Lync last year on various platforms, including iOS and Android, Mac users been forced to continue using the ageing Lync for Mac 2011 client on their devices.
In a recent presentation, details of which were published today by Mary Jo Foley over on ZDNet, Microsoft shared its planned release timeline for the new Mac client.
Skype For Business Mac Download
The company said that Public Preview 1 will be arriving 'real soon now', and is expected to include core functionality for meetings. A second preview, which is expected 4-6 weeks later, will add support for people and messaging and contact lists.
Skype For Business Download
A further preview release will come 4-6 weeks after that, adding support for calling and telephony, with the final RTM date penciled in for Q3 2016.
Skype
The timeline is subject to revision based on how each preview release performs in real-world usage, but according to MacHow2.com, Microsoft has said that it intends to make the Mac version its 'most modern Skype client', matching - or even exceeding - the features and functionality available in Skype for Business on Windows.
Users - including both organizations and individuals - will soon be able to sign up via SkypePreview.com for the first preview release.
Source: Mary Jo Foley (ZDNet) / MacHow2.com
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