An entirely optional dark theme is among the latest improvements to land in the Skype for Linux Alpha client.
We haven’t blogged about some of the application’s recent (weekly) updates. Not because we don’t like Skype but because, well, they’ve been a little light on “notable” changes.
Bug fixes are always welcome, but they don’t make for compelling copy!
Skype for Linux Alpha 1.9 rolls out today and does give us us a few things worthy of having a waffle about, including the ability to mute notifications from a specific person or chat (mwhahaha), and the (much welcome) option to disable emoticons entirely.
There’s also an optional dark theme to try out. Head to Settings > Personalisation > Dark theme to toggle it on.
Other changes include support for entering /me commands, support for system HTTPS proxies, and improved messaging quoting.
Customs as to when exactly a message was sent? Hovering over the message time stamp will reveal a full date/time as a tooltip.
Download Skype for Linux Alpha 1.9
Skype for Linux Alpha 1.9 is a free download, available for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and up.
If you have an earlier version of Skype for Linux Alpha installed on your system you will receive this update through the standard Software Updater app at some point in the coming day or two.
If you don’t already have Skype for Linux Alpha — which as the name screams at you is in alpha — you can download an installer for the latest version from the Skype for Linux alpha website.
Before trying please be aware that the app cannot currently make, place or receive video calls.