On Tuesday, Microsoft updated its Lync collaboration software for Windows 8.1, a relatively minor update that still makes one wonder why Lync and Microsoft's Skype aren't a single product.
Upgrading to Lync for Windows 8.1 is easy enough: on your Windows 8.1-powered PC, Lync will upgrade itself over the next 24 hours. The upgrade adds a bit of functionality, including the ability to take control of a shared screen in a Lync meeting.
Essentially, Lync and Skype do the same thing: store a list of contacts, who you can communicate with either via instant message, audio, or video conferencing. Both Skype and Lync can share screens. One advantage to Lync is that the app maintains a list of upcoming meetings, along with a way to launch Lync directly.
In May, Microsoft linked Lync and Skype, meaning that the two platforms can talk to one another; video calls can't be made from one platform to the other, however. Microsoft has pitched Lync at enterprises, with about 5 million users in May. Skype, which straddles the business and consumer worlds, has far more: about 300 million users or so.
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