Skype is shutting down a plethora of features on July 1

Skype is getting ready for a major makeover, specifically a youth-oriented makeover. While the company is introducing 'new' features, the platform is also getting rid of some old features.

We will first talk about the new features. Demonstrated at company's Build 2016 developer conference, Skype bots will soon help brands and businesses to insert bots into Skype video calls, enabling media-rich interactions with users in an interactive and fairly frictionless manner

Skype users will also be able to trade Highlights, the other name for Snapchat's Stories feature. However, unlike Snapchat, Skype Highlights will self-destruct only after seven days.

With the arrival of these features, the company says the owners of older devices may soon find themselves cut off. Microsoft has sent out messages, notifying users that it will be retiring a host of earlier iterations on July 1. Users on the older version will no longer be able to sign on.

As per the TechCrunch report, the full list of features being affected is as follows:

• Android 4.0.2 and lower
• Blackberry OS 7.1 and lower
• iOS 7 and lower
• Linux (Linux users must upgrade to Skype for Linux Beta)
• Mac OS X 10.8 and lower
• Symbian OS
• Mobile app for Verizon
• App on 3
• App on Telkomsel
• App on TV
• Skype phones: All Skype phones
• Windows10 task-based app
• Windows Phone 8.1 and lower
• Windows RT

The note sent by the company reads, "We’ve noticed that you are, or previously were, using an older version of Skype that will be permanently retired. As a result, after Ju‍ly 1, 20‍17, you will no longer be able to sign into these older versions. Recently updated or started using Skype on another device? Great, you can ignore this email."

"To keep talking with your family and friends, please update to the latest version. It only takes a few minutes, and all your contacts and conversations will be right there when you sign in."

The rollout will first hit the Android version, followed soon by an iOS version for iPhones and iPads.