Microsoft announced updates for its Skype bots on July 8, Friday that allow robotic members such as quizmasters to participate in group text conversations through a trivia contest. The new functionality allows Skype developers to open Slack-like automated conversations to friends and co-workers, so office workers could order a pizza during an online conversation. Meanwhile, other new features allow users to see photos and receipts like Facebook does for Messenger bots.
Microsoft also released Skype Meetings last week. The new bot functionality will probably benefit third-party brands that can offer services through chatbots.
Microsoft's goal is to make online conversations a computing platform. The software giant's CEO Satya Nadella shared the company's vision at its Build conference in March, in which digital assistants like Cortana work with bots to perform tasks such as booking flights and making hotel reservations.
Skype bots also allow users to log into hotel loyalty programs and other services. This makes it easier for them to communicate with a business without needing to log in several times. That is because account and payment data is carried over.
Microsoft is also updating its Bot Framework, according to PCWorld. It is a set of developer tools to make it easier to build chat bots for Skype and other platforms.
Bot Framework is now better integrated with Skype and makes it easier for bots to send messages with cards, carousels, and other clickable items.
The developer of Windows OS and Xbox consoles is also adding natural language processing to its bots. This will allow them to figure out complex conversations.
Several tech companies including Facebook, Google, and Slack are developing new bots. Sometime in the future they could have the same money-making aptness as mobile app stores.
In related news, Slack recently added a new Message Button feature that works with current bots on its platform, which provides a better user interface, according to MSPoweruser. Slack developers can now add up to five buttons for each interaction.
The company has three million active users and the number is rising fast. Microsoft recently bought social network LinkedIn and has often been suggested as a possible buyer of Slack.
Here's a video on Facebook's Messenger bots: