With Windows Live Messenger standing on its final legs, a newer version of Skype has been released with a few key updates that are bound to excite old and new users alike.

Skype v6.1 doesn't bring along many features; however, the ability to integrate the app with Microsoft Outlook is a big deal. Still, it would have been better off if Skype is integrated with Outlook.com as native emailing applications are becoming a thing of the past.

Here what Microsoft had to say about the new version of Skype:

It's easy to get in touch. We have integrated Skype and Outlook to display contacts' online status, contact information and mood message within the Outlook contact card.

Call any phone. When you want to call someone on their mobile or landline from Outlook, Skype will initiate the call for you. You can call anyone as long as you have their contact information in Outlook, but you don't need to be friends on Skype. You can use your existing Skype credit or subscription to reach them.

Stay in touch with your Skype contacts. When you want to contact anyone in your Outlook contact list who is already on Skype, you can instant message, audio or video call them. To do so they need to be in your Skype contacts list to reach them.

Add a new contact. We have made adding a contact easier than ever. You can now add someone by searching for them directly out of your contacts list. If they're not in your contact list yet, results will come up so you can add them in 2 clicks.

New profile with more accessible account information.  Finally, we have updated the account information area to make it easier to navigate around your account data.

Nothing major, but the Microsoft Outlook integration should be enticing. You can download it here.