Updated: July 13, 2020 (February 25, 2013)

Lync Roadmap Overview

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration and content management. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s technology... more

The Lync software and online services will receive important updates before the next major version, which is planned for the second quarter of 2014.

1. Lync Online customers will be migrated to a new version of the service based on Lync Server 2013 starting Feb. 2013, with migration likely to complete by the end of 2013. Lync Online will continue to receive regular updates around four times a year.

2. Major updates are planned for Lync mobile clients, including an update to the Lync multitouch (Windows Store) app in Feb. 2013, new Windows Phone 8 and Apple iOS clients in Mar. 2013, and a new Google Android client in Apr. 2013. The Windows Phone, iOS, and Android clients will be the first Lync versions on those platforms to enable voice and video calls over IP.

3. A new federation service will enable Lync Server and Lync Online customers to exchange presence and instant messages (IM) and conduct voice calls with users on the Skype online service, probably starting in June 2013.

4. Live Communications Server 2003, a predecessor of Lync Server, will leave Extended support Jan. 14, 2014. (Products that have left Extended support are not eligible for Microsoft product support except through custom contracts.)

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