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Microsoft today made Skype 4.2 available for Apple's iOS devices via the App Store. The key change to Skype is the addition of support for Microsoft's Messenger, Hotmail, and Outlook.com services. iOS device users can sign in with a Microsoft account and merge their Skype and Microsoft contact databases. The app also allows iOS device users to conduct instant message chats with Windows Live messenger accounts. Other new features include the ability to edit IM messages, add animated emoticons, and create a new account from within the app itself. Skype 4.2 for iOS is a free download from the App Store.

Skype has just updated its iOS app, making it much easier to merge Skype accounts with your Microsoft account.

Microsoft recently decided to phase out Windows Live Messenger in favor of Skype, finally putting the $8.5 billion acquisition to good use, which allows users to Skype with Messenger, Hotmail, and Outlook.com contacts.

To enjoy the update, users can sign into Skype with their Microsoft account and all the information, including history and contacts, will immediately be merged with their Skype account.

Microsoft is working towards retiring its Windows Live Messenger client in favor of Skype. The Verge has learned through several sources that Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger service will be retired in the coming months and integrated into Skype. Microsoft has slowly been moving people over to the Messenger backend for Skype over the past few months, with around 80 percent of all IMs sent on Skype being handled by Messenger.