Skype has rolled out a fairly major update for its Android app, completely overhauling the user interface for tablets and adding a few new features and improvements. In addition to the redesigned tablet look at feel, Skype 3.0 for Android now supports Skype’s SILK technology - a wideband audio codec which significantly improves audio quality – and adds a new auto-answer option for incoming calls.

The app also supports logging in with your Microsoft account (formerly known as a Windows Live ID), and doing so will unlock additional functionality, particularly integration with the Messenger IM service. Microsoft, of course, plans to discontinue Messenger clients in early 2013, so this is just the next step in the process of merging the two instant messaging and VOIP services.

Skype 3.0 is now available for download from Google Play for “the most popular Android tablets, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, the Google Nexus 7, Acer Iconia, Asus Transformer Prime, Motorola Xoom and Sony S.”

[Google Play via The Big Blog | Skype Garage Blog]