Groping Skype's new beta

Doug Mohney — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:49:44 -0400

Skype's second beta for Version 4 is out on the streets and reviewers are giving it a hands-on workout.

Skype 4.0 beta 2 has undergone several changes to the user interface and fixed some bugs. Beta 1 had a much larger main window to make features more accessible and to provide video calls with a larger initial image. Testers didn't like the new interface taking up so much space on the desktop, so the new window went on SlimFast, combining the contact list and conversation windows and allowing users to resize more parts of a window. Notifications have also gone through some tweaking.

"Extras" and Skype Me functionality is still not available in the new beta and there's no ability to host video calls with more than two participants.

For more:
- PC Magazine's hands-on review of Skype 4.0 beta 2. Article.

Skype 4 Beta Appears

Doug Mohney — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:58:42 -0400

Skype has released the Skype 4.0 Beta for Windows, focusing on better video calling and conversation management.

The focus on video is driven by 28 percent of Skype calls in the first quarter of 2008 were video calls. The new version starts up a video call with a single click on a button with an IM conversation next to the video call can be generated with one click from one window. New "unified conversations capabilities" pull IM voice, video, file transfers, SMS and calls together to allow users to easily move in and out of conversations between single users or groups. There's also additional ease of use features for installation, finding contacts, and adding new devices.

Beta for the new version is expected to span the entire summer, given the complexity of all the changes made; there are also some functionality holes in the current beta. No final release date has been set for the Windows version and no timeframes given for Mac and Linux versions of Skype 4.0.

Skype has been dogged because eBay hasn't figured out how to make big money off the $3.1 billion purchase it made in 2005. However, Skype expects to make $500 million for 2008, at least boosting its value if it is sold off down the road.

For more
- eWeek reviews Skype 4.0 beta

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