If you use Skype to keep in touch with friends, work contacts and distant relative you should check for updates because there are new versions for both Mac and Windows.
Version 5.8 for Windows and 5.5 for Mac were released a few days ago. There aren't any huge differences in the new versions and some features are only useful if you buy Skype credit, but it's always useful to keep up with the latest developments and every update is an improvement to this useful program.
The Windows version number is greater than the Mac one and it seems that new developments are always made on Windows first and then the Mac follows some time later. It's a bit irritating if you use the Mac and I was on 5.3 and have only just upgraded to 5.5. Even 5.5 on the Mac doesn't appear to have as many features as Windows 5.5 though. The interface is slightly different and the left panel in Windows has tabs for Facebook and recent activity, a Voicemail menu item and so on. Surely it wouldn't be difficult to make them the same? And why is Edit Profile and Edit Mood Message not on the Edit menu, but on the File menu? Surely the Edit menu is for editing things?
Anyway, back to the updates. The new Mac version has a slightly updated interface and it looks better and is easier to use than the previous version. Select Contacts and the tags are shown across the top and you can select them to show just those contacts, such as those online, your Facebook contacts, Address Book contacts, groups you have created yourself and so on. On the Home screen you can show Skype, Facebook or all contacts, and see Facebook posts. You can post to Facebook from within Skype making it easy to chat to non-Skype friends. Apart from the user interface tweaks, there is increased video stability and quality, the ability to accept voice or video calls, easier microphone control and more. They are all small tweaks, but they are useful.
Version 5.8 for Windows brings group screen sharing which allows up to 10 people to view the same screen, although you do need Skype Premium rather than the free version. This means that you can share photos and presentations more easily with the updated version. You can hide offline Facebook contacts and just see who is online, there is support for full HD video calling, support for video and audio calling in Facebook, and support for Bing Bar. There is also push-to-talk. Game players asked for this feature, so when you are playing a multi-player game you can press hotkey to turn the microphone on and say something to your mates.
Go and get Skype, it's free.
Monday, 6 February 2012
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