Skype long ago became the market leader for calling friends, family and colleagues over the net and this final "Gold" release of version 5 sees it advance with video conferencing for several participants, an improved contacts list and many more additional features. Many Mac users are displeased with the interface changes to version 5 but it still remains an essential app for calling friends and family.
With Skype you can call other Skype users absolutely free wherever they are in the world thanks to P2P technology. Skype 5 brings together the main functions of talk, chat, video and file sharing in one main window. By default, your contacts list is on the left, the other basic functions are in the main part of the program window making it more streamlined and slicker than previous releases.
New in Skype 5 is the ability to video conference with up to ten participants. Group conferencing has also been made easier thanks to the redesigned call window which means that all distractions (such as other conversations) are minimized and only the names of participants displayed. However, although you can video chat with one contact for free, group video conferencing is now a premium feature which you have to pay for which will disappoint many users.
Skype 5 features a new contacts list sorted by category and you can add favorites to the top of the list. Searching for them has also been made easier by integrating them with your Mac address book. You can also now rename contacts so that you're not stuck with their default username. Finally, accessing Skype is now easier thanks to a mini Skype control bar that sits on top of any web pages, documents or photos you've got open although some may find this a bit intrusive.
Although Skype 5 adds many improvements, some people may miss the smaller and more discreet interface of Skype 2.8. There is a feeling that the developers have gone a bit over the top in expanding Skype and "hiding" certain features and it will take users of the old version some getting used to. The fact that video conferencing is now a premium feature will also annoy many faithful users.
Skype 5 brings video conferencing and a more intelligent user interface that once you've adapted to, should make Skype an even better way to keep in touch while you're away.
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mwbooth
RaymondGuy
stefana21
It crashes sometimes when I talk with somebody. I hope they'll resolve the problem soon. But without this problem, is awesome. Very easy to use, beautiful appearance and the new feature with video... More
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Can I use Skype on my IPad?
i want skype for mac 10.5.4
VoIP client supporting high quality protocols
Video chat done the Apple way
