Filed under: Software, Video, Internet Tools, Universal Binary
Skype 1.5 beta and video preview
Skype, today, released two treats for us Mac users: Skype Beta 1.5 and Skype Video preview. Both are basically the same program with the exception that that the Video preview supports video chatting, though it is in it very early stages so it will crash (the Beta is more stable).
New in Skype Beta 1.5 is a totally new (and Macified) UI, detachable call window, the ability to import contacts from Address Book and Entourage, and a bunch more. Check out the changelog for the full dope.
Skype is free.
Thanks, Jesper.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike said 11:57AM on 7-25-2006
It work's great! I really enjoy the new interface, a lot more refined than the last one. Great work Skype!
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henrrrik said 12:07PM on 7-25-2006
Skype is nice, but communication shouldn't be based on a closed proprietary protocol.
Hopefully the Gizmo userbase will grow with the free calling deal.
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turtleJP said 1:26PM on 7-25-2006
I *heart* Skype.
Between it and mobile phones I was able to give old ma bell a kick to the curb.
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muaddib420 said 1:53PM on 7-25-2006
downloaded and tested this morning. video works great! some echoing with sound, but not bad. great interface with integrated chat, VoIP, and video chat all in one!
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Thayne Miller said 2:35PM on 7-25-2006
eh... it's a step forward, but I still prefer iChat for video chatting. It seems to sound much clearer than this beta of skype, and the video is much less "choppy" arguably because apple down-samples the resolution to allow for smoother framerate—personally this is much more preferable in my opinion. Still, this skype beta is a step in the right direction.
here's hoping for VoIP iChat in Leopard ;)
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Dave Jeffery said 2:48PM on 7-25-2006
There using a bmp file for an image on the skype video preview page... unforgiveable!
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Dave said 5:09PM on 7-25-2006
While iChat has better quality video, this is the first way to video chat with PC users that I am aware of... this is very nice.
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axel said 8:55PM on 7-25-2006
i saw that is issing the dial pad to call free to usa and canada or any other country regular phone paying
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axel said 9:37PM on 7-25-2006
looks like they fixed the issue cause i have a macbook and an imac, in the imac i installed the update today morning and was missing the dial pad ( still missing) and i just installed the update from their web site on the macbook and works ok and has the dial pad, looks like this guys in skype work good cause i told them inmediatly about the issue and now we see improovementes
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AC said 9:38PM on 7-25-2006
Actually you can use iChat to chat to PC's via AIM.
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Justin Cash said 10:02PM on 7-25-2006
Is it just me, or did anyone else notice, that now they are charging for calls to land lines. Wasn't the promotion (usa only i think), until the end of the year?? Or am I just loosing my mind. I am going back to the former version, and save my nickles on this one. :)
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eugene said 1:35AM on 7-26-2006
Calling to US phones still works - just enter the number in the search bar at the top of the window.
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Barb said 8:18AM on 7-27-2006
Well, I've downloaded Beta, am still having the same problems calling out. I find that I can only dial once, then if I try to make another call, I can't hear anything. The time clock ticks over, so I have made a connection. It is most frustrating to have to pull out my headphones, or even router, for a few minutes, to fool it. Has anyone got any better ideas?
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