Farewell to Android
Klout is FarmVille for grown-ups
Does Flash matter on mobile?
What is Twitter?A few days ago Skype, the most popular and reliable VoIP app in the world, was updated to version 5. I already had a sneak peek at the new version thanks to the beta released weeks ago, but Skype 5 Final brings more new features: a refreshed interface design that makes the program easier to use, and integration with your Facebook profile – though that might not be such a good idea after all.
After a fairly quick installation, you can login with your username and password, or create a new Skype user right on the spot. You’ll immediately notice the new interface with a cleaner, more streamlined design. The app feels clearer and easier to use.
The new Skype interface is divided into two main sections. The left sidebar displays your contacts and your most recent calls, while the area on the right is divided into several tabs: Skype Home (which is basically Skype advertising its own products), your Skype user profile and another tab to give feedback about the program.
And yes, there it is: the Facebook tab. Integration with Facebook is exactly one of the two new features in Skype 5. This integration means that you can now not only access your news feed (i.e., the “Wall”) from within Skype, but also call any of your friends who have their telephone number in their Facebook profile.
To phone a Facebook friend from Skype, simply click the green Call button and select the phone number you want to use. Of course, these calls require you to have Skype Credit so that you can phone landlines and mobile phones. But if those friends have also included their Skype usernames in their profiles, you can call them on Skype right away – for free.
With Facebook on Skype you can update your status, leave a comment on your friends’ posts and like updates and wall posts, all within the Skype interface. However, the moment you click on someone’s name to check their profile, you’ll need to open your web browser. The same happens when you want to update your information, search for something or someone on Facebook, check your private messages or keep track of notifications and friendship requests. So we could say the Facebook integration in Skype is some kind of watered down version of the real thing that, honestly, doesn’t add that much to the original app.
The other big improvement in Skype 5 is videoconferencing. Skype had already started focusing on video-calls in its previous version, with a totally revamped interface designed around this feature. The video-call window took almost the whole interface and became the most important function in the program. Skype 5 continues this trend with its new redesign and puts videoconferencing again on the spotlight.
Besides its growing importance, video-calls in Skype have now an added value: you can have a video-conference with up to 9 people (plus your own video stream) at the same time, which makes a total of ten different video screens on your monitor. I guess it can get pretty messy!
Being able to video-call two or three people simultaneously is great. But I think that going beyond that number makes the experience too complicated and confusing. In any case, this new group video calling feature may not last long in Skype 5 – at least for free. As we can read on Skype’s official blog, “With the new version of Skype, you’ll receive a free trial of group video calling in beta”. Notice the use of the word “free trial”. Also, be aware that this feature is only available on computers with new Intel processors: Intel Pentium D and Pentium Extreme processors on desktop machines, and Intel Centrino Duo on laptops.
Besides these two main features, Skype 5 doesn’t really include anything else worth mentioning. The app’s new look and feel makes its main functions (voice calls, video calls, IM and screen sharing) easier to use and more intuitive. But I must say I was a bit disappointed with Skype 5.
Don’t get me wrong here: there are great features in this new Skype, and the program still offers excellent sound and video quality in your calls. But somehow I expected something else. I was hoping for a bunch of outstanding changes, something you could expect from what is considered to be a major release. And an interface redesign and Facebook integration didn’t make up for it. Not to mention the fact that group video calls are available for free only for a limited period of time - 28 days, to be precise.
I’ll still use Skype though. It’s by far the best VoIP app I’ve tried so far, the most reliable and the one that offers the best sound and video quality. I’ll just hope for better versions – and try not to have such high expectations next time.
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Well having a look at the new Skype 5 i must also say i am a tiny bit disappointed as i have expected alot more. For example the Facebook intergration could have been a bit more interactive. Like i find it silly to only have your news feeds. The way i see it is Skype is trying to get more people to purchase Skype credits. So basically the main thing you can do is call your Facebook contacts. What Facebook should have done is create their own facility to video call whenever any of the contacts are online instead of just "chatting". Or even better what would have been great would be to be able to videocall a "Facebook" contact using "Skype". Is it just me or is the video quality slower than the previous Skype version?! But overall the presentation is great and the look when making a call looks better!
downlord software
Skype is becoming bloatware and uglier with every major version. That's why I am still sticking with 3.8. And they should open their protocol API, so that public could make and have a choice between different clients just like IRC/MSN/ICQ etc. users can.
hellow
down load softwer
Nov. 3, 2010 Skype's 5.x version sucks. I've heard that Skype v4.0 is 'generally' more stable. What are your comments? Eric D.
I am having trouble accessing Skype on this PC
I have not often used Skype,so the chnage to 5's interface makes little difference to me. Does it work? On my Dell Lat. Pentium 600MHz it uses ALL the CPU cycles. Ok forphone, but not enough for screen sharing. On my Toshiba amd quad core at about 2 GHZ there are plenty of machine cycloes, but it crashes, unexpectedly. IMHO premature release.
this new version realy sucks , I was used to old one 4.2 and this is totaly different !(Awful)
Been prompted to download 5. Downloaded and super super disappointed that I did. Poor new layout, have to click to access volume then click and slide, no good when peoples volumes often need tampering during conversations. This annoying 'facebookitis' problem is destroying good software also. If I want facebook I will open it in a web browser, having half a facebook on my skype just confuses and takes up space. And why do I want to tell skype whhats on my mind, I thought it's primary pupose was VOIP not being a social networking solution (although I'm aware these two things are closely related) I just don't want to be 'poked' by my nan or sent farmville crap on skype now as well. I also miss being able to right click and screen share....was it really necessary to get rid of that one line in the right click menu? And lastly and most importantly, can help but feel like I'm beta testing skype 5 for them now rather than playing with a full release. Pretty buggy and a good bit more lag versus convos I've had on the last ver.4 release... Will be downloading version 4 again for sure.
I am very upset that Skype forced me to downlead the new version even though I clicked on NO THANKS. It f....ed up my Skype altogether so I can't call my clients abroad! Way to go Skype! Pls don't mess with what's already great. While your developers tinker with the aplication you don't realize that we actually use it for business. Select beta users and test with them, not with paying customers! I have wasted 2 hrs today trying to fix it from cleaning up the system, to downloading again! Extremely disappointed!!!
skype now = spam ... no forced upgrades. You suck skype! Google Talk here I come.
I had a hard time connecting to skype last week so I finally decided to download a new one.. Now, it's been a week of downloading and all I get is can't connect to server while installing it.. This is so disappointing!!!
Shouldn't have updated, now microphone doesn't work even though tests OK locally but not with Skype test service!!!!
my skype is nt connecting...........
versions 4.2 and 5 have been trying to connect for the last two days, what is going on ! ! ! it seems like all my christmas calls to the family will have to be canned this year. . . .
It's funny how people don't observe fundamental things and talk about new functions while they don't even think of the old functions. For me one of the most important thing is a snapshot - it simply does not work with new skype. I wonder how to download or reverse to version 4?
icant dounloud skype why?
What's with Skype 5 "free trial" for a limited time for free? Will this be forcing people to pay for this service.If so then this really SUCKS big time. Now that we are hooked on Skype they are taking advantage and trying to make more money. Anyhow version 4.2.0.187 is still better than 5.
ithink itis so buty and fine
hi pleas tel me how to danloud skype mesenjer?
Had a free account with skype and want to be able to use it again with my last user name and password
With skype 5 idle memory usage shot up to an appaling 90-110mb. Skype 4 used about 13-20mb. I have now removed this bloatware and gone back to v4.
i'm a long time skype user. when the latest major update of skype for mac was announced, i immediately downloaded the app. but the next day, i had to uninstall skype 5.0 and re-install the old version. i'm not happy with the version 5.0--well, i appreciate the video conferencing feature--but the footprint is too big and everything else is not customizable. it would be best if skype keeps the old interface and just add those new features without mixing up the menus and tabs.
im new skype user
very gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood
hey please send me the link or procedure to download skype5
Hey there, You can download Skype from us, just hit download and follow on screen instructions! http://skype.en.softonic.com/
can you take and SAVE video snapshots with this new version of skype? If yes, where are the photos saved?
This is a truly awful version. The default includes video, the audio/video tab does not allow you to turn it off. You have to search around to find the option to turn it off. Simple text chat is now a complete mess. And almost impossible with multiple users at the same time. How do I downgrade to the useable version?
i like sakp
Skype used to be intuitive, but it's not anymore. The OS X version 5 looks like one of those ugly, messy windows application where you can't find anything you are looking for! I tried v.5 for a week, hoping I would like it better a soon as I got used to it - that didn't happen. Now, I'm back with Skype 2.8.0.866 for OS X. Actually, I don't know anyone who didn't re-install the old version…
@Alvira, You're not alone! I've written a post on this issue here which might interest you.
my facebook tab doesnt connect to facebook,what should i do? also i want to know how to change my skype name, please help!
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Habib
Skype 5 is a disaster. It has become one of the most unintuitive products I've ever used after the relatively good v4.0. I often wonder how to navigate, or don't know why its beeping etc. The multi-person video freezes often. And I pay for multi-person video :(
Good!
This app eats more than 100 MB of memory Hey, wake up there! it's not AutoCAD, it's a messenger I'm not complaining about gui - let it be, but give me the chance to disable it
good good skype good gooooooooooooooooood
good good too good
yarrrrrrr it can't loaded in our computer
ineed
good
hello