“We’ve just released a new version of Skype for Mac, removing the beta label and introducing group video calling as part of our Premium package, as well as a number of user interface and other improvements,” Krishna Panicker reports via the Skype Blog.
“First, I’d like to say thank you to all of you who sent us feedback on the beta, particularly the positive feedback on group video calling,” Panicker writes. “t’s now available as part of our Premium package, that also includes live chat customer support. You can try it out for free for 7 days, and then purchase either a day pass starting at $4.99 (€3.49/£2.99)* or as a monthly subscription for $8.99 (€5.99/£4.99)* per month. New users receive a 7-day free trial.”
Panicker reports, “As a result of that feedback, we’ve been able to make a number of improvements in the latest version. The video above has all the details.”
Read more in the full article here.
Sorry… I’m sticking with the older version. It is less intruding and have MUCH less real state on my screen. The nerds at Skype never really heard the complaints regarding this flaws.
Since when did Skype demand a monthly fee?
Keep the comments coming? How?????
Skype is a member of a group of bastards who are determined to make it hard or impossible for the people who matter most — their customers — to reach them. PGP is the gold standard in this regard but Skype, PayPal, eBay and a growing number of other sites steadfastly refuse to put any email addresses on their web sites. Skype goes one step further and even does not have a “contact” link on the home page.
I need Skype for my mother in law to speak with our daughter. As soon as the new iPad with FaceTime comes out, I’ll get her one and will be happy to delete Skype from my HD.
The new UI is egregious – as is the claim they listened to feedback on it.
I’ve been using Skype 5 Beta for a while… it’s funny how everyone is attacking the UI. It’s really nice. You’ll get used to it, and won’t want to go back.
It’s just radically different.
TomCatMac is right. The new UI and set up is terrible. The combined buddy list and chat menu is very cluttered. I prefer having a separate chat window and buddy list. The way the new Skype is organized it is very hard to see who is online. I used the best for a while but switched back because i just kept the whole window minimized just to keep it out of the way.
Lachlan is also right. WOW the “changes” they made because of the feedback were very minimal and poor. They kept it mostly the same. Also now you have to pay to use group chatting, smells like fishing to me.
Watching the comments here should be interesting.
Sorry Guys, but I’ll be going back to the old version! … your charges are ridiculous.
My daughter and I video chat with my folks in the UK every couple of weeks. Problem is that is takes them (they’re 70+) about 30 mins to get their webcam on their PC working.
I don’t know whether it is the poor integration with their PC or the software. I want to get them a iPad or a MacBook once the camera version is released since it would be nice to talk to them without the inevitable troubleshooting.
Is just ridiculous. if you don’t really need to call using skypeout, ou use in the phone, stick with iChat, 10x better video conference :/
now you just need to buy a mac for your parents 🙁
This new version of Skype no longer recognizes my external firewire iSight camera that was functional with 2.8.0.863. Running 10.6.6. Deinstallation cost less than new camera …
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wow there combining the chat and buddy list windows? that sucks
i’ll but they “forgot” to add better scripting support too 🙁
I’ll be sticking to ichat and facetime
HELLO, MY NAME IS SKYPE. I AM A GIANT SCREEN REAL ESTATE SUCKING APPLICATION. DO YOU LIKE ALL MY WHITE SPACE. HELLO? THE OLDER VERSION OF ME TOOK UP ONE-QUARTER OF THE SPACE AND WAS EASIER TO USE. YOU CAN USE ME TO MAKE PHONE CALLS IF YOU CAN FIND THE DIAL PAD. HELLO?
After several back and forth emails with Skype tech support, Firewire iSight cameras (external) are not supported by this version of Skype.
From them:
Thank you for your reply.
We are sorry to hear that your iSight Firewire camera is still not being recognized by the newer version of Skype for Mac. We would be happy to assist you further on this.
Unfortunately, Skype does not currently support firewire devices. While they may be added at some point in the future, for now we recommend using USB webcams. This is why your camera is not being recognized.
If you would still like to use your firewire device with Skype, there are applications available that can emulate webcams and “trick” Skype into using them. You might want to try the following:
. http://www.trackercam.com/TCamWeb/tcaminfo.htm
. http://www.orangeware.com/endusers/webcamdv.html
. http://www.splitcamera.com
Please be aware that none of these sites are affiliated with Skype and therefore we cannot guarantee that they work or that support is provided for their applications.
Seeing that I’m using a Mac mini with an external iSight I’ll have to reinstall the previous version of Skype that worked just fine.
arrrrgh.
This version does not work with the original firewire iSight camera. Thank god for Time Machine.
Reverted back to 5.0.0.6378 beta as the ‘Golden’ version didn’t recognize my original iSight, either. How does a company screw something up like when it worked fine in the 5.0.0 beta?
‘Tards.
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