Features
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License:
Free
- Editor's Rating:
- Average User Rating:
-
Downloads:
4,813,791
- Operating Systems:
Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Additional Requirements:
No additional requirements
- Limitations:
No limitations
- Date Added:
June 30, 2009
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Previous Versions:
Publisher's description of Skype
From Skype:Skype is software that enables you to make free calls anywhere in the world. Skype uses P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you with other users. It offers several features, including SkypeOut calling from Skype to regular and mobile phones worldwide, conference calling, and secure file transferring. You can also now share your screen with other users. Skype calls focus on video and audio quality, and secure the calls with end-to-end encryption.
- See more CNET content tagged:
- IM,
- P2P,
- Skype,
- conference,
- video
Editor's review of Skype
stars
- "Slash your long-distance bills"
- Reviewed on: July 1, 2009
- Version reviewed: Skype 4.1
After Skype's previous offering took it a step back on the feature set, it's a relief to see version 4.1 reinstate some of those missing baubles--like accessibility provisions, birthday alerts, and the ability to send a contact to other Skype users. Version 4.0 saw Skype reworked, stripped down to its core competency (and most formidable challenge) of delivering high-quality audio and video calls over the Internet. The improved sound and video quality, were notable in our tests, the result of Skype 4.0's sound engine and bandwidth manager.
Public chats have also been temporarily omitted in version 4.x, IM still isn't terribly interactive, and the Skypecast partyline throwback has gotten the kibosh. Those chafing against the larger block of interface that consolidates the classic two-pane look into a single window can also split them in two.
But the real news in this minor version is a major feature: screen sharing. Screen sharing initiates a video call, using that technology to broadcast a recording of your screen--either a portion or the full screen--to one other viewer. Screen sharing has some limitations: you can't simultaneously see a video of your buddy and their desktop, and since only one viewer at a time can peep your screen, you can't use it as a free replacement for collaborative Web conferencing. It doesn't help that the picture quality is still choppy and fuzzy, in both partial-screen and full-screen view modes. Make no mistake, though: it's a great feature that we're happy to see added, but we'll be even happier to watch it improve.
Skype's central theme, though, is cheap calling from the desktop. Anyone who's interested in talking for free from Skype-to-Skype, or cheaper by purchasing Skype credit to call land lines and mobile phones, should give Skype a try. For international callers, this program is a no-brainer solution for slashing those long-distance bills.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 910 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 9 user reviewsSee all 9 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Skype 4.1
Pros: Straight forward use and not complicated.
Cons: None that I can find.
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Version: Skype 4.1
"Voicemail is an excellent new addition"
Pros: Improved voice quality and less distortion
Cons: Occasional start up problems
Summary: Definitely an improved version
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Version: Skype 4.1
Pros: xxx Love it
Cons: xxx Not much
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Version: Skype 4.1
"Only marginally better than Skype 4"
Pros: I think the sound is much improved.
Cons: I don't find it as flexible as previous versions.
Summary: For some obscure reason, when I downloaded Skype 4.1,it erased all my contacts
I exceeded t... read more >>
and their data. this was annoying, but that apart, I'm pleased with the new Skype.
Updated on Jul 7, 2009 -
Version: Skype 4.1
Pros: No long distance bill for my wife calling family in Korea.
Cons: Loses signal sometimes, loses video sometimes, needs to be more user friendly to fix problems
- See all 9 user reviews Write review
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