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- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: April 29, 2008
- Total Downloads: 4,815,834
- Downloads last week: 29,219
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A newer version of Skype is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1072 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Skype is well regarded for offering stable, free VOIP to other Skype users and affordable calling from a PC to a phone, be it a landline or a cell phone. The most recent upgrade makes getting in touch with friends and family--and even complete strangers--much, much easier.
Functionality still varies depending on your Internet connection and what else you're doing with it while using Skype, but they are making some efforts to improve that. When you finish a Skype call, a Web page opens and asks you about the conversation's sound quality. The clean layout combines familiar chat client functions with a dialing interface, so that calling a phone is as simple as entering the desired number and hitting the dial button.
Improvements include conference calling with as many as nine people, video calling, and a browser plug-in that turns phone numbers on Web pages into links that automatically dial via Skype when clicked. There are also Skypecasts, throwbacks to the party-line multiperson telephone conversations from the mid-20th century.
Overall, we think Skype is a strong contender in the Internet Telephony category, and anyone who's interested in talking for free should give it a try. For international callers who have computers, this program is a no-brainer solution for long-distance bills.
Watch the CNET video review of Skype:
Publisher's description
From Skype :Skype is software that enables you to make free calls anywhere in the world. Skype uses innovative 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. Skype calls have better sound quality than your regular phone and are highly secure, with end-to-end encryption. Improves video quality for video calls.
Version 3.8 improves the audio engine--reducing background noise and drops--hides user profile images in authorizations requests, and fixes a variety of video-related bugs.
What's new in this version:
Version 3.8 improves the audio engine--reducing background noise and drops--hides user profile images in authorizations requests, and fixes a variety of video-related bugs.
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User reviews of Skype 3.8.0.115
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 1072 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 10 user reviewsSee all 10 user reviews
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.8.0.115
"Overhyped underpowered VOIP leader. Rubbish for business."
Pros: Free basic service is OK. Good for personal use.
Cons: If you try something like SkypeIn to Skype to Forward to Skype out to create flexible call routing for yourself it will work but callers will experience 7 to 8 rings before they hear anything. Goodbye customer!
Lack of proper business facilities yet constant banging on about "Skype for Business" to bring new victims to their door.
Legendarily awful support. Don't bother calling them. It's the seldom answered forum or nothing. Problems get fixed by other users more than they do by the company.
100% lock in of any SkypeIn number you choose so that were you for instance to print it on cards and give it to your mates and then change your mind you would not be able to take it with you, they would have to change all their records, you would have to throw away any contact cards etc.
Call quality is not great. I can tell when other people call me from Skype. A "Robot echo" is almost invariably present.
90% of 3rd party add ins are almost toy like.
Calls are Skype standard rather than SIP so no free calls to other VOIP providers, only Skype to Skype.
Skype - In business terms it's just some sort of horrible trap! Keep it for free personal use only and never give out your SkypeIn number commercially.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.8.0.115
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.8.0.115
Pros: seems your friends are just a short distance away. furthermore, free pc to pc...i like it
Cons: can't distinguish who is talking because the speaker's name isn't highlight or can't pinpoint who is abusing the room either. many of the pictures shown on skype directory are hardcore (pornography). can the skype management prevent such abuses?
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Version: Skype 3.8.0.115
"Still duking it out with MSN's version, but a worthy opponent..."
Pros: Great idea for a program. Used it when I was in China to call home, bought a number in the US that I could use to check voice mails and receive calls on, and bought call out credit to contact China. A must for any traveler.
They take feedback to help improve their system, and have messenger as a back-up talk option, which allows me to forgive some setbacks in call quality.
Cons: Notes:
1. You need a microphone. (I know...duh), but I had a friend get surprised by this. It only makes sense--this is how I found out that my pc had an internal mic, so you might be surprised!
2. I've heard Skype is better than MSN for video chat, but my camera did not work in China for either. Those same people say that Skype's audio quality is not as good as MSN. Based on experiences with both, I agree. They seem to be working hard on call quality and there are some great features you can purchase that I am unsure MSN has (Skype out, Skype phone #).
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0 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 3.8.0.115
Pros: Works okay...better than Live.
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