Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
In some ways, Skype's latest offering takes a step back, but in many, it's a jump forward. In version 4.0, Skype's VoIP app for text, audio, and video calls refocuses on Skype's core competency (and most formidable challenge) of delivering high-quality audio and video calls over the Internet. A new sound engine and bandwidth manager helps keep calls clearer and more stable as talkers reach out across the world, using the spectrum of high- and low-end equipment. The improved sound and video quality were notable in our tests.
Many of Skype's secondary features remain in version 4.0, like conference calling with up to 24 people, IM, history-viewing, file-transferring, and games. Yet some users may decry that public chats have been temporarily omitted, IM isn't terribly interactive, and the Skypecast partyline throwback has gotten the kibosh. Others may chafe against the new interface, a larger block that consolidates the classic two-pane look into a single window. Foreseeing this, Skype has made it possible to split them into two. The new organization places contacts and conversation on side-by-side tabs, and that is surely appreciated.
Anyone who's interested in talking for free should give it a try. For international callers, this program is a no-brainer solution for slashing the long-distance bills.
Skype 4.0 for Windows: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 4.0 offers a single-pane interface, puts contacts and conversations in tabs, increases video size, and improves video and audio quality.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 1,881 votes
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Current version:
2.2 starsout of 48 votes
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My rating:
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"free, simple,& just barely reasonable, but its poor"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
free.. So is MSN, and Yahoo.
video and voice work kinda ok i guess (just not up to scratch compared to what else i can use)Cons
yahoo voice has better quality, more features, easier to use. Skype really sucks in my busy computer life. Maybe its good for simple people though.
interface & useability is poor
I use chat about 25% of time, is just impractical, horrible to use.Summary
Bottom line ; can not recommend. It could be a lot better, and lacks much that is offered by Yahoo, MSN, of which both are easier and less demanding of my time to use. Skype is not intuitive and just horrible for my busy life. I use the computer a lot.
Thats hilarious iapad. I totally agree (ie "Lucky you")
its pretty, but pretty doesnt work efficiently in this case. I have explored and found many things i can do with it, but its still a screen hog and i am not happy to use it.
. Yahoo IM has better sound quality, is easier to use, with more features that are easier to access. Skype would have been acceptable 10 years ago, but in today.
My computer iliterate mother thinks it is good, but she is computer illiterate and has nothing to compare it with.
I dont know why, but when i used skype 2 months ago, i could have sworn it looked different, and sounded better. Why does my experience seem so poor now, when it seemed really good at my brothers place back then. Surely i cant be so delusional in what i remember. Voice is poor.
Updated on Mar 11, 2009
Your intuition saved you time. Listen up next time. -
"Excellent FREE way to stay in touch"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
Excellent FREE way to stay in touch with other Skype users. Subscription seems pretty reasonable, too.
Cons
Nuthin' so far.
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"What a great way to commuinicate"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
Easy to download, easy to use. Free if that is what you need or want. Very inexpensive way to keep in touch with friends and family, around the world.
Cons
None to mention
Summary
Commication, Commication....you have instant messaging, text, video chatting what more can you ask for. It was very easy to download and even easier to use. I highly recommend skype.
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"Poor Sound Quality"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
The interface is okay.
Cons
Poor sound quality; noisy and distorted. I can only imagine what previous versions sounded like.
Summary
I've never used PC phone calls but Verizon charges me $.050 per minute to call Toronto (After all, it's a Third-World county, right?). I would gladly pay Skype 2.1c if it could match my mobile phone's quality. I have cable Internet 1mbps/12mbps so bandwith isn't an issue. Tried Skype 4 and Yahoo Messenger Phone. Skype distorts horribly. Sounds robotic and background is noisy. Yahoo works a bit better and the price is even less. But neither offer acceptable call quality. Any suggestions?
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"very good.. hope it gets better"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
i can see my son when ever i needed ,because he is abroad studing
Cons
it cuts few times
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"Skype 4 is really bad"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
None. My skype crashes every time I try to start it.
Cons
It's just bad. I wish I had never updated to 4.
Summary
I updated to skype 4. Then I tried to put on Pretty May so that I could help out my son on a school project. Pretty May Crashed my skype. When I tried to reinstall, Skype just keeps crashing. I have tried to talk to their support but all it is is caned responses and no real attempt to help me fix this issue. I ended up going to another program.
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"good for granma, MASSIVE DOWNGRADE 4 serious users"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
part of it looks prettier.
free & simple for my wife + granma who dont have many needs
not as intrusive as others (but is moving away from being so)
it works and is free, but that is no different to what else is available.Cons
functionality, practicality, & use of space are badly designed. Too much work required to be effective. lost flexibility
unintuitive
http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-accessibility if your lucky you might stil be able to download 3.8 B4 next versionSummary
video looks prettier than previous versions, but i dont like it. I rarely use video so that doesnt bother me.
The looks is not so important, but functionality, practicality, efficient use of my personal space, intuitiveness, and ease of use are. All of these have had major backwards steps in this 4.0 version. I use voice and chat.
The chat is not usable as a chat, but only for brief text messages. Very hard to distinguish who wrote what (in a dynamic chat session), has so many quirks and has been reduced to such poor functionality it is no longer funny.
Voice is worse
I contacted skype support numerous time past 12 months, and take too many days to respond. 3 to 5 days has been my experience.
There is too much to say in here. I fyou want to know more, go to the skype website and find the forum. Many users are coming out of the woodwork and telling whats missing. -
"Very good since his first version"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
Easy to work with
Cons
No cons untill now
Summary
Thanks to Skype team, they keep this world in touch
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"it happened to impress me"
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
looks a fine program, especially for beginners. Wish I could have somr sort of training or instruction to use it
Cons
A bit complicated due to lack of instructions about how to use it.Wish you could help and issue
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"easy to use and fast."
Version: Skype 4.0.0.206
Pros
it is easy to use
Cons
none that i know about
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