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- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: March 10, 2009
- Total Downloads: 4,552,928
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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 1075 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff on November 07, 2008
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.
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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.
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User reviews of Skype 4.0.0.215
- Average user rating: 3.9 stars out of 1075 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 5 user reviewsSee all 5 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: Skype 4.0.0.215
"lack of Security and customer service"
Pros: Saved on my phone bill for international travel, calls did go through, though some dropped but overall quality was good
Cons: The text messaging feature is not secure, I was told by someone else on my list that they could see text messages I was having with others
Skype has resfused to address this complaint (3 times) by saying they are too busy with other issuesSummary: It is cheap and does save on phones bills, but I worry about privacy of calls and I know text messages are not private
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 4.0.0.215
Pros: Ability to list several different number for one contact i.e. cell, work, home etc.
Cons: Poor interface; poor voice quality; many more dropped calls; inability to connect in the first place.
Summary: I am quite unhappy with the new version of skype. More dropped calls, calls not getting through, poor quality etc. Interface is horrible. What were they thinking?
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Version: Skype 4.0.0.215
Pros: Nothing. I want to re-install Skype 3.
Cons: Impossible to navigate. Where is the subject line? Where is the leave chat button?
Summary: Poor.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Skype 4.0.0.215
"Poor user interface. badly designed.Some may like fluff"
Pros: like i said, some may like the fluff, and there are some parts of it that look pretty. It depends on how you use it.
Cons: very poorly designed interface which makes for an annoying and inefficient use of my time & space. My grandma likes it, but she will eat anything, & doesnt have need of an efficient and practical application
Steer clear of this versionSummary: Skype have their own vision and dont care to listen to the user experience. That is evident in the Skype forum, and was also the case in Beta testing by the looks of things, For that reason, i would think to start looking at other communication opti... read more >>
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Version: Skype 4.0.0.215
Pros: nothing that stands out
Cons: i am not going to waste my breath here, going into the vast details. Still sucks is all im going to say. Use to be great and practical though. Go elsewhere
- See all 5 user reviews Write review
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