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CNET Editors' review
Popular and preeminent VoIP service Skype has wooed its fair share of people with an itch to ditch the landline and an Internet connection, especially those with international contacts. With its latest update to version 5, the company hopes to win over even more customers and keeping the current ones happy. Skype 5.0 features a streamlined interface, Facebok integration, and videoconferencing functionality.
First, Skype tackled the overall user experience of the software. The new Home page integrates a feed of mood messages from your contacts and yourself, and it offers a variety of tutorials to help you use the various features of the service, from making a video call to signing up for a subscription. The company also aimed to simplify the overall interface in order to make calling, messaging, screen sharing, and file transferring more intuitive and easier to navigate. In addition, the contact search screen now features images and mood messages and offers real-time results.
Skype is also offering a new group-video-calling feature. According to company data, about 40 percent of all Skype-to-Skype minutes were used on video calling. The logical step was to provide a feature that allowed users to chat with more than just one other person. Anyone who downloads version 5 will have a chance to test out the new functionality for free, though it will be a paid extra down the line.
The videoconferencing feature offers a few viewing options. One is the typical side-by-side screen with participants lined up in equal sizes. Then there's the more interesting dynamic view, which increases the size of the person doing most of the talking at any given moment. We got to check this out in a live demo and can see how it would be particularly useful for business calls.
The group video screen also prominently displays the relevant controls along the bottom, as well as a meter that measures call quality. Skype has added a call quality manager that gauges audio and video quality during calls. Automatic call recovery is another new feature that helps users quickly reconnect calls that are interrupted because of Internet connection problems.
Last but not least, Skype now has Facebook integrated seamlessly into the interface. A tab along the top of the screen will take you into your news feed, where you can update your status as well as start Skype calls with various contacts.
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 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.
What's new in this version:
- Group video calling (beta)
- Skype Home
- Integration with Facebook
- Offline instant messaging
- New contact search and improved contact adding
- Enhanced call quality experience
- User interface refresh.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 1,882 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 158 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Skype makes deployment easier!"
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
My hubby is in the Navy, and being able to video chat with him from thousands of miles away makes missing him less hard. The quality, given the circumstances is very acceptable.
Cons
Occasional glitchiness, but that could be due to his location and low wifi signal.
Summary
Obviously worth it since it's free. Would definitely recommend to people with family overseas.
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"Logitech (separate) webcam would not work with Ver 5"
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
Nothing better than previous version
Cons
Interface still a mass confusion, webcam not functional with version 5
Summary
No responses were received from Skype Help regarding the webcam failure. Finally in an online forum (not Skype's)I saw a suggestion to revert to the previous version. Version 4 worked normally. The interface of Skype has always been confusing, but they don't seem bothered by it.
Skype needs to pay attention to problems that people have with it. Ignoring people turns them off. -
"Thanks SKYPE."
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
The best way to communicate.
Cons
Skype connects people around the world.
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"Best Video Conf Software I Know"
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
Does Everything You Could Want
Cons
Shame its not more telephone number focused rather than dedicated skype id's
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"Too many problems with ver. 5.1; 5.2"
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
I like the idea of seeing who I am talking to, and recording the conversation.
Cons
Incoming video didn't work in ver. 5.1,
outgoing video button didn't work ver 5.2
went back to ver 4.2Summary
My skype session with ver 5.1 wasn't good. very unsatisfactory. So frustrated I uninstalled that ver an found older ver 4.2 ( through Skype blog )
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"I'M ALWAYS HAVING TROUBLE"
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
ITS FREE AND HAVE HAD IT FOR A YEAR AND A HALF
Cons
I ALWAYS HAVE TO UNINSTALL AND REINSTALL IT TO WORK AND I ONLY HAVE ONE FRIEND TO TALK TO AND HE CAN'T EVEN GET ME ANYMORE,,,,,,,,,.........................................................
Summary
I'M TIRED OF IT IT ALSO FREEZES UP AND HE CAN'T HEAR ME AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!
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"Not as good as earlier versions in some aspects."
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
Everything appears to be OK.
Cons
Not able to see countries and people as the early version.
Summary
Bring back the countries and people then it will be perfect.
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"Thank goodness for Skype"
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
I'm able to listen to a concert in Russia
When my cell phone broke Skype was there
Its terribly cheap
Because of Skype I had to buy a usb mic - Yay I'll use it for making musicCons
A little bit difficult navigatigating from page to page
I had to close Skype to back to my original page
It put all my composers in my data base and the program incorporated them and they are MANYSummary
I recommend Skype to everyone
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"Great way to make video calls."
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
Good video quality and easy interface.
Cons
none at this time
Summary
This program just keeps getting better with every new release.
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"All in all--disappointing"
Version: Skype 5.0.0.156
Pros
Free,easy to set up
Cons
Memory and cpu usage is high
Summary
After using many of the voip programs for years (Ventrilo,Teamspeak, etc) I am basically unhappy with Skype. It may be good for free long-distance phone calls--but I don't use it for that. Mic volume is not good--even after max output--I still get reports that my transmit level is low.
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