CNET Editors' review
Skype is a great starting point for those interested in Voice Over IP (VoIP) technology offering an interface that's much like a chat program. To make calls, you'll need to create a contact list of friends and family who also have Skype. To make calls to regular handset or mobile phones, you'll have to sign up with the Skype service. Possibly the best feature of Skype is that you'll be able to make free computer-to-computer calls anywhere around the world as long as both parties have Skype installed. This includes both audio and video calls.
In the past we liked the intuitive chat-like interface of older versions of Skype and were surprised at the excellent sound quality, even using regular desktop speakers. But the latest version has added a number of interface problems that make the program much harder to use on the Mac. This update adds some enhancements and audio improvements, but you may want to stick with the old version until Skype can iron out the bugs.
Publisher's Description
From Skype:
Skype is a little piece of software that lets you make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world. And even though the calls are free, they are really excellent quality. If you and your friends, family or business contacts are using webcams, you can also make free video calls. You can even call landlines and mobile phones at really cheap per minute rates.
What's new in this version: Fixed issues with login window for some users.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 301 votes
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Current version:
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"5.7.60.1037 At last, manual volume control option"
Version: Skype 5.7.60.1037
Pros
Skype responded to feedback from broadcasters and narrators, like myself, whose pro work was disrupted by Skype taking command of our analogue recording gain controls - and then leaving them set any old place upon exit. There's an option now of auto gain control or manual. Bravo Skype.
Cons
From the start, interfaces have never been world class. Buttons in corners, no feeling of logical flow. Latest (if that's 5.7.60.1037) seems oddly attenuated when you start it up on a Mac: you have to fossick around to get much to appear. Wish they'd poach an interface designer from Apple!
Summary
Incredibly useful, socially and for business, and the audio gets better and better. Try the screen sharing feature - available only with video running and again the button is obscure. But worth finding.
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"The best IM"
Version: Skype 5.7.60.1037
Pros
Free calls
Cons
The Windows version is more user friendly
Summary
Must have app for everyone.
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"using since dayOne, the best!"
Version: Skype 5.6.0.203
Pros
excellent, BUT, there is no really any improvements in terms of features.
Cons
Sure, mikrozoft paid big bucks, and the on-going development is non-existent.
what they do is shuffle all the features, forth and back, to make look like "new"Summary
still works great, until somebody comes with something better, and that will be the end of Skype and mikrozoft. and I have a feeling it's coming...
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"Incompetent release"
Version: Skype 5.6.0.143
Pros
The basic functionality still works.
Cons
There are so many problems with this release and it's actually quite shocking. Did anybody at Skype even test this once? The two big ones:
1. Everytime I sign into Skype, I get logged out of Facebook in Safari. Every single time, on two different Macs. As somebody who puts his Mac in sleep mode regularly at work, this is a major inconvenience.
2. Although it offers full-screen mode now, a lot of functions don't work in full-screen. And I mean basic functions. Try to access Preferences, and Skype exits full screen. Select a contact's profile picture to see their profile, and Skype exits full screen. Is it limited to these two instances? Absolutely not.
3. When in full-screen mode, I add a tag to a new contact and the whole screen instantly goes grey a la the mission control background pattern. I have to swipe to another app, and then click the Skype icon to even see the app again.Summary
Why was this even released? It seems like it was in Beta for a long time beforehand too. This is barely Alpha quality.
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"The best IM"
Version: Skype 5.6.0.143
Pros
It's free, it's powerful
Cons
I don't know
Summary
I want to thanks developers for an app, which I use every day.
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"Please call me (on Skype 2.8)"
Version: Skype 5.6.0.143
Pros
A glorious past
Cons
an astonishing default by the day they wanted to sell it to that ridicolous company which pretends to let believe to be able to write software but can only copy, buy, destroy make it worst!
Summary
As soon as Skype will have back his humble elegance, not that good as Adium, which is also less essential than Fire...
A step back (and this is the case!) can't deserve more than half a star -
"Takes up far too much screen space"
Version: Skype 5.6.0.143
Pros
Seems to work like the older version
Cons
Interface is huge and ugly wasted loads of screen space and can't be reduced much.
Summary
I deleted it almost immediately and used Time Machine to put back the older version. If they can't make it less obtrusive I will stop using it if/when the old one no longer works.
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"Great software"
Version: Skype 5.5.0.2340
Pros
Great software
Cons
Great software
Summary
Great software
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"Bring back 2.8"
Version: Skype 5.5.0.2340
Pros
Works OK but has gone downhill
Cons
Lacks nice window interface of 2.8. Chats there popped up in a new window, now are barely noticeable. In 2.8 on a group audio call you could see who was getting feedback or whose dog was barking. Now there is no clue. Takes up too much screen space. And on and on.
I have never seen a piece of software go downhill so badly as Skype.Summary
Bring back all the features of 2.8
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"Poor UI ruins a useful application"
Version: Skype 5.5.0.2340
Pros
Great audio and video chat support
Cons
An otherwise wonderful application ruined by a poor UI
Summary
The user interface implemented in version 5.5 is confusing and a horrible waste of screen space (especially on laptops). There is no support for minimizing the UI. This means that the UI takes up at least 1/6 of the screen on a MacBook Pro.
There isn't a way to configure or customize the UI. The Multi-column interface offers poor controls for changing column widths and turning on and off columns.
Version 2.8 of Skype is still available and is compatible with those running 5.5.X on the Mac and other platforms. Use 2.8, Don't bother downloading 5.5.
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