Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
If you're looking to make free voice or video calls worldwide, Skype is a great start. Its clean and user-friendly interface makes interaction effortless, so you are ready to go as soon as you launch the app.
During our testing, we were impressed by the video and voice quality of Skype, which uses VoIP (Voice over IP) technology to enable communication worldwide without paying a cent. One of its best features is the chat and mood messages: if you are in the middle of something, you can inform your contacts about it or just type a text message instead of having a voice call. This is a nice feature on its own, but it's also handy if you don't have a microphone.
But this isn't the only feature you'll love: we also enjoyed Skype's ability to handle conference calling, group video calling, and screen sharing. In other words, if you have a reliable Internet connection, Skype can easily replace your phone and lower your communication bills.
To make calls, all you have to do is create a contact list of friends, family, and colleagues, but they must also have Skype, as only Skype-to-Skype calls are free. However, a great addition to the app is its ability to call landlines or mobile phones, but you'll need to purchase Skype credits to take advantage of this feature.
Its chatlike user interface makes Skype very easy to use, yet the key to optimum performance is a reliable Internet connection. As soon as you launch the app and start using it, you will surely place Skype among your favorite apps, just like we did after our test. Skype's useful features and intuitive user interface make the app appropriate for users of all levels.
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:
- It is now easier to save a new number to any existing contact.
- Optimized Preferences menus for Korean.
- You can create a line break by pressing Shift+Enter during message editing.
- "Add Contact Number" popover will be closed when conversation is switched using Option+Command+Left/Right arrow key on keyboard.
- The grid contact list will move when scrolling with arrow keys.
- You can can edit a contact with a full name and a custom nickname.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 320 votes
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Current version:
2.5 starsout of 4 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-4 of 4
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"Regression in 6.3-CREATOR cannot edit/remove messages."
Version: Skype 6.3.59.602
Pros
not at all
Cons
wait for refixing the faulty feature
Summary
take off the automatic update
just move back to previous version 3.2, unless they fix this big brother's stu*id course -
"Best chat client since MSN Messenger!"
Version: Skype 6.3.59.602
Pros
It's great! It's all we use at work. No one really talks to anyone anymore at the office. It gets eerily quiet sometimes. Too quiet...
Cons
Less actual human interaction
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"I Don't Like The Intrusion"
Version: Skype 6.3.59.602
Pros
Free video calls.....
Cons
I received a message from Skype to update my software. When I did update all of the names and telephone numbers in my Apple Address book appeared as contacts so I all of a sudden had about 250+ contacts that I have no intention of calling or Skyping with. I only had about a dozen or so of contacts with whom I Skype. I could understand that this could be a good move for people that pay for and want to use Skype for their phone calls. But, for me that only uses the free video calls on occasion I did not need to have to scroll through all these other names and phone numbers. I tried deleting the names and phone numbers and there didn't seem to be any way. I also want to know why they didn't first advise me that they were going to invade or scan my personal address book. This was an invasion of my privacy that I never authorized.
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"Skype 2.8 Mac: excellent, the new one: absolute crap!"
Version: Skype 6.3.59.602
Pros
The old version 2.8 still works and is how i expect my Skype IM to be working.
Cons
The newer versions are eating up your screen, usability became a lot worse. Don't upgrade to the newer versions, there is no real benefit except it will eat up a lot of space on your screen.
Summary
Skype 2.8: excellent, anything newer: total crap! Go and do your homework, Skype !
Results 1-4 of 4
