Skype Update

Popular video calling software Skype has now reached version 5.0 and comes with an updated look that enables easier use and navigation, extra social capabilities thanks to the integration of the Facebook News Feed, and a group video calling feature that's in an open beta.

Beside keeping you up to date with the latest social happenings, Skype 5.0 also provides real-time search, automatic call recovery, a call quality manager gauges for audio and video quality during calls, and all the older features you're probably accustomed to.

Skype 5.0 can be downloaded from Skype.com .

Make the most of Skype - free internet calls and great value calls

Ref: Skype 5.0 for Windows released and up for grabs | TechConnect Magazine

This is a good one overall, everybody, especially if you are an existing Skype user.

Skype has been updated to version 5.0.0.156 following the massive melt-down crash that took place last week. An older version of the software is partially to blame for the mega crash that took down Skype's online network around the world. The new version does not have posted release notes.

Skype has undergone several updates since our last report. Most importantly, Skype was updated to 5.1.0.104.

It underwent additional bug fixing, and the current release version on this date is 5.1.0.112.

I am pleased to be able to edit this post tonight in order to provide accurate release notes for both versions.

More on Skype:
Skype continues to be the most popular VoIP software solution on the Internet and around the world. Although it competes with hardware VoIP solutions that have become prevalent throughout work environments, Skype also offers its own business software. After careful analysis and use over several years, I am sold on Skype, quite literally. I use it for simple residential telephone service, international conferencing, and the occasional video chat. As a service, Skype is one of the best. A web application has recently become available on the Android Marketplace, which allows users of Google-based phones like the Samsung Galaxy S to make calls using the service through the cellphone. This would allow me to call anyone in the world from my cellphone by using a proxy number somewhere in my home country. Android users are still metered in cellphone minutes for the service, but it is unique, and affordable. One of the best "features" of Skype is its unbelievable price tag. For a small yearly payment, you can purchase your own telephone number, with voicemail. Because of Skype's worldwide nature, however, 911 and emergency services like police and fire cannot be called through the service. Skype is used by our forum team to get together for online events like meetings, conferences, discussions, and even games, on a daily basis. Although there are occasional spouts of lag, after years of use, this is often found to be a very rare problem for such an ambitious service. Wireless telephones for wireless routers, as well as special USB devices have been made available for Skype. However, Skype will work with almost any audio-in device, including microphones, and headsets.

Recommended incremental update to Skype
Version 5.3.0.111
What's new in this version
Contacts list: Skype was adding echo123 to the contact list on every Skype startup
Video Calling: Skype video was freezing sometimes on group video calls.
Friend Finder: Skype seldom crashed when adding a friend
Skype Home and Facebook Channel: Skype displayed "script error" pop-ups sometimes to the user
Source: Skype

A new Version 5.3.0.120 of the communications utility Skype has been released. This update removes the Extras Manager and fixes a Call Quality Indicator bug.

Skype version 5.5.0.110 beta has been released for testing. The test software aims to allow users to see Facebook friends in the Skype contact list, use Facebook instant messaging, and make call controls "easier and smarter". Not sure how you can make a dialpad and a green call button easier to use, but this is the aim.

This version comes with a warning about the potential dangers of installing beta software, and perhaps rightfully so. When testing the Facebook connection features, the software remained in an idle state of "Connecting..." during that time. Users who depend on Skype for productivity may want to stick with the previous stable build of the software, while those willing to try something new may enjoy testing the new feature set. Skype enthusiasts can find release notes for the new software on the developer blog.

A new Version 5.5 of the communications utility Skype has been released. This update contains greater Facebook intergration, improvements to video controls and reliability, and additional emoticons.

A new Version 5.5.0.114 of the communications utility Skype has been released.

Full release notes for 5.5.0.114 are:

Category	Description
Call Technical Info	'Call' technical info showed frame-rate incorrectly at 60 instead of 30
Facebook	Sometimes Facebook contacts where shown with "?" when there was trouble with Facebook connectivity
Video	Sometimes the video froze while making a videocall to some older Skype versions on Windows or Mac.
Video	Sometimes Skype crashed while making a videocall to some older Skype versions on Windows or Mac.