Skype enables group screen sharing for in version 5.2 for Mac

Skype’s latest version release for mac 5.2 was launched on Tuesday.  It has introduced group screen sharing as well as group video calling which was introduced in version 5.0 beta.  Once again though, you must be a Premium subscriber to use these functions.

Skype for iPad is on the way

Skype design VP Rick Osterloh has confirmed the development of a Skype app for the iPad.  Where as we would have been exited about this in the past, we can’t help but feel a little disheartened due to the fact Microsoft now have their hands on Skype.  We and a lot of people are calling this the end to an amazing product!

Check out more on this story here:

http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/06/24/skype.says.ipad.app.is.real/

Update:

Here is a leaked video:

myskypeoffice – Enhance Skype with a desktop call manager

We are liking the look of myskypeoffice, a desktop call manager that gives you a range of extended features for Skype.  Some feature include:

• Customised hold music
• Transfer to any phone
• Real time voicemail screening
• Send text to speech message to a caller when on a call
• Record phonecalls – Emailed as wav files and transcriptions
• Send and recieve fax
• Call forwarding
• Automatic call reconnect if dropped
• Virtual attendant
• Create departments and round robin
• Out of office hours
• Conferencing

Check out the video below

Use Skype To Go from any phone to save you money when Abroad

Skype have announced “Skype To Go“.  You can make calls from any mobile or landline at Skype’s fantastic rates.  You supply a number to Skype and they give you a unique Skype To Go number:

Here’s how the magic works. Let’s say your aunt lives in Australia and you live in New York.
Simply give us your aunt’s number in Australia, and we’ll convert it into a unique Skype To Go number with a New York area code.

Then, all you need to do is call this number from your mobile or landline, and you can talk right away to your aunt in Australia at Skype’s amazing rates.

You use your Skype Credit or subscription to get the same rates you use from your Skype client on your computer or media phone but of course, with nothing to install.

They advise you about other charges:

Local operator charges may apply when calling a Skype To Go number. When using a mobile, inclusive minutes may apply. When using Skype Credit the standard connection fee applies.

Skype To Go is free and you can have up to 9 people on your list.  Once again, Skype are looking ahead and making their fabulous service available to everyone.  This is a really good idea and will serve those who may not be able to access the web in the more remote areas but do have a land line or possibly a mobile phone.

Skype for Android runs on Galaxy S but needs Android 2.2

Skype have announced it has updated its Android app.  If you have a Samsung Galaxy S running Android 2.2 then you are luck. You can also save the new version of Skype on any Android 2.2 handset’s SD memory card.

You can update here:

Skype: Rick Osterloh talks about Facebook integration and group video calling

Rick Osterloh, Head of consumer products has just released a YouTube video telling us all about the latest release of skype for Windows.

Here are a few of the points from the below video:

• Simplified interface
• Skype Home – dashboard
• Improved Contact list
• Find people with real time search
• Import friends from Facebook
• Improved call controls
• Group video calling – We’ve been waiting for this one!
• Facebook tab lets you read your news feed
• Skype mood syncs with Facebook status
• Call Facebook friends directly, send SMS from integration button

Skype 5.0 Beta 2 brings 10 way video calling

This is something we have waited for a long time now and we are pleased to announce that the latest Beta release of Skype allows you to make up to 10 way video calls.  Sadly at the moment this is just for Windows, so we wait in anticipation for the Mac and Linux release.

Here are the details of the latest Skype 5.0 Beta 2 release:

Make group video calls with up to 10 people

You can now use Skype to make group video calls* with up to 10 people – letting you bring even more of your family, friends or business together, even if you’re cities or continents apart.

Note that everyone in a group video call now needs to be running this version, so if your friends, family or colleagues are using Beta 1, they’ll have to upgrade before you can include them in group video calls.

A refreshed user interface

You’ll notice that the new-look Skype is sleeker, neater and crisper than before, and we’re proud of the work our interface designers have done to refine and mature the interface for this version. We’ve also added Skype Home, where you can follow your contacts’ mood messages, set your profile picture and mood message, receive account notifications and learn more about using Skype.

Better stability and quality

We’ve made improvements to call quality when making group video calls, as well as fixed a number of bugs affecting stability, so your calling experience should be smoother than before. This version also includes automatic call recovery, which should help automatically reconnect Skype calls that are interrupted due to network problems. We’ve also made a number of other housekeeping fixes since the first beta – but please bear in mind that this is still a beta version, and so there may be the odd bug remaining.

* Group video calling is currently available as a free trial. For group video calls, everyone in the group video call will need Skype 5.0 Beta 2 for Windows.

You can download Skype’s latest version here:

http://www.skype.com/intl/en/get-skype/on-your-computer/windows/beta/?cm_mmc=socialm|skypeblogs-_-global|intl|en-_-bigblog-_-groupvideocalling|beta2

and read a little more on Skype’s blog here:

http://blogs.skype.com/en/2010/09/10_way_video_calling.html

The Geosocial Universe Infographic

gigaom bring you the Geosocial Univers Infographic:

Skype to go public

Skype is going public sell stock worth $100 million.  Here are a couple of articles on how Skype plans to grow its business and what it is going to achieve with the $100 million IPO:

How Skype Plans to Grow Its Business:
http://gigaom.com/2010/08/09/how-skype-plans-to-grow-its-business/

Skype Going Public With $100 Million IPO
http://thenextweb.com/us/2010/08/09/skype-going-public-with-100-million-ipo

Skype now runs in background

Oh yes, it’s the moment that many of us have been waiting for, Skype will not run in the background from your iPhone.  The free update allows multitasking for the 3GS and iPhone 4.  Here are the details:

What’s New In Version 2.0.1

• Run Skype in the background with multitasking in iOS4.
• Receive Skype calls and IM while other apps are running or when your iPhone is locked. You can also continue your call while you switch to another application.

We also reported back in May that Skype would be charging for use of 3G, but it would appear that these plans have now been scrapped.  This is a very positive thing indeed!