New in
v4.1: Screen sharing, ability to send contacts, birthday reminders, better call quality, better video quality, new accessibility features (improved keyboard
navigation and MSAA support), Skype browser toolbar improvements, various other enhancements and bug fixes for earlier releases; Release Notes - Last Updated: 10.13.09 (v4.1.0.179)
Upgrade Meter:4
New in
v4.0: Redesigned interface with new compact and default views, "unmissable" message alerts, the ability to sort your contacts into easy to find categories, various other enhancements and bug fixes for earlier releases; Release Notes - Last Updated: 06.03.09 (v 4.0.0.227)
Upgrade Meter:3
New in
v3.x: Redesigned user interface, Skype Public Chatrooms, Extras Manager, Sound Settings Widget, improved Video device detection, ability to call ordinary phone numbers on any Website; Firefox plug-in updated to v2.2.0.80, IE plug-in updated to v2.2.0.176, and Extras manager updated to v2.0.0.55 (v3.8.x); various other enhancements and bug fixes for earlier releases; Release Notes - Last Updated: 11.20.08 (v3.8.0.188)
Upgrade Meter:4
New in
v2.5: Ability to Send SMS, Predictive Dialer, Shared Groups, ability to view Outlook contacts, payments in client, improved account creation, improved upgrade, call quality feedback, simplified installation, voice level indicators in conference call;
optional Google toolbar installation for Internet Explorer (v2.5.0.146); Quickfilter checkbox removed (v2.5.0.151); various other minor enhancements and bug fixes; Release Notes - Last Updated: 11.29.06 (v2.5.0.154)
Upgrade Meter:3
New in
v2.0: Skype video (webcam), contact grouping feature, quickfilter in contact list and history, new sound events (for chat user join, leave and incoming message to existing chat), chats and conference calls now shown in history, expandable "My Panel," various other minor enhancements and bug fixes; Release Notes - Last Updated: 05.25.06 (v2.0.0.107)
Upgrade Meter:4
New in
v1.4: Call forwarding feature, 21 new emoticons, Ring Tone Manager, contextual tool tips, API notifications for contact list selection and focus, option for disabling file transfer, ability to maximize Skype client, various bug fixes; Release Notes - Last Updated: 10.25.05 (v1.4.0.84)
Upgrade Meter:4
New in
v1.3.0.66: Call quality improvements, various bug fixes (bugfix: fixed a problem with starting calls on some computers - error 6101 and fixed problems with HTTP proxy and SOCKS proxy authentication); Release Notes - Last Updated: 08.26.05 Upgrade Meter:2
New in
v1.3.0.60: : Improved call quality for users with restrictive firewalls and routers (v1.3.0.60); fix (echo cancellation) for sound quality problems when not using headset (v1.3.0.57); fix for online users count being displayed as 0 or not displayed at all under some circumstances (v1.3.0.55); Release Notes - Last Updated: 08.04.05 Upgrade Meter:2
New in
v1.3.0.45: Improved Contact Importers, Voicemail subscribers can leave voicemails to anyone, animated emoticons, missed events panel, services panel, possibility to send multiple authorization requests from one window, improved Profile; various other enhancements and bug fixes; Release Notes Upgrade Meter:4
Pros: Make free person to person phone calls to anyone, anywhere (if they too are using Skype), easy to use software and service that doesn't put a significant drain on your system resources, add-on services available (for a cost) that deliver voicemail capabilities and that make it possible to call non-Skype users
Cons: Those you call have to use Skype as well (unless you use the add-on SkypeOut software), add-on services carry a price tag, quality impressive but not always crystal clear, some calls were mysteriously dropped when using SkypeOut
