Skype for Mac tips, part I
While we are working on next Skype for Mac releases I’m starting this series of blog posts that helps to get the most out from the current version. The topic today – how to copy a phone number from History or send an SMS message to such number.
The simplest way to do either is to choose “View info” of the number with Command-I or Control-click and choose “View profile”. From the view that pops open you can easily copy the number or click Send SMS.
Please comment whether this was helpful or not and let me know what topics you’d like to see covered in the future.
Updated 3.49 PM GMT. I just learned that there are more than two paths leading so sending SMS messages from History. If your default action for double-click is ‘Start a chat’ (Skype>Preferences>General) then by far the easiest is to double-click the phone number – SMS menu opens like magic . Alternatively you can click on missed events, then ‘Show history’ and see a ‘Send SMS’ icon next to any number you have highlighted
Well, it’s the logical way of doing it. Glad it works
What would be really lovable and helpful is if ‘Send SMS…’ was right there in the contextual menu…
This works well…. I happen to have a multi-button mouse so using the right click on the name/number in History brings up the same menu. I agree that Send SMS would be helpful in that menu.
Since we’re talking about SMS, I presume that means we’re talking about Skype 2.5 (beta). The history display above doesn’t look like my Skype 2.5 history display. It looks like the old history window before the history and contacts windows were merged into one. Am I confused? In the history display I see, I can just click on an entry and then click the SMS button next to it. I don’t need to bring up any menus or the profile if sending an SMS message is my aim.
Yes, talking about 2.5 BETA. As described in the post there are at least four ways to send SMS from History. However ‘view info/profile’ is the simplest way to copy number.
I made my first skype out call today. Didn’t actually talk to anyone (was left on hold and listened to ad’s for 3 minutes), but as I was calling I wondered how much I was about to spend. I know you have that info somewhere on your website, but I thought it would have been useful if the rate per minute charge could have been displayed.
Like after choosing the country, the rate or rates could be displayed above the number pad.
Just an idea.
-daniel
web.mac.com/mayhughs
ody_dan, welcome to the club and thanks for the suggestion.
Currently there is indeed no price info in the Skype client. http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/rates/all_rates.html lists SkypeOut rates for every country there is. And if you log on to My Account at http://www.skype.com/store and click “Call and SMS history” you’ll the the duration and cost of every call you’ve made.
By the way, I warmly recommend using SkypeOut to talk to friends and family rather than listen to ads
Hi. What I find frustrating about 2.5 sms is that it takes ages to go through. one message I wanted to send about half an hour ago is still pending. So now I want to delete the message cos it’s no longer relevant, but i can’t find a delete pending message button anywhere… why not??
Also, often when i call overseas mobiles on skype out they hear me as muffled, even tho i’m using the latest bluetooth headset that works perfectly on landline calls… is there a way around this please?
thanks
Honestly, as great as SMS is, the greatest complaint I hear from Mac users is the difficulty in finding a web cam. iSight is so expensive, and I don’t even know if it will work with Skype. So far I have not been able to find an alternative to a web cam that will work with Skype for Mac. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Why don’t you just write an applescript to do it for you? It is so easy. Go here for instructions.
http://macscripter.net/site_map
with live messenger you can use sharing folders instead of sending individual files
ger now that i have a mac
sorry i did that wrong.
with live messenger you can use sharing folders instead of sending individual files
i was wondering if there was a way to do this on skype as i cant use live messenger because im using a mac.
Hi there… does the new SMS Beta version support webcam as well?
Regarding the use of video camara.
I agree that iSight is expensive and nowadays unavailable in Europe BUT it is worth using it. NOte NEW Mac´s are comming with one installed.
I tried to use it before realising that FireWire camaras are not supported by Skype. However I eventually managed to use it. BUT this was not a straight forward action. I was surprised when it finally worked and I am still pussled why and how it eventually worked. Can I ask to CHECK the instructions in Skype in order to remove the NON support. I am under Mac X 10.3.9 Thnks
web cams….. go to the Skype for Mac Forum….there is an ongoing list of web cams to use. I bought the iMage camera because it was developed for the Mac and requires no drivers ($50). You can use most PC cams, but need to install the drivers, and from the forums, these have caused a lot of problems….on some, not so much on others. Read what others say here: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=69289
Andrus: I’ve been using Skype for about 6 months and am trying to sign up for the SkypeUnlimited deal (50% off before Jan. 31). Confused by the message re. pricing changes effective Jan 18 – is it better to purchase pre-Jan 18 or post-Jan 18? I emailed billing dept 3 days ago re. this w/ no response. Gave up waiting, tried to sign up today, and got redirected to a blank page. I’ve already contacted customer service about this, too. I know this is not the place, but hoping you might have a suggestion or two for me. Thanks. Scott.
To: jonwmitchell
I read your post about suitable cameras for skype and I did some research. The apple iSight works perfectly with skype. If you have a newer mac computer, then naturally the iSight will be already built-in. But I agree with you, to buy an iSight is very exppensive.
I found a link to a skype website-http://www.skype.com/download/skype/macosx/
If you scrol down to System requirements, it will say what kind of webcams are suitable for skype.
I hope this answered your query!
I am having a bit of trouble when I use my mac. When I dial a number that has automated numbers to select, once I select the number i.e-”press one if you know your party’s extension”, I am still connected but they cannot hear me and I cannot hear them or sometimes I can hear them, but very broken, yet it still shows I am connected. This happens with every automated phone call that I make. I do not seem to have this problem when I am on my PC, can you tell me if you have heard of this, and/or how to fix this problem?
Regarding webcams for the mac, MACAM is a driver for usb pc webcams to be used by Mac OS X applications. I used it for an older powermac and it works perfectly with skype. I hope this helps.
http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/
HELP ! I’m using the lastest Skype for MAC running OS X 10.4.8 and using a plantronics DSP 400 headset (USB). I find when making calls i experience audio fading in and out both transmitting and receiving. My preferences are set correctly in SKYPE as well as in System Prefs and have tested various input & output volume settings. Nothing works to eliminate this problem. I’ve tested it on My G5 as well as Mac Mini. Same issue on both. Anyone else have this issue?? SO Frustrating ! it’s impossible to have a conversation with anyone as the signal constantly fades out the In. ARGH !!!
HELP !
I find the SMS to work pretty well, though once it showed a message as “failed” when in fact it had gone through…
Interesting that there should be so many off-topic comments on this post here! My ancient FujiFilm camera works well as a webcam with macam.
Re webcam for Skype/iMac: Try the Philips SPC900NC (In UK, £51.52 from Amazon, delivered. (Currys UK also have it but it might be a bit more expensive if it is packaged with headphones etc.)
Works perfectly with the iMac provided you download and use the free software from ‘macam’.
( http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/ )
But, be sure to place the macam component as below.
( http://webcam-osx.sourceforge.net/troubleshooting.html )
…Problems installing macam.component
Please make sure you use the QuickTime folder in the Library directly in the root level of your hard disk (do not mix up libraries at other locations). Make sure you have administration privileges. Move older copies of macam.component or webcam.component to the Trash prior to installing the new one (if you encounter problems deleting the files: It will work after a restart). Try running without other components (move them temporarily to another location and restart).)…
You will also need Skype 2.5.0.63 (or 2.0.0.6 if you are not bothered about the excellent SMS facility)
I bought one of these webcams before Christmas and set it up here on two G4s using 10.4.8. I then gave it to our daughter to take back to Madrid (the things we dads do!) where she set it up on her machine, same as above. We have chatted to her regularly since then and it’s fine: her broadband speed/consistency is not so good but it’s great to be able to see each other as we chat.
Regarding video chat through skype – I’m a long time user of ichat for the mac, in conjunction with the Isight camera – as a comparison, the video on the mac is excellent and pretty much full motion, the sound is fair. When using the same thing through skype, the audio is excellent but the video is very very choppy, like the old days (pre broadband). Does anyone know why? I suspect it’s a skype issue on how they handle the video stream, whereas apple set this up from the beginning to work well, any clues on how to improve this?
Hey what’s the deal with bluetooth headsets and skype? I can’t seem to get any to work. The motorola h500 works good when it wants to, but when it’s connected and then it goes into sleep mode skype doesn’t know how to act. Also is there any plans for a cordless phone for macs? I bought the dualphone one and didn’t realize it was PC only that makes me sad..other than that skype saves me a ton of money !!
A couple of versions ago, there was a single click way to differentiate between your ‘skype contacts’ and the ‘ordinary phone contacts’. There used to be a little arrow which collapsed ‘skype contacts’ and allowed you to phone any contact in your list (alphabetically) rather then having to scroll dwon past your 3-4 windows of ‘skype contacts’ before you can see your ‘ordinary phone list’.
Another way would be to redial, but that kind of defeats the entire purpose of memory and computers.
Can you reintroduce this collapse of ‘skype contacts’ effect that has disappeared?
Timmo
This is for drumguy151, I have a Plantronics dsp-100 with the same problems of fading in and out..but at times there is also a loud buzzing sound. I’ve tried everything and have given up and junked it and have just order a new “mac and skype” approved headset.
Hi there, is there some device that I can connect to my iMac so that I can hear it ringing when I am in another room? I tend to miss my calls when I am not in the same room….
my skype beta has a little comic balloon icon next to each item in history and if it’s not a skype contact it sends sms by default. Am I missing something in this tip??
btw, i use a new 24″ imac, with the built in iSight, and the video works flawlessly.
And how come every sms message i send comes from 8877? i verified my mobile number and no matter whether i try to identify my outgoing sms with my mobile number or with my skype name, everyone sees 8877 as the sender.
stambouzos, have you tried Airfoil or soundflower?
If you have soundflower, you can choose either the soundflower2ch or 16ch virtual device for the Ringing device on the audio tab and use airfoil to redirect that to a stereo or something using airtunes if you have it, but that’s kind of pricey if you don’t have it already, luckily my apartment is all wired up with two airport expresses hooked up to stereos on opposite ends of my place.
If YOU “just learned” imagine the poor user.
Proof yet once again that the Mac GUI needs to be totally reworked from scratch. Back to basics – tabs, drawers, etc.
I’m having trouble figuring out how to send a text message to a moblie phone. I’m in France and the recipiant is in Germany, but I didn’t think that made a difference. I tried the suggestions listed above, but sms doesn’t seem to be an option for my account.
I have the 2.0.0.6 version for mac, so I’m not sure what the problem is. Any suggestions?
liztins, upgrade to Skype for Mac 2.5
edmosl, Skype Unlimited in the States is not affected by connection fee so you’ll have another week to sign up for the special offer.
thanks all who commented webcam issue, I’m coming back to this topic with a separate entry.
Hey there, Thanks for everything you’ve done with skype.
I think you should create a function so we can import all of our contacts from our address book at once.
cheers
puarno, try Contacts > Import Contacts
i kno this is wrong place to air my billing issues but…..
i tryed purchasing the 50% off deal (unlimited computer to phones-calling) and it instead attempted to charge me full price (even tho i was attempted to purchase it b4 the jan 31th deadline) so i was unable to purchase. Is anyone else experiencing this issue?? If so what can i do?
Wanted to say that I too had trouble getting the 50% off deal for unlimited use. Is it an issue with MAC users only? I really want to keep using Skype; but this is aggrevating! ~Barb, on the road again
I just got iSight camera for my Skype. It works pretty good however the picture is a mirror image of my room… It’s Funny cause it doesnt seem to be this way while I am iChat or Yahoo Messenger. Does anybody experienced the same? Is there a way of reversing the image so it’s a “true” picture?
Andre’
Hope it’s ok to mention another subject. I’m sometimes online several hours. My screen is set to go into the screen saver mood. When it does, other skype friends see me as being “”not around”". (the green sign with the little white clock) Could that be changed without me having to keep my screen working?? Just like “mail” works dispite my screen being on disturbingly bright. Many Thanks from Germany
Coupla quickies from me. I use Skype for my business and would really like to know if the following features exist/are planned.
1. A count down of how much money you have left on your skypeout account. At the moment it updates sporadically and you can lose a call half way through. You then can’t mend it until you can get more money on the account which takes a while. Would it be possible to set up an automatic “You have left than 1e left we will automatically put more money on from your credit card”?
2. The ability to transfer calls (so we can have a central reception who can send calls out to other users).
floridakicksass2 and chicagobarb, support a ticket on http://support.skype.com/?_a=tickets&_m=submit to get a refund if you got charged too much
andrzejekdec, this is normal. Hold up some text in front of the cam and this should show ok, not mirrored.
lennycalling, you can change your presence setting under Skype > Preferences > General
pmgolz, if you’ve got the latest Skype you’ll see exactly how much credit is left from your Contacts view. See the first line just above this nice girls’ head http://blogs.skype.com/sites/mac/2006/06/skype_for_mac_with_video_comin.html Automatic top-up is already possible when you’re using PayPal, more news on that and other new features to come.
I’ve tried to call an Italian toll-free nr several times (from two different machines and using different accounts). It says “Number doesn,t exist”
+39 800 900 800
There is also a pay-no, wich doesn,t work either.(+39 199 50 50 55)
Is there a reason for this not working?
Best Regards
Marita Cremascoli_Hellner
Still on Part 1?
The 50% deal only works with paypal, I think that it has to do with the country origen of the credit card you use (not a Mac issue).
iSight video looks better on iChat because iChat uses a more advanced video codec for data transfer (called H.264).
Microphones that are not “line-level” (most consumer mics are not) will not work on a Mac because of the audio card’s requirments.
I have another Mac question. I understand we are supposed to be able to forward calls. However when I go to Preferences as instructed to find this feature, I only get a window for my audio line-in/out. I’m running version 2.0.0.6. What’s the problem?
Anyone know if there are plans for a multi-party versions of Skype Video (for Mac and PC)? SightSpeed supports multi-party video conferences for about $5/month. I have installed but not used SightSpeed because I’m waiting for a friend to install so we can test. I’ve heard it’s video quality surpasses Skype (for free and paid version). I would be willing to pay Skype a subscription fee for a) multi-party video and b) quality-of-service levels. Anyone else?
I’ve just started trying to use a (borrowed) isight camera with Skype 2.5 and a bluetooth headset.
I can see the video in the preferences pane, but nothing shows up in the main window (or for my callee), althoug I can see him. The enable video button on the bottom of my image window is grey and won’t turn on.
When I close the preferences pane the green light on top of the camera also goes out, which I assume means the camera is off.
The headset doesn’t seem to be the problem.
My network is via satellite and is sometimes slow (ranges from 140 to >1400 kbps!!) Is there a way to tell if speed is the problem?
Suggestions?
thanks
I have Skype 2.5.0.85 on both a G4 Powerbook and an Intel based Mac Mini, both running OS X 10.4.8.
On the Mac Mini, the chat window only displays HTML, such as “ and I cannot see any incoming chat.
On the G4 Powerbook, it works fine.
Any suggestions. No response from Skype support.
Hi.. new to all of this comment-posting but hopefully it’ll come in handy! A couple of months ago, I was making a video call with a relative on the other side of the world. Another relative suddenly came online so we ‘added’ him to the call but the video then stopped and the three of us were left with audio only. I was wondering if this had anything to do with me having a Mac, or is Skype not yet able to do three-way video calling? If it’s the latter, are there any plans to introduce three-way video calling to Skype? Please! It’d be really great!
Forgot to mention, just in case anyone’s still wondering, the built-in iSight camera on the new MacBooks works great on Skype.
hi i was video calling my friend and everything was working fine, but all of a sudden my camera stopped working but i could still see her but she couldnt see me. I must of pressed a button or something…but does anyone have an idea how i get my camera back working as everytime i log on now i dont come up when i go to video call.