Skype 2.7 for Mac Beta with Contact Groups and Address Book integration
We thought you’d like to know that we’ve released Skype 2.7 for Mac beta. You are very welcome to download and start playing with it.
Now you can organise your contacts into as many groups as you need. While there are some pre-defined groups (like Online, Recently Contacted, Address Book Contacts), you’re free to add new ones that suit your life. This is very useful to those who are very popular and have a contact list with hundreds of people. Explore this feature under the cogwheel icon 
on the main screen and selecting ‘Show Contact Groups’. See the user guide.
Here’s what else is new:
* See your Apple Address Book contacts in Skype – easily call or SMS anyone who has a phone number in their address-book profile. When sending a SMS, just make sure the number you’re sending to can receive SMS.
* Create and manage public chats by clicking on Chats in the menu bar and choosing Start Public Chat. A public-chat assistant will walk you through the necessary steps.
* Auto Redial for busy or unconnected calls. When your call hits the busy signal, Skype will give you the option of automatic redial every two minutes until the call goes through. This setting can also be adjusted in Skype > Preferences > Calls.
* Easy sound controls – when you need to tweak the sound level during a call, use a simple slider in the call window, or change your device by clicking this icon. 
* Overhauled file transfer – wearing a more fashionable jacket, file-transfer now looks elegant and acts even nicer, especially when receiving many files at once
Oh, and one last thing: if the default language on your Mac is Czech or Norwegian, Skype 2.7 Mac beta will automatically follow suit.
a request for a small fix:
A few versions ago (I think I reported it),
the “Search for Skype Users” window lost its resizable attribute,
i.e. the resize grabber — the striped triangle that appears (usually) in the bottom-right of a resizable window — was lost.
Please can this be restored.
I have just downloaded version 2.6.0.151 and when I double click to start it just bounces twice in the dock and then quits loading. Am I doing something wrong please?
Great work guys, but my question is: when will Skype for Mac support Skypecasts? There are loads of mac user forced to run their virtual machines with Skype for Windows in order to use Skypecasts!
And there are also a lot of other features present in the windows version that are still missing in the mac one. Please, try to bring the two versions at the same level…
Andrea
Good work guys…the groups tool it’s very useful, but I think you should improve it with the option to hide disconnected users!
Some problems with Growl.
When I add contacts from my Address book to another group the only thing that appears in the other group is their phone number. No name or anything. Unless you know every phone number by heart, that’s of no use.
Oh, and another thing. I think it’s really cool that Skype manages to differentiate between Work & Mobile phone numbers from the same contact so that they appear like this in your contact list:
John (Mobile)
John (Work)
But in the address book you can change these descriptions into for example: landline, standard, international, home, 2nd line… It would be cool if Skype could take these descriptions over as well…
this beta is not really working for me (newest macbook pro). logs in but shows no contact-list. works after i deleted all my addressbook prefs…even can re-ad all my contacts with skype running and skype ads the “new” contacts afte a while to the addressbook-group. but that is not really satisfying. not recommended!!
Two things needed:
1. Skype should be able to import Address Book groups as well so that I don’t have to recreate them all again and fill them with exactly the same contacts. Skype groups should slave off of Address Book groups.
2. Skype should lobby (is that the right word?) Apple to include Skype as an IM option in the IM username field in Address Book. There is no clear way to include a Skype username in the Address Book IM username field.
Many thanks!
Thx for the v2.7.0.49 beta…very impressive.
The improved file transfer manager is excellent…dragging a photo event from iPhoto to tranfer multiple photos/videos via Skype works perfectly! (Transfer speeds little slower than iChat though, hope this can be improved over time…)
And when SkypePrime for Mac???????
Why are new features being added to Skype when so many users are still having problems with audio and visual. I have installed every major upgrade since the Mac 2.5.0.85 release and I have subsequently ended up reverting back to 2.5.0.85 on every occasion. I have 2 Skype accounts, one for business and one for personal use and I love the idea of the new address book feature, but what is the point in having it if the person on the other line can’t hear a word I’m saying?
^^^^ Same for me!! Still have to use 2.5. and quite frankly I’m giving up on skype!! I’m sick of paying for a skypeln number that tells everyone I’m not available, the voice quality most of the time is appalling. My preferences change without any help from myself. Cuts me off in the middle of calls and quits when it feels like it!! AND, with all the times I have to ring people and the time I spend on it trying to get it to work, it actually works out to be very expensive!!!!! I am just totally sick of it!!!
Window placement is broken on multiple monitors. On my layout with 2 monitors – main monitor on left, second on right – I launch skype, drag contact list window to top left of right monitor. Quit skype & relaunch. Skype contact window is placed in top right of right monitor.
I have just started using Plaxo, which consolidates all my address books and keeps them up to date, even if a contact updates his/her own record. Would be great if Skype could do the same.
there is a problem in v2.60.151,, i use the usb audio in my PPC G5, when i call phone, if the other side receive the phone, my skype Quit immediately, the history of conversation lost yet! but it work well in the V2.5063. (the problem appeared if the input select the usb audio)
i have test Skype_2.7.0.49_BETA.dmg just,,this problem is existed still
2.7 runs very SLLLOOOWWWLY on my macbook pro with 4 GB RAM! Had to revert to 2.6.
Love the Addy Book integration, but for now 2.6 is the way to go.
When will skype make a version where we can adjust the isight camera to bettter quality?
The Line Input selection for an external mic w/preamp does not work. It has not worked since skype 2.5.0.85
I think ContactGroup that not necessary to show “ALL”.
If I want see all of contact I will change the viewer.
And want to be look like Windows ver.
I confusing a No. of contact which online at “all” & and other group.
one very useful feature i saw on skype for PC (yes, my wife uses a PC) was additional tools/plug ins (do more): one that will rock my world is talk and write or whiteboard – but i can’t seem to find those i skype for mac, not even in the 2.7 beta. is it me or you can only “do more” on a PC?
on a separate note, my bluetooth earphone (nokia hs-26w) is never recognized. but i guess that is a mac, rather than skype, issue. since i saw pleanty of bluetooth postings, i was wondering if there is a workaround to make it work directly with skype
LL
Hi, am using 2.7.0.49 on an early MB Pro (Intel Dual Core, not the later Intel Dual Core 2), with 10.4.10. I’ve a bluetooth stereo headset (i.Tech Blueband R). With the Mac support/non-support for the more advanced bluetooth specs, the extra buttons don’t work, other than volume up/down. I’ve set the preferences to use the BT headset and mike for ringing, in-call audio and mic. However, the Skype Chat noise, indicating a message, is still coming from the main speakers.
If I sign out, then the login window is different from that before signing in – missing logo, different width. Additionally it *seems* to not reconnect on logging in under a different name in a subsequent session. I’ve now tended to kill and restart rather than logout and login.
Groups are a nice addition
Sound quality seems unchanged – it is still much better than my other VOIP services, unless they have a dedicated network connection. I still get the Max Headroom audio effects if there’s any bandwidth shortfall
Cheers, JeremyC.
I’m a teacher using a Mac and I’d like to see the Windows feature of using two Skype-accounts on one computer built into Skype for Mac. I’d like to keep my private chats and chats with pupils seperated. Will that option be added in the near future?
it’s saturday afternoon 5pm (gmt): tried several times to download the new beta – but web site’s engine keep on routing me to the latest stable 2.6.0.151.dmg
u’r having problems, guys?
Using Skype 2.7 on an Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro running 10.4.10 with Free-1 USB phone: A couple of problems: Skype crashes after a few file transfers during a video conference with chat and then will not re-open with the “re-open” button. A machine re-start is necessary. Adding contacts requires quitting Skype and then re-loading before the new contact can be seen in the list. Otherwise, it seems to work OK. I’ve had no problems with my keychain or anything else. 2.6.0.151 works OK and is more stable than 2.7 for me. For those having problems, I’d suggest deleting com.skype.skype.plist with Skype not running and then re-starting Skype. As for SkypePrime, Windows only again. (Sigh). At least that’s slightly better than US only.
I hoped that support for authenticated proxies will be included in this version. On the Mac Skype simply does not work when proxy authtication is set up in the system settings. We use the “Authoxy Workaround”, but of course it would be better to have Skype using the Mac OS X proxy settings…
Any hints in which version this will be fixed? (We used 2.6 and now 2.7 Beta and it isn’t)
Looks as if you don’t plan on delivering ring-count control for forwarding to voice mail or to other phones with this upgrade. It’s a pretty basic setting we’ve been missing for a long time, is it planned to be implemented ever? Thanks!
I have Skype Unimited and am using a MacBook w the newest Skype beta. When I attempt to make a call from Address Book to a regular phone line (really htere is no logical reason to have every contact in both my address book + Skype app) Skype tells me I need to buy credit.
How do I get this to work?
Somebody else’s idea – but I second the motion as this is very important:
“… Also, the whole Address Book is shown in Skype. What I would rather have the chance to add a label “Skype” in Address Book, so that only those contacts that have a Skype number [or those I choose] are shown in Skype window.”
Hi everyone – can ANYONE tell me if there is a way to run multiple skype accounts on my mac at the same time? I have several businesses and use skype accounts for each business and I currently have to log in to an account, then log out and then log in to another account..this is I do not mind, however when I want to advertise my skype with my different businesses and people want to contact me in real-time, this is difficult – surely there must be a way to have multiple accounts (3) open at the same time, right?
Any help and specific advice or instructions would be very muchc appreciated – I am Max OSX 10.4 and using Skype Beta 2.7
what am i missing. i use skype on both pc and mac. on my pc the entire outlook contacts are available whether they are skype contacts or not. on the mac, i can only view those that i have added as skype contacts, how can i view everyone in my entourage contacts? Thanks.
I like the idea but I can already dial with Skype directly from my address book. I tried 2.7 but deleted it straight away because I don’t want my entire address book in Skype – could there be an option to specify a list within the address book? I already do this with my mobile phone so that I only carry the numbers I need from my full contacts list.
I will install the stable version again. This beta is crashing everytime I close a chat window.
after experiencing heavy trouble with skype and checking back with other mac users, i got the link to the 2.7 vers.
but still things sren´t as great as thy could be.
- skype keeps crashing at unexpected actions
- when restarting, it doesn´t remember the users id, and after logging on, all chat histories are gone
- when hitting the button in a chat wndow to add someone to the chat, the appearing window only shows online/ offline-stats, but not the names
- at absolutely unknown events/ actions/ whatever, i cannot copy / paste anything into a chatwindow. Only after quitting the whoöe program and restarting, this will work again.
I really like skype, and seriously hope, that these and the other bugs will be taken care of soon. Skype on Win is so cool, why is this such a problem with mac? i would also like to see larger images of the avatares, this si much better in the win version too.
after experiencing heavy trouble with skype and checking back with other mac users, i got the link to the 2.7 vers.
but still things sren´t as great as thy could be.
- skype keeps crashing at unexpected actions
- when restarting, it doesn´t remember the users id, and after logging on, all chat histories are gone
- when hitting the button in a chat wndow to add someone to the chat, the appearing window only shows online/ offline-stats, but not the names
- at absolutely unknown events/ actions/ whatever, i cannot copy / paste anything into a chatwindow. Only after quitting the whoöe program and restarting, this will work again.
I really like skype, and seriously hope, that these and the other bugs will be taken care of soon. Skype on Win is so cool, why is this such a problem with mac? i would also like to see larger images of the avatares, this si much better in the win version too.
When a contact is added to a Group, it remains listed in the ALL
group.
The new Groups feature works in an unexepected way, and it’s prety
much useles.
There is a serious problem in Skype running under Leopard. Please read this forum thread: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=100329
I have not tried this beta yet, but the previous version 2.6.0.151 overrode the “SMS Message” and “Dial with Cell Phone” options in the Address Book. Now it shows only “Send SMS with Skype” and “Dial with Skype”.
THIS IS HARDLY DESIRABLE.
What we want is to be able to choose either a cell phone or Skype. If internet is available, Skype may be preferred since it may be cheaper, but the Internet may not be always available. On the other hand, the Cell Phone may be available most of the time, although the cost may be a bit higher.
Is there a way to toggle this (or both can coexist), or is the Skype only the way once it is installed (I have Skype Out credit).
Oops, I think I spoke too soon. I was reading an article which talked about how to use the Address Book “SMS Message” and “Dial with Cell Phone”, which never mentioned about a phone plugin. So, I assumed that it should be available out of box as soon as I connect to a mobile via Bluetooth.
However, it turned out to be that I needed a phone plugin to use these.
So, I don’t think that Skype disabled these options over Dail with Skype and SMS with Skype. Sorry about that!
I tried the new version of skype beta for mac. It doesn’t work under OS X Leopard. After the installation you can run the program but after an restart from my computer it doesn’t work.
Can somebody help me? It’s totally stupid because i can’t use skype at this time so long this fault exist.
thx for infos…
Dennis
I don’t know if it’s a matter of restarting the mac… It worked for a couple of days, then I tried anew this morning, after having done another couple of restart, and it didn’t work anymore. The console message is
02/11/07 12:00:42 [0x0-0x3c73c7].com.skype.skype[5238] Main starting
02/11/07 12:00:42 [0x0-0x3c73c7].com.skype.skype[5238] Check 1 failed. Can’t run Skype
the beta version run good on the last mac os x version (leopard) but not skype v6
3 Month after, it still in beta. Come on, what are you waiting for?
Could you please please please add the feature that I can set a different status for the contacts in the different groups?
It would be perfect if I could appear offline to the contacts of the “business” group at night and be still shown online for the contacts set as “friends”. Otherwise I would have to use one account for business and another one for friends which is quite annoying.
Or is there already another solution for mac users?
Thanks,
Dirk.
I second this request, my address in Skype has like double the number, Peter (Home), Peter,(Work), Peter (Mobile) and so on and on for everyone
‘it also seems a little silly that I have the same person as a Skype contact, then as an Address Book contact below it. Shouldn’t there be a way to integrate contacts so you can click on one name, then either contact them on their home number, work number, mobile number, or Skype them? Wouldn’t that be easier?’
Also I’d love to by sync the other way from Skype back to the address book, why?
well I am getting a Skype phone and want to be able to Sync me numbers the other way.
When is Skype going to get around to enabling “remove contact” from the Contact List? When I “upgraded” from 2.6 to 2.7 beta it imported my entire Address Book, including those with local phone numbers, thus adding dozens of contact to my Skype Contacts list I would like to remove. When I select a contact to remove it the “remove contact” option is ghosted.
This bug has been known since August. Why is it taking so long to remove?
Quite unstable I would say.
- Can’t copy / paste from chat windows
- Crashes randomly, often when someone calls.
- Chat history disappeared (that’s really bad. I need to know what I have chatted and agreed with people)
- After restarting, contacts and credit were gone for half hour…
Too bad the protocol is too complex to create an open source version… but since I believe open source is the way to go, I might switch one of these days…
Yes… I prefer open source: OpenWengo
Is it just me or does the volume slider dissapear when the video appears? Guessing the overlay covers it?
Is it just me or does the volume slider dissapear when the video appears? Guessing the overlay covers it?