Skype 4.0 – it's all yours
For those of you who are regular readers of this blog, this should come as no surprise – the gold version of Skype 4.0 for Windows is now ready to download. It’s an exciting day at Skype – and not just because we’ve also just passed the 16 million online user milestone 
– as it marks the final stage in a process which has lasted over two years, and incorporated feedback from tens of thousands users like you.
I’m going to keep this brief, as much of the story of 4.0 has been covered in Peter’s previous posts, but even if you stop reading now, this is the bit to remember: the gold version of Skype 4.0 for Windows is now ready, so download it now and share it with your friends, family and colleagues.
At Skype, we feel that we’re really having an impact on the world when people love to use Skype – chat, make voice and video calls, have group conversations and send files – and in 4.0 we’ve focused on making these features better than ever. To meet that goal, we’ve made a number of dramatic improvements to video calling, ease-of-use and call quality:
- Improved video calling – With the changes we’ve made, video calling in Skype 4.0 for Windows is the next best thing to being there. A new built-in bandwidth manager ensures that you have the very best video calling experience possible, even on a low bandwidth connection. If you have a fast enough connection (recommended 400 Kb/s or higher) and a high quality webcam, Skype delivers up to 30-frames-per-second High Quality Video at full screen.
- Calls and instant messages are easier to manage – video and voice calls, as well as instant messaging, are all easy to reach in a single window. The new Conversations tab makes it easy to hold multiple conversations at once, and to switch quickly between video and voice calls, instant messages and SMS. This is particularly beneficial for the power users among you.
- Call quality is substantially improved thanks to a number of under-the-hood changes. Calls sound richer and clearer than ever thanks to support for Super Wideband Audio with compatible hardware. The bandwidth manager should ensure that you have crystal clear calls even when bandwidth is low.
4.0 also sports a radically overhauled user interface – a slicker, cleaner look with less clutter and easier-to-find core features. We’ve also included Compact View, which retains the structure of the Skype 3.8 interface for those of you who prefer to work that way.
We’ve also improved the History and search features, and have added abuse reporting – if you choose to block a new contact request you’ll now be given the option of reporting the blocked user to Skype. This information will be used to help us detect and block the tiny minority abusive users.
It represents a fundamental change in the way we’ve thought about the software development process, and is the most distinctive new release in Skype’s five year history. We’ve examined every aspect of the software, both inside and out, and taken on board your feedback at every stage. I’m very proud of the work our engineers and designers have put in to this version, and I hope you enjoy the results of their efforts.
just trying to get started with skype 4.0 for windows, everytime i try to download it does not work, says it is having trouble connecting to a download server need help have tried all of the helps so far still get the same results have all the computer requirements
just trying to get started with skype 4.0 for windows, everytime i try to download it does not work, says it is having trouble connecting to a download server need help have tried all of the helps so far still get the same results have all the computer requirements
A big annoyance when chatting: often I copy & paste words/text from earlier pieces of the chat, and the auto quoting is infuriating. *perhaps* it might be useful when pasting an entire block of chat, but it jumps in even if I select a single word from the chat and try and embed it in a sentence.
You can disable quoting in the preferences. As it’s currently implemented it’s of no use having as an option (definitely shouldn’t be default).
It it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Skype 4.0 broke the dial pad feature. Albeit you can dial a number – every input after the number is ignored. Try calling Continental airlines (or a million other phone prompted support linews) and try to enter your frequent fler number. Or for that matter enter a 1 for a new reservation – Nope it doesn’t work anymore.
The new UI is cluttered and confusing. If Skype yearns to be a facebook or an iPhone then release these features as a new product or an add on. If Skype developers can’t resist the temptation to create a solution in search of a problem – at least let the millions of 3.8 users have a “Classic Skype” look and feel selection in there “advanced” UI.
4.0 was not ready for prime time. Skpye needs some gray beards to ride heard on the “kids” doing the development and design.
Rule 1: If it ain’t broke – don’t fix it
Rule 2: Do not create a solution in search of a problem
Rule 3: Skype ain’t Twitter, Facebook or an iPhone
PROOF:
Note: The main dialpad is not functioning at the moment in the latest 4.0 version. We are aware that in some cases it is not possible to dial extension numbers using Skype. We are working to solve this issue.
Should you need more assistance, feel free to contact us again.
Best regards,
Dmitri K.
Skype Support
Yes, Skype is the best communication free software Pc to Pc. All my long distance calls are from PC to land phone no’s, unlimited talks US and Canada cost $29/year. However, I am not happy with the latest version skype #4+ and have switched back to Skype 3+, luckily I had the earlier version still in my download file. The latest version calls are dropped, have to click ‘view ‘to get to contact or history. A display in Skype 3+ is simple, easy and fast, all I need to communicate. I am member of Skype for years and version 4 is worst rather than better.
I love Skype, but … I am absolutly sure that keeping the new interface will make Skype success deteriorate quickly. IT IS UNUSABLE.
This is my first ever product comment. The only reason I wrote it is to ask the Skype Product Management team not to dissmiss all the comments on this page. I recommend you quickly go back to the old interface so you can maintain your success and service.
Waiting too long will make people move to other tools.
AL.
Skype 4.0 does not recognize Outlook phone numbers. Like so many others, I will continue to use 3.8 until this dreadful problem is corrected. Clearly the developers of Skype have no idea how we are using skype out here in the RW.
I foolishly clicked on the update notification, hey, you just assume it’ll be a security update or a bit of improved look and feel, perhaps, even some extra functionality…
No, it is a completely new application. A huge dialogue appeared, taking up loads of space and I thought “here we go, programmers love to change things, like to make you do what they want, their way”. After about an hour of trying to communicate with people (the whole point of Skype) I’d had enough.
Several people who I normally chat to resorted to video calling me (annoying when you don’t need to do it) and wondered why I hadn’t responded to their chat messages. Simple. The icon in the system tray had changed colour. Not much use if your taskbar is set to autohide.
I downgraded to 3.8 and when that is no longer supported, I’ll probably stop using Skype altogether and move over to Google Talk.
Have been very happy on 3.8, installed 4.0 on a new machine and am going to take if off very quickly. Group chat management has lost features (kick, kick and ban, etc), I can’t easily rejoin a chat I’ve left, etc. Once 3.8 is gone our project conferencing moves over to Gizmo or SIP or Jabber/Gtalk. 4.0 is plain unusable. We could live with a new interface, it it hadn’t lost features in the “upgrade”. That being said, I don’t particularly like it either. It wastes a great deal of space….for example the list of users in a group IM is very space inefficient. I also have to use other teleconf servicee…and without the dial pad I can’t…have started to use Gizmo for that. That’s some of my money you’re not getting…
You can revert back to Version 3.8.0.188 by going to the download page. Because 4.0 does not support accessibility options this previous version is offered as an alternative to the 4.0. Save the executable that you download in case Skype decides to “upgrade” you without your consent AND removes the link to the previous version. To Skype: The version 4 interface is a user turn-off. I was going to abandon Skype completely until I found the install for the 3.8 version…
I hate the new interface. I hate having to flick back and forth between the contacts and comversation tab. It’s ridiculous that the thing now bloats my entre desktop (and that compact mode has only half the funcionality. If someone messages me and I start chatting to them, the orange dot indicating a new messgage remains until I manually got to the stupid conversations tab and click on the event myself.
And numerous other things that make the interface SO much less intuitive. I wish I could give more detail on exectly what I mean, but I know my experience in using it always leaves me feeling frustrated… and I know so many of my other Skype friends also feel exactly the same.
I’ve got v3 right here, ready to install, but I’m still weighing it up… If it wasn’t for these mythical improvements in call quality I would have done it already. I’ll just have to wait and see how ong I can’t stand this inferface for…
QUOTE “@bettortrader we’ll be reintroducing Send Contacts in a future version – keep your eyes peeled “
Thanks for the brief reply. May I ask then, what about my history only showing back 6mths since the upgrade and the all mysterious delays with group chats. I’ve been asking for an answer for 3yrs now.
We have clients who get the chats a week after they happen. We may have 150 people in the chats but even as low as 20 and still the same problem for some people.
I have emailed, I have sent smoke signals but no one ever seems to get back to me on that. Does anyone else have the same problem or does anyone else out there have an answer?
I understand that Skype uses technology similar to P2P programs. Does this mean some traffic could be blocked by AV, firewalls, the dreaded Nortons etc or even ISPs themselves?
I agree with rsktech_rask. Some of us are business users and the quality of service is extremely lacking. The amount of times I have sent emails not to have them responded to is unbleiveable.
With 20million plus users, I imagine it would be hard to respond to all emails of course but some of these problems have been around for years and there has been no change. I have not even been responded to regarding becoming an affiliate etc.
Even billing don’t respond at times. One would think Skype is more than financially viable and capable in implementing a better system for responding to business and paid customers at least, especially when they are responsible for many of their users. Happy people always bring you more business.
Skype is in a great posistion to remain the industry leader and our favourite and ‘sworn by’ communication tool but watch out, someone may just see an opportunity here.
Regards,
Kevin Riddell
Director
Bettortrader
Listen… I’ve never commented in a Skype blog about Skype. Never. I have better things to do. However, I can no longer stay silent about this new Skype UI (4.0).
It wastes my screen real estate. It continues to nag me about missed calls even after I’ve viewed the event in the history list (or whatever it’s called). How unintuitive. It is more complex than the previous UI which means I have to sit down and explain the whole thing to my wife as she ATTEMPTS to video conference with her family in Morocco. It’s becoming hard for me to continue justifying this silly upgrade to her. She doesn’t understand it and I’m feeling the same way.
When something isn’t broken, perhaps it shouldn’t be “fixed.” Fine, you want to upgrade the video quality. That’s great. Then do it. But there is NO WAY you can rationalize the other changes that have been made to what previously was a fine interface. Change this. Please. For the love of Christ.
I really think that SKYPEME mode should come back.
I 110% agree with the many previous posters. Please examine your heads skype developers.
“-new interface horribly un-intuitive. if people love the old 3.8 layout, why not incorporate it into 4.0″
I have been with Skype since day one. I have used it and converted friends to it and others. Lets be positive first. Its a great program and saves me heaps of $$. The new version 4 is a total sham. Poor interface. Cant see who is online etc etc. I have tried to persevere along with many friends. We have all decided to return to version 3.8 today.
Keep working on it.
Cheers Bill
Ok – I think there’s a general consensus on here that Skype 4.0 sucks, there’s no need for me to repeat what everyone else has said.
Me, I’ve gone back to 3.8 because my Logitech USB Speakerphone doesn’t work with 4.0 – and everyone else has their own pet reason – but the basic question to Skype is, ARE you working to fix all the bugs in 4.0 and make a 4.1, or are we wasting our time discussing this?
And more importantly, if you are, what is the planned release date for 4.1?
ok, maybe i’m a bit too late to comment, but whatever! i just installed skype 4 and that’s when the whole confusion begins. i was using 3.8, my bf uses 4.0. we wanted to play some game together and he asked me where to access the menu. i told him step-by-step based on the 3.8 interface and he went “where is it? i can’t find that thing” for like tens of times. and i went “oh, is that the vista version?” coz my skype check update says i have the latest version. i regret the decision of going to the website and downloading 4.0. yup. vista alright. glossy memory hogging program with pre-installed confusion. i’ve been with skype since 0.98 beta (with red logo, not sure of the x.xx.xxx.xxxx version number format) and 4.0 is the worst i’ve tried so far.
i can’t effectively temporarily hide my video call (on tab) by switching the tabs or covering it with some other window while still typing at the same time. or just switch the webcam on and not typing (i surf the web and resize the browser to 75% of the screen).
i didn’t know how to switch to multiple windows until just now i read one of the comments above. and that’s more than halfway to the bottom of this page (i usually skip comments after i read a few, i could’ve simply missed that very helpful comment). you call the multiple windows “compact” and the one-window-for-all “default” when skype from the earliest beta to 3.8 had been implementing the multiple window format.
the file transfer box is gone and i was asked why i didn’t accept the file transfer just because i missed that line (it got lost after some 20-30 lines of typing i had to scroll up to accept the file). and i can’t see the progress. and i just found out by hovering the mouse over the file icon i can see the transfer speed and size of the transferred file. isn’t that convenient?
i am bugged by the messages with the orange dot, and that’s how i came across this page. the orange notification showed 20 messages with orange dot on the side right when i’m online and chatting! i replied to my bf’s message and he replied back. all his messages was marked with the orange dot. and the BIGGEST problem is i had to scroll down everytime i wanted to type something because the idiot program kept on scrolling back to the first message with the orange dot (i answered to questions he didn’t ask. to be more accurate: the questions he asked hours/days ago, probably will be asking again later. it’s either i’m a psychic or i’m a psycho. or skype is just plain stupid). i clicked on the orange notification like some mouse-click addict to get rid of the notification but everything failed. had to scroll down for the latest message every single time. it’s frustrating. until i accidentally right-clicked the name on the left tab and found ‘mark as read’. huh? the whole frustrating session can be ended with a couple of clicks? (btw i hate the left tab. contact list has always been on the right side no matter what IM i’m using. i even have my googlemail chat on the right)
i’m not done exploring the new “improved” skype. i don’t even know if i want to know more. the new skype is like vista of the microsoft os, and office 2007 of the ms office suite. like “look, now i can put glossy glass reflection effects on the pictures, but i don’t know how to insert page breaks” kind of stuff. and for those who say “you can always learn the way around new stuff” sheesh… don’t you guys ever have the situation where you have deadline to catch where you’re in the middle of something important and time critical and you’re stuck with “new and improved” upgrades that requires you to learn from scratch just to use the basics
maybe these skype people should put ‘getting started’ video and ‘no thanks’ checkbox so we users can skip the video once we’re accustomed to the new interface.
oh… can you please add something the opposite of skypeme mode? i hate getting strangers sending me messages when i’m not even in skypeme mode (in previous version) and some people just don’t understand ‘do not disturb’ even when i put the red sign on. please put something like ‘exclude me from skypeme search’ (when people in skype me mode searching for another user) and prompt me if the searcher is not in skypeme mode. i hate missing alerts when i’m in DND mode and i also hate the stupid ‘hi’ messages popping up when i’m in online mode (i never put mine in skypeme mode) but those people never understand
Skype forced me to update to v4.0… this version is horrible. When I choose a contact imported from outlook a new separate window opens. When I choose to call a number a 3rd independent window opens… why do I need 3 windows when the old version just had one?
This will cause me to scale way back my use of Skype…
@dcasciato sounds like you’re using compact view – here’s how to change to the default view.
Question about a green vertical bar on incoming video.
I am using video calls with two friends, not very frequently but from time to time. Earlier I had no problem but now a broad green vertical bar is disturbing the incoming video. The vertical bar takes about 25% of the video screen and appears in the middle – about the same apperance as a test bar on old TV:s when setting new channels.
Has anyone out there experienced this problem? How can I solve this? Is the problem located to my computer or to the one I am talking to? The problem apperared some few months ago – could be at the time when I upgraded to the latest Skype release, but I am not sure.
I would appreciate a hint of what to do!
Gunnar in Sweden
@gunnarern it sounds like it’s a problem with the computer you’re talking to. Ask the person you’re speaking to to check their webcam drivers and settings, and please let me know if you continue to have problems.
I am getting the fllowing error thing:
The number you’re trying to call is currently not supported by skype.
Any ideas how can make the call?
I left cliked on the link showing after the error message, and takes me to no where.
I am using Skype since last 3 years and never had any issues. But the day I have upgraded the Version 4.0, facing lot of issues. It is the worst Skype version. Did’nt expect such a bad upgrade (rather call downgrade) from skype.
I am going back to previous version.
Skype 4.0? The version that COULD sink Skype and convince eBay to dump Skype which is a loser anyway!I have been a fanatical promoter of Skype since its inception and I lived with its early faults like address book happily. Skype 4.0 can only be described as a travesty. It is about as fast as Net2phone was in 1996! (And remember, AT&T paid a $1 billion for Net2phone and, they went under, not a good portent for poor old eBay who is still suffering Skype as a LOSER service) Version 4.0 is user unfriendly, unintuitive and the install actually took out my settings. Most of my friends have been unable to get video to work. The call quality using a 30meg FIOS connection and a brand new SONY laptop was dreadful, that is, for the few seconds before it dropped for the nth time! The vido expanded to a screen was so blocky it was worthless. Worthless unless one keeps the image at postage stamp size. Chat stuck on bottom of frame means one can not see prior conversation threads. Unless the developers who wrote Skype 4.0 fix it fast, many new users will find they are unable to use it and go back to AIM or Yahoo or something new! WAKE UP Skype developers! Fix this FAST or you may have sunk the best communicator there ever was! Maybe you are a new bunch hired by eBay and NOT the real Skype guys of old? I am seriously mad at you! Give me back my Skype that WORKED! Skype 4.0 is almost useless.
@eduardo.tamez.herrera are you able to call the same number from a landline or mobile?
First Comment ever, on an IM service forum.
Tried 4.0 for a week on my laptop, wow…
Just reinstalled 3.8, if i’m required to use 4.0 i’m leaving Skype.
AGREE:
First Comment ever, on an IM service forum.
Tried 4.0 for a week on my laptop, wow…
Just reinstalled 3.8, if i’m required to use 4.0 i’m leaving Skype.
Please please please bring back all the Public Chat features of Skype 3 into Skype 4.0
Many gaming communities, clans, alliances etc rely on this feature and doing so has lead to me using it more in our business environment.
We did not use skype before using it in gaming, and now we’re buying skype credits..
timmendorf
I agree. Bring back the Call Rates! Why drop them? Well I’ll tell you one personal experience. I got a phone number and rang it, little did I know it was a UK mobile number – I assumed it was a UK landline. So I talk away and spend 10times the cost I thought I was going to.
This appears to me a subtle manner in which to marginally increase revenue. It stinks and is deceptive.
Skype’s v4 interface is in a word… terrible. I’m not talking about the colors or little design elements, I am referring to usability. It is counter-intuitive. I would be happy to provide a list of comments and suggestions on where the GUI is really failing, but all Skype needs to do is use the darn thing everyday and it will become obvious what the problems are. Simple items such as:
- making calls
- making conference calls
- viewing history
- viewing contact details
- editing contact numbers (geez is this one bad)
- the list goes on and on
If Skype wants more details and promises to listen, I would be happy to talk. Just contact me.
Ever since upgrading to the latest version I have lost the ability to copy into the Instant Messaging window. Since my primary use of this tool is to share information this makes the tool useless for me.
Any chance this will be fixed?
I do not like the way Skype 4.0 functions … it is more difficult to use than the 3.x versions and basically looks crappy. This is a classic case of pinheads thinking that they know more than those who use the program do… Skype you screwed up. I want to go back to my old version.
AllanG
Atlanta
I am retreating back to Skype 3.8 … going back where the grass was green and life was good. What a hassle 4.1 is… eck.
AllanG
Atlanta
The UI really sucks! I’ve just been forced to update to version 4. I am getting all version 3.8 from oldapps.com
I agree with many posts above, the UI is not friendly, I don’t know what to click on and even worst, how do I explain my parents how to use it?!
Add me to the list of people that think the skype 4 redesign was a huge step backwards. The loss of speed dial is also really a big shafting for people that have bought your certified products from partners (although most of your partners seem to have abandoned support too). The UI is clumsy and overcomplicated, the unification of windows was implemented very poorly. I’m actually quite surprised that this iteration passed internal checks.
It looks like Skype is placing too much emphasis on instant messaging and video chat. Why not keep the core business of cheap telephone calls and leave the instant messaging and video chat to Microsoft and Yahoo?
Or, how about this: Provide two versions of Skype; one that only does telephony and another that has the bloated functionality including IM and video chat.
Speed dial is the most important feature to me. Sadly, this upgrade dropped it.
I’m getting error messages when I sign in, which never happened before. And my call was still dropped.
Also, please add the remove history feature again.
In my first attempt to use Skype in video mode I called my sister who has Skype. Our only contacts are each other.
The problem: I could see and hear her, but she could only hear me, but not see me.
Or…..
She could see me but not hear me!
We could not see and hear each other no matter what we tried to do.
Any suggestions ? Thank you
@gcozyris take a look at this guide and let me know if it helps.
The Skype 4 interface sucks. 3.8 was much simpler and better made. You guys threw away gold.
A few months ago you changed the user interface entirely, making it pretty much unusable for my needs, from which I had to rollback to 3.X. I’ve been quite happily running on 3.X since then. This morning, Skype says it wants to update some files, so I let it as usual. Transpires it is not simply an update, but that it installs the new version again. So, are you basically forcing people onto the new interface now? It’s a very poor layout for people with multiple monitors who have been using Skype and other conf. services to work alongside other programs for years now.
The new version is also extremely COUNTER-INTUITIVE. Where is my chat icon when I click on a user? Where are my outlook contacts? Why are all the icons green, making them less distinguishable from each other? I cannot think of a single positive reason for the end-user for making all the icons so similar!? You’ve removed speed-dial also!? Really?
I actually cannot see how you’ve made the overall interface more intuitive. I know that sometimes new versions of software sometimes bring in a lot of complaints and that Skype, the creator, believes they will benefit the end user and hence will ‘ride it out’. BUT I simply CAN NOT believe that the creators at Skype even believe it themselves, that this is a better interface. It’s appalling, truly.
Sorry skype – have to agree with many of the other posts. This is a MUCH worse version than 3.x Not being able to have multiple chat windows open at once is a killer for me as I try to manage people remotely. I’m heading off to find a downgrade immediately.
I dont even want to be nice about it. I’ve been using skype for many many years and all I have to say is that some retards coded 4.x’s features and interface.
3.8 seriously has the advantage.
Both my wife and I dislike version 4.0 very much. After using 4.0 for over a month, we have lost patience with it and ‘upgraded’ back to version 3.8. We will stay on this version for as long as we can.
Just to add my 2 cents worth, I really do not know how anyone can find this better than the previous version. It should be simple and efficient with a good overview.
As it used to be was perfect. Please look to version 3 of your application when making your next upgrade. I hope it will be sooner rather than later!
Recently I have noticed that I can no longer receive video from certain countries with the 3.8 version on PC.This is something that just “started happening”!I installed 4.0 update and,now I recieve video without a hitch?I do like ONE feature about 4.0,,that being better video calls.However the missing features like SKYPE MODE ,the “question mark” status which clearly indicated who was still on your list,and acsess to reading profile info.(now there is simply a name!?)
I don´t mind admitting I enjoy flirting on Skype(as so many do)and Skype mode made it clear as to who was open for a chat.
Why was Skype mode removed?Was it the onslaught of webcam solicitors?Plus, I notice that the links to the webcam sites are no longer visible,,this I DO like!!
Version 4 sucks.
In ver 3.8 the you just need to click on the persons name and you could see what time it was with them just under their name, ie local time.
Now you can’t do that and I have no easy way to tell what time it is with any of my contacts.
It seems they have removed this feature entirely. No matter what I do I can’t find local time for a contact. I have already gone back to 3.8, and am looking at googles offering, part of their email service gmail.
I have to go outside the program to get the time of any contact and I have lots all around the world.
Why would skype wreck their program?
Also the program help sucks too. It should be easy to learn about all the new features of the software ver 4 and get any get explanations as to why old features are dropped, but NOOOOOOOOOO not in skype 4.
Why not have a screen dump of old and new screens (versions) and explain about each part? like why old great parts are gone.
Skype update??? If I wanted the new version then I would install it!!!! I now have to re-install something that I did not want removed in the first place as I was quite happy with it!!!! I find the new version baffling…….!! Skype take note!!! Judging by previous comments it would appear that the new version is not very popular.. I. for one find it very difficult to use.
Yep, “upgrading” to 3.8, turning off further updates to avoid 4.0. Skype had better not lose any of my history doing this.
Thanks to nik-nitro for the link to the old app.
…Stu
nik-nitro commented Wednesday, Mar 11
Oh yeah, whoever needs the latest of old version of Skype for Windows, go here:
http://www.oldapps.com/skype.php?old_skype=76#Download