Group video calling coming to the Mac later this year
As you’ve no doubt seen on the Big Blog, we’ve launched a beta version of Skype for Windows which includes group video calling for up to 5 people.
I’d like to reassure you that we haven’t forgotten about the Mac. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Our Mac team has been working harder than ever on a very exciting new version of Skype for Mac, which we expect to arrive later this year. It’ll include group video calling, as well as one or two other surprises. Stay tuned!
I use Skype on a daily basis to talk my friends, who are all on PC with the current Beta. They all mock me as I can’t join in the video talks nor can I do half the things they can do with the Windows version of Skype.
I have looked at the version Windows is on, which is 4.3 atm while Mac is at 2.8. Windows being almost double in versions, which gets update every few months while the last Mac update was a year ago. This make me feel like almost deleting Skype as the lack of support Skype is giving this old and outdate app. I was extremely disappointed with the Mac version and I’m not too optimistic of the new one if it ever comes out.
Can anyone tell me if and how i can take the icon off of my desktop. One thing i have loved about my mac is having everything in the dock on the bottom, but with the skype 2.8 version it places a icon on the dock, as well as one on my desktop. I have tried to delete one of them but it only gives me the option to eject it, but that only uninstalls the program. What is the point in having 2 icons (shortcuts) that go to the exact same thing?? FRUSTRATED!
bethfrazier13: You have the disk image mounted and have not installed skype. double click the icon desktop, then drag the skype app into your applications folder. then eject the desktop “icon” launch skype from applications or from spotlight, or drag the app onto your dock.
skype: Please, hire some developers and get the release out. We’re all waiting for the multi chat functionality. At least communicate with us letting us know the progress and when to expect.
can anyone tell me why the “skype me” mode stopped working in Mac? the skype me mode, instead of giving a list of few peoples who are actually in the skype me mode, is giving the large list of all the people, who are not in the skype me mode or not even online or “user not found”.
So, Peter (Parkes)…. answer the questions that no-one has yet answered:
1. “When exactly will the new version of Skype for MAC be released?” – if you can’t give a launch date, at least give us a progress report or ‘target date’.
2. “Which of the known problems above will be solved?”
FYI, my main issue is with audio quality fading in and out, on almost every call it happens every few minutes. I have a high quality microphone, it’s not a hardware issue, its a Skype software issue on the MAC. Like many people, need to use a MAC for my business, you guys are letting the growing MAC community down.
Jon Lavelle
I will be happy to see when the new version comes out. I would like to see the windows managed better than what they are now. It seems difficult to move around the other options in skype and the windows make it cluttered on the screen. When I swipe to pick a window I want to work with the other screens get in the way of working with what I really want. I do hope the new version come out much sooner than later.
WOW group video chat. amazing. yet they can’t make this product a bit more friendly for the blind user on a mac? c’mon! I can’t answer a call using a keyboard. I have to use a mouse which is impossible for me to use. hello, you support in windows, but i don’t run windows. get a clue skype. I want my access NOW. I am tired of waiting while you add “gee wiz” features I can’t use.
The one feature I hope for the MOST is the ability to be able to join a conference call at your own will. Rather than having to wait for someone to call/add you to it.
what about linux? don’t forget linux please
I have CONSTANT drop-outs using Skype on my MacBook and my MacBook Pro. The drop-outs occur about every 60-120 seconds. It’s horrible.
I don’t understand what’s causing the drop-outs, or what I can do to boost the signal. I have a Cisco wireless router, and it’s supposed to have two different bandwidths, to cover this problem, but still Skype has MAJOR problems.
Is there an ETA on this? It’s been three months since this blog post – you guys must be getting close? Not having video conferencing has turned our international, mac-using company away from Skype almost entirely. iChat isn’t nearly as versatile, but at least we can SEE everyone. Get on it, Skype!
I’m having a lot of trouble with the above issues also. I really encourage you to get the update out ASAP. I’m almost sick of waiting.
Beforce adding new features, maybe your teams should works on the UI and finish some feature…
UI so outdated… Using skype on a PC is so much better! It’s a shame for your designers!
Still no games to play with PC skypers etc. etc. etc.
Can we also have the ability to record conversations or take snapshot, apologies if this has already been covered but new to Skype and having set up someone on PC as well, very frustrated to find MAC version does not operate the same way!
where is it? i switched over to a mac and seriously considering looking for a company wide alternative to skype. the mac version is rubish. everythings hard to find, if you make a call you have three windows open. three windows! no option to make it into one. the drawer is rubbish. everything about it is rubbish. apparently the last update was 15 months ago. WHERE IS IT!
where is it. mac skype is terrible. give us a date.
This is ridiculous! The last Skype update for Mac was 15 months ago, which to me almost makes me think that its no longer developed for. What makes me think of this even more is that now Skype Beta on Windows has a second update to it making it even better while we are still stuck on an program a year+ out of date with a Beta thats taking forever to be released or not at all.
I used to like Skype so much…
Earth to Mac Skype developers, anyone there?
Peter?
Anyone?
Oh c’mon. You say you are working harder than ever to produce a better version of skype for mac users, and yet the windows version gets the beta.. gets more features..
seriously, i’m tired of you developers treating skype like it is some crap.
is anyone still readin this??? or developing for Mac? Last SW release more than a year ago, last blog post 4 month ago…
i really NEED skype to fix this idiotic “switch to nVidia” behaviour!!!
skype, you are the worst. I wish google drestroys you. Atleast they don’t leave other OS systems stranded for months!
The mac development of Skype is a joke. The last version has been released more than a year now! It seems that the mac development will be closed. You guy are updating the windows version all the time, but what about the mac users? Just be honest with us and admit that you are not interested in mac platform or whatever.
One can only hope that after a wait this long, the Skype for Mac developers are going to provide us with something worthwhile. FaceTime compatibility perhaps…?
What is going on with skype on mac?
The apps is awful, the comments before points most of them. At least give us some info about the progress! Skype on windows is wonderful why not on mac?
Hire some experienced mac developers and release an appropriate version!
I used to love skype…
P.S.
DOES SKYPE DEVELOPERS READ THIS AT ALL?
The ONLY negative to switching from MS Windows to Mac OS has been that the Mac version of Skype is so far behind the Windows version. It must be possible to bring the Mac version up to date & make the UI exactly the same as the Windows version. New versions of Skype for Windows are regularly being released…but the last new Mac version was released well over a year ago
Hi,
I hope the development team is reading these posts. It would be great to a least get a target date and list of anticipated feature additions. I hear good things about the Windows beta and would like to know when we Mac zealots will see some of these added features. One item I am wondering about in particular that works on the Windows version is the compatibility with the Panasonic TY-CC10W Skype adaptor for their HDTV’s. The audio works now but the video is the real reason for this adaptor.
Please give us at least a peek at the roadmap.
I am dissapointed about the current status of skype for mac.
To avoid such state of utter frustration, keep the people informed…
Developers, what are you waiting for? Or do we have to think that next version for Mac Os will be 5.0 or 6.0 ?!?!?! Because if it isn’t so, waiting 15 months or more to upgrade to 2.9 or 3.0 , would be really discreditable…..
Wake up!!
We are September 2010!!
I really hope it comes out soon. Some things I’d like to see:
1. M$ and Mac versions should have the same features. There’s no reason to jib Mac users.
2. Better support for international calls or calls from pc to mobile phone. I get some very choppy and audio garbage during calls. Not too mention dropped calls all the time.
3. Efficient programming. As a coder myself it drives me bananas that my laptop is almost setting my pants on fire for a video call. There’s got to be some way to make it more efficient.
I’m getting close to getting a new laptop. I thought about getting another mac, but I’m not sure I want to do that anymore…not just because of skype and other software developers not caring about macs (which is insanely foolish since it’s a good market to target).
When is it coming out?? At least throw a beta out there for us to play with.
Oh, one more thing:
Standardize extras/plugins. The .sparc files and addons for pc should port to others systems. Have skype manage itself and not be so tied to the OS it’s sitting on. It’s incredibly frustrating that there are 10 different call center software/plugins for MS, but not for Mac (or linux)
It’s actually pretty appalling how long it has been since Skype was last updated.
I think anything short of mobile video call integration (via FaceTime or integrated into the Skype app) would be a massive disappointment. One can only hope that’s why it’s taking so long for an update….
No. Really. At this point even an update to parity with the current Windows beta would be VERY disappointing.
although I dont have any problems with my skype now but its clunky and the icons are quite janky and needs a update or a beta because the ui is just getting old so please update. The 5 person video im not so concerned about although i’d love to see it
im going to start a facebook campaign. everything about it is bad. the drawer is bad. lots of diferent windows is bad, not having the additional numbers o the profile is bad. not being able to keep it as one console is bad. the way key features are hard to find is bad. just give us a clue. let us know!
Please, add a possibility in the UI to block the audio “Auto Gain Control” (@ ) as in the Windows version. Ordinary users are afraid editing the “shared.xml” in TextEdit to block the AGC.
Thank you.
this is really bothering me, i just got my macbook pro a couple of months ago and my friends all have pc’s, and chose a mac because honestly its the best, and when we try to skype i can only hear their voices, it is really disappointing to me because so many people brag about skype, but for mac users it’s completely outdated
The year is almost over, but skype is a good program just still really buggy. Needs a update ASAP, please. I believe in skype, can you put out a beta?
I have no problem connecting, talking and seeïng friends on pc’s from my mac. I am located in the Netherlands and have friends in France and Finnland.
Waiting so long for group video calling gets very boring.
Does “later this year” mean “end of this year”?
Is this blog here really alive?
And Skype for Mac??
Hello, is there anybody out there (from You Skype-guys)?
This is really annoying! I have waited a long time for a new version of skype to come out for mac. It has been over a year since their last major update. If this is how skype treats mac users then they will be phased out for some other video calling service.
One word: FaceTime.
Jesus Christ, when are gonna release it?!?!?!?
Wondering why they just can’t have both versions exactly with the same features!!! I just love the version for PC with the possibility of memorizing various phone numbers for a contact!! So you can just choose if you want to call him on skype or mobile/home/office number through Skype!!
Com’on Skype!!! Release a good version!!!! (SOON!!!)