The next big step – say hello to group video calling
Today we’re offering you a preview of our brand new version of Skype, which supports group video calling for up to 5 people.
With the latest version, you’ll be able to bring the whole family together for a chat, for lunch, or even for a birthday. You’ll be able to spend quality time with your best friends, planning a trip, or even hosting a book club. And you’ll be able to meet with colleagues from across the world without leaving your desk.
Be aware that group video calling is currently in ‘beta’ – this means that there might be a few rough edges, and that it might not work perfectly every time. We welcome your feedback – either in the comments below, on Twitter, or via our dedicated feedback survey. We’re planning to release an updated official version later this year, but if you’re keen to try it today, you can download the new version of Skype now.
To make group video calls, the people you’re calling will also need to be running the new version, so make sure you let your friends and family know they can also download the beta by posting this on Facebook and Twitter. Once you’re all set up, it’s easy to start a group call – just use the Add button to invite people into the conversation, and click the Video Call button.
To get the best experience possible, you’ll need a fast, uncongested Internet connection and a reasonably new computer, but we’ve developed group video calling to work on a wide variety of connection types and hardware.
Group video calling is just one in a set of new premium features you’ll see us roll out during 2010. We haven’t set prices for these premium features yet, but rest assured that we’re still absolutely committed to bringing you free voice and two-way video calling.
Oh, and for those Mac users out there, don’t worry – we’ll be launching group video calling on the Mac later in the year too 
Enjoy!
How nice of you to mention Linux and that all this Skype goodness is coming our way too. Owh… wait…
This is great. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time but sadly most of my contacts are Mac users! Please release the mac version sooner than later. Please!
Thanks
+1 on Mac and +1 on Linux too!
Seriously.
I use it every day and bring more and more of my coworkers and customers to the platform too. Thanks for the hard work!
I’m not liking the sound of ‘later in the year’ for Mac users. That’s a little vague, could you be more specific? I would have thought there’s enough Mac Skype users out there by now that the software for each platform would be developed concurrently.
Fingers crossed the Mac version arrives sooner rather than later.
I really like it. All we need is a Skype MP3+Video recorder. Keep up the good work! ^^
+1 For Linux and +1 for BlackBerry, I will love to see the transfer feature in Skype and group video calling. Also a version for BlackBerry would be very useful!
Keep up the great product you have!
You keep forgetting that Mac users are huge evangelists online and by ignoring Mac users and only taking care of them much later you are losing out on a lot of positive word of mouth that you could be getting.
+1 on Mac and Linux versions.
I really take it for granted that this will come to Mac and Linux as well. Of course the Linux version should be easily ported to Maemo/Meego.
I do see a problem with the mobile space. So many platforms, so much fragmentation. But big parts of the client (at least) could be made Open Source and that would basically have you covered on Maemo/Meego, Android, S60 and WebOS.
Hi ya,
Just wondering is there a problem with the latest skype?? I updated my yesturday and I am running 64-bit windows 7 OS but when i close skype it closes down completely or when i minimize it , it will only go to the start bar where before it used to run in the back ground and if i clicked the up arrow beside the clock it used to be there….
All you people whining about “no Mac now…..why?”, stop your driveling. That’s what you get when you buy a platform with a minority uses.
Are you saying they should blow off the majority in favor of you whiners?
@daniel.cantwell head to Tools > Options > Advanced – you can change that behaviour there.
Very good idea
Can anybody out there help me actually use Skype’s video capability? I’m running Windows XP SP3, using brand new Microsoft LifeCam 3.0 Show HD webcam, have loads of bandwidth and high-speed ISP, have NO other programs running, but cannot get my video to work going out. I can see and hear other party but they can only hear me–not see me. My screen remains black with something going round and round but nothing is open on my PC that would ‘capture’ video away from Skype so I don’t understand?? Anytime I select anything about video on Skype, I get message box pop-up on my PC saying Skype has a problem and needs to shut down and do I want to send error report to Microsoft. I’ve removed Skype 4.2 software and then downloaded it again in case there was glitch in the original download, but still no video going out on Skype. My webcam works beautifully on its own. I can capture video clips and photos but it just won’t work with Skype??? Do you or anyone who has experienced this problem have a suggestion for me as to what to do next? I’ve been trying to successfully use Skype for over 2 days now and I’m at my wits end as to what to try next.
So are you saying that group video calling is going to be a premium feature and cost money??? That would be terrible.
Nice move!
All our company is based on Linux desktops.
Available to help you with a massive multi-part Beta testing.
thanks,
TVBLOB.com
Great! Now waiting for the Mac client (and video on the iPhone).
thea1847… have you tried any -other- video apps, so that you know the MS LifeCam is working, videowise? Also, get the latest drivers, etc. Try the Skype 5 beta to see if it detects your LifeCam better.
so you keep updating the windows and mac versions yet for years linux is still in beta…….. i think its time for you to start showing some real initiative when it comes to the open source community with getting the linux version up to date, i have noticed that the newer the windows operating system that one person is on the crappier the performance when it comes to the linux version
I like Skype 4.2 a lot, but Skype 5 Beta is going wrong way. I put bugs on a side (thay will be corrected over time) I really do not like when on group audio chat, this screen appears and covers almost all Skype app, also when I see other Skype user shared screen, why for threre is this user avatar constantly on the display, taking about 1/3 of the space?
Skype 4.2 is great IM – just add multi-cam, with no useless bells and whistles
Download link not working..
@vidyesh_modey try using this link (downloads directly) – let me know if you’re still having problems.
This group calling is fantastic but I think I won’t pay for this feature, I will stay at two-way calling.
thea1847…Curious about what happens when you try the echo test site “bill-on-skype-video-echo”, where you can connect to a muted live video feed to test Skype?
please make it free
what’s the recommended internet speed for a group video call?
I love Skype from day 1. It is bad that you are coming up with a new version, beta version, to be tested only on Windows and promising it will be available for Mac and says nothing about Linux.
I was going to tested and send feedback, but I don’t like then later I’ll have to pay for it. So since my group is not able to pay it will be a waste of time to try it. If Skype wants to collect money for this service it should be using the money that I and others are paying to them to do their RD. I already spent more than u$s 800 on Skype hardware and more than u$s 300 a year in communications. I’m not going to test it, and everybody should do the same. Skype is sky rocketing and somebody in the company thinks it can start charging for PC-2-PC calls. Next step is going to be charging the one-on-one calls.
There’s a history in this behavior that you can see it coming. Without saying a word Skype not only left Mobile Windows users out of the market, they took the page out of the website, like somebody rewriting the stories on a newspaper in George Orwell’s “1984″. Skype is not only not supporting this software available now only for Verizon’s Android (???) and Apple’s iPhone, but also taking every link down for the old software that was still running on my Sprint HTC Touch Pro until it had to be replaced yesterday and I now I can’t reinstall it: the file cab is nowhere.
We need the founders of the company back in their chairs. Or maybe they can do something “indirectly”.
It is sad that a company like Skype no matter what type of agreement they have sign, are betraying the “agreement” that, we the customers-user and faithful supporters, sign everyday with our word of mouth and our payments. Maybe is time for Skype founders, Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, to come out with another product: I’ll sign up right away, and I assume the same will happen with the more than 20 millions and counting simultaneously online users.
thea 1847 I had your problem in the beginning my son could not see me(probably just as well as I had only just got out of bed!) but I could see and hear him in america.We both messed around with the various buttons for a bit and then I went into tools and found that my integral webcam was not the one showing in the settings.Scrolled it down and ticked mine and hey presto it worked! Try that if you havn’t already,good luck
I am using Windows 7. Skype is one of the applications I have in the tool bar at bottom of desktop. With the beta version it appears like a white page symbol – used to appear like a Skype symbol. Can you make it so it appears like the skype symbol in beta version 5 please?
I can not log in. Register process takes like 24 hrs …When im trying to log in to buy credits or to modiffy my profile it says that i need to log in, even when i already did that.
Jeniffer – sorry to hear you’re having problems. Do you get an error message when you try to sign in?
afr222222 I also have win 7 (64 bit) and I have the regular Skype symbol. Do you have the Skype icon for the application on your home window? Check windows for icons
Works great and looks awesome! When we will I be able to share my screen during a group call?
They should at least allow for 3-person video chat to be free, I mean come on. It’s not like there aren’t other programs that are free out there that could be used instead, but it’d be nice to not have to search those out. Also, please hurry along the support for mac. I am not saying MACS OVER PCS or anything of the sort at all, but having support for as many of the more major OS’s is better for your product.
Using the beta to test having 4 person video conference …. How can I record the conference audio and video? do existing plugins work for the new video sources?
“Group video calling is just one in a set of new premium features you’ll see us roll out during 2010. We haven’t set prices for these premium features yet, but rest assured that we’re still absolutely committed to bringing you free voice and two-way video calling.”
I quote the last couple of scentences on this blog. As Skype users, all we hear is that we are to be charged money for something we’ve been waiting for a long time. Okay, what’s the price? I will most likely pay a “set” reasonable amount as long as it’s not “per” any certain usage.
We will be very loyal to the company that gave us free video conferencing, but the second your profit comes directly out of our pocket we are used. At this point you’ve got two choices. You can keep being the innovative company that is responsible for such a fun and exciting phone call, keep the respect of the masses, and we’ll love you for it. Or, if you are going to charge us figure out a way to maximise profits, because someone is on your tail fast looking to give it to us for free and we will drop you like a new found gold-digging significant other.
This is not an ultimatum, just a little foresight on what we expect to happen given one choice or the other. We are not greedy, just thought we’d say, “don’t mess up a good thing.” You command all of our attention Skype. We respect and love you very much. Thank you and an enormous electronic standing ovation.
Patiently yours,
Mr. “Curious as to what the phone call has in store for us next”
When will the Mac version come out?
I tryed it on windows. Works great, but I don’t use windows.
Please make one for linux. Android and iPhone version would be nice too.
+1 for Linux. The video conferencing works great for me on Windows. Unforntunately, I don’t spend a lot of time using it. Make a linux version and I doubt I’ll ever use another messenger again.
Great idea for multiple video conferrence calling. But making us pay for it is just wrong, at least give a option to be bombarded with adverts or something?
The view of my own webcam in group video call is mirrored. How can I disable this? It is very annoying. Also, how do I disable contact pictures in the contact list? Thanks
Now that Skype 5 is “gold” can we please see a Linux release? The Linux beta is very dated at this point and missing quite a few features. But my household uses Linux exclusively on 4 computers! Also, please improve Skype’s functionality on multi-display setups. We use Skype at our Church to talk with people in other countries, Skype really should have a method for binding the video conversation to a specific display, for recording conversation videos, and for more easily changing things like aspect ratio and whether or not to display the local video stream without mousing over the video conversation.
But first, Linux support, please!
I’ve been a Skype paying customer for years. I would also like to add +1 for Linux, please.
I would have to agree, this is not a feature i would pay for. Nice to play with it, but I would just use the two way video. I think Skype can make money other ways
I was wondering about the premium price structure. If your price is $10 (US) per month and everyone on the 5 party video call is paying that rate then your cost will be the same as a WebEx account. Is the originator of the call paying for the service or is everyone on the call paying for the service? If everyone that you contact must pay the premium service charge then a Web Conferencing service would be far more cost effective.
Premium services did I hear that right??? If you go that way then I’m quitting Skype. Don’t bother to continue development then there are better alternatives. Bye bye
I hate how us people who use Macs always miss out on features. Even in beta versions. Developers just don’t realise how large a demographic we are and what an angry demographic we are. And poor Linux too.
I like group video calling, however I will not pay a premium for it for sure.
how do you both IM and video chat at the same time? this is a world of multitasking. i would never pay for this if i cant do both at the same time. i would revert to the old version soon if there is no way to do this.
I like the new beta look for the mac, the group video chat is really useful and neat. However, there is no way a poor college student like me is going to shell out money for that service. What a stupid way to alienate your users for a profit. I can convince my friends to try iChat or Google chat.