Skype 5.0 beta 1 for Windows
I’m glad to write to you about Skype 5.0 Beta 1 for Windows.
In this release we have introduced one of the most requested features over the time – Group Video Calling.
You can make up to 5-way group video calls in this release.
Also in addition to introduction of group video calling we have re-designed the call view. The new call view is focusing on the ongoing call and taking away all possible disturbing factors like other conversations. If you like then you can still see the other conversations and data there also.
Remember that this is a beta release which means that we are still working on the release and that there are some rough edges in. Consult with known issues list below first before running it. We do not support Windows 2000 in this beta release.
Start the download from here.
In case you run into something you were not expecting then please let us know about it. You can discuss matters and report issues on our forums.
The full release notes for the release build, 5.0.0.105 are:
New Features:
* Up to 5-way group video call
* Redesigned calling experience
* Improved video snapshots gallery
* Improved browser plugins performance on some websites.
* Reduced false positives on browser plugin phone number recognition.
Changes:
* Call host is not displayed anymore in the user interface
* Windows 2000 is not supported in this Beta version
Fixed issues:
* Microsoft Lifecam Show webcamera crashed Skype
* CPU usage was high on low-end computers during video calls when using a TouchCam N1 or Twincam encoding camera
* ‘Test’ button name was changed to ‘Record’ after testing
* Skype did not always ring on all audio devices when it was selected to.
* Accessibility was always turned on
* Skype browser plugins for Internet Explorer and Firefox ignored meta tags not to highlight phone numbers.
* Skype browser plugin may have hanged or frozen Internet Explorer browser.
* Refreshing webpage turned off phone number highlighting in Internet Explorer browser.
* Skype browser plugin highlighting tags become visible in webmail
* The Skype browser plugin highlighted phone numbers and names while creating content on various popular websites.
* Skype sometimes crashed when importing contacts through welcome screen.
* Only one field change was saved when editing phone contacts.
* Skype sounds were not working over remote desktop
Known issues:
* It is not possible to restart video sending in a group video call, only local preview is working.
Workaround: Restart the Skype call.
* “My Video” button may be missing in a group video call
Workaround: None available at this time
* One or more participants may not be able to start their video in a group video call
Workaround: None available at this time
* Webcam may switch off during a group video call
Workaround: Updating webcam drivers may solve the issue for some users
* The call quality indicator will say “Video not available” during a group video call.
Workaround: Ignore this false message.
* Messaging around the maximum number of particpants allowed on a group video call may be wrong.
Workaround: None available at this time
* After a user drops off a call or hangs up, it’s not possible for the group to re-add the participant to a group video call.
Workaround: Callee has to join call manually from the “Join call button”
* Video can’t be resumed after holding a call
Workaround: Restart the call
* This version of Skype has increased CPU usage which may effect video quality on some computers.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Skype memory consumption increases with every video call by about 6MB.
Workaround: Restart Skype after video call.
* Video calls may not work with virtual machines.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Video calls on a secondary display causes higher CPU load compared to use on the primary display.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Skype may not work properly with virtual cameras
Workaround: None available at this time
* Some old graphics cards models such as ATI RAGE Pro, NVIDIA Riva TNT2 or NVIDIA Vanta may not render Skype video streams
Workaround: None available at this time
* My video button will not appear after switching devices.
Workaround: Change the device before starting the call.
* My video preview may freeze after unlocking a locked PC.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Skype may crash when viewing video preview in Options.
Workaround: None available at this time
* The ASUS virtual webcamera remains open after terminating a video call
Workaround: Select the actual camera in Options->Video or uninstall the problematic virtual software
* Video may freeze on the other side in the following cases: two incoming calls at the same time > accept first call with video > accept second call with video while putting the first call on hold > hang up first call
Workaround: None available at this time|
* After holding and resuming a Skype call the video quality may be degraded
Workaround: None available at this time
* The Skype video snapshots feature is not working on Windows XP SP3.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Late switch to hardware video encoding when using TouchCam N1 or Twincam encoding cameras
Workaround: None available at this time
* When receiving screen sharing or sending video, then the video preview feature will not be aligned correctly
Workaround: None available at this time
* The microphones of the TouchCam N1 and Twincam encoding cameras generates CPU spikes in every 20 seconds that may result in lower video quality
Workaround: Avoid using the encoding camera microphone
* Changing audio or video devices during a call is not supported
Workaround: Don’t change devices during a call.
* It is not possible to enter DTMF tones on the dialpad using copy-paste.
Workaround: None available at this time
* It is not possible to enter DTMF tones on the dialpad using your keyboard.
Workaround: None available at this time
* The Skype user interface may freeze when starting a call.
Workaround: Restart Skype
* The call volume slider in the call quality indicator and in the call view are not always synchronized.
Workaround:
* There may be user interface issues when using Skype over a remote desktop connection
Workaround: None available at this time
* The “Call dropped” error message persists for some time even if the next call is successful
Workaround: None available at this time
* It’s not possible to see whether a group call participant has put a call on hold
Workaround: None available at this time
* It’s not possible to submit call feedback after the call has dropped
Workaround: None available at this time
* On calls with high echo level, it might be hard to hear the other side
Workaround: None available at this time
* It may be difficult to find the Dialpad for entering touchtones in Skype to Skype calls
Workaround: Dialpad can be accessed from the small arrow below the profile image of the callee
* The Skype ringtone will sometimes persist beyond a call being picked up.
Workaround: More information from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/979303/
* The ringtone may not stop if the CPU is overloaded by another application
Workaround: Close other applications.
* When a call is forwarded to a phone number then the user will see myself video preview if he started a video call originally
Workaround: None available at this time
* The country drop down list in the call phones area becomes inactive when inserting an incorrect number
Workaround: Insert the country code manually
* Calls may not be successful when two users call each other at exactly the same time
Workaround: None available at this time
* While on a call to the saved phone number of a contact, it’s not possible to access the IM history of this contact.
Workaround: None available at this time
* The dialpad button is missing from the call window if the conversation window is minimised to the maximum extent
Workaround: Open the Dialpad from the dropdown menu under the call receiver’s name
* Call quality indicator suggestions may sometimes be incorrect
Workaround: None available at this time
* During a group video call the call quality indicator may not display video quality descriptions.
Workaround: None available at this time
* If a user receives a video call while their webcam is already in use by another application, then the call quality indicator will not display the correct video indicator
Workaround: None available at this time
* The call quality indicator incorrectly reports medium quality when the call is in fact the video call is in high definition.
Workaround: None available at this time
* The call quality indicator may display a slow CPU message during audio-only calls on computers which can handle audio calls without problems.
Workaround: None available at this time
* All web links from the call quality guide direct to the English language site rather than localised pages
Workaround: None available at this time
* The call quality indicator will not update if a webcam is still in use by another application
Workaround: Close and re-open Call Quality Indicator after releasing the webcam.
* Call Quality Indicator says “Medium” for a high quality video call between two Logitech pro 9000 webcameras
Workaround: None available at this time
* The Call Quality Indicator shows a false error message that your webcam is in use by other application, even if it is not in use anymore.
Workaround: Ignore the message.
* Sharing a larger area of your screen than 1696 x 1056 sends a distorted and cropped image to other participants
Workaround: None available at this time
* Users may not be able to switch in between screen sharing and sending video in a one-to-one call
Workaround: None available at this time
* During screen sharing the start and stop buttons may not work
Workaround: None available at this time
* Screen sharing from a multiple desktop setup leads to a compromised display on the receiver side
Workaround: None available at this time
* Taking snapshots of a shared screen produces two identical images
Workaround: None available at this time
* My video button will not appear after a screen sharing session.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Netbooks with Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Graphics Chipset and Windows 7 can have problems when receiving large screen sharing resolutions beyond 1322 x 823.
Workaround: Set smaller screen sharing size
* Transferring a call to another phone without having Skype Credit will disconnect the call without a proper warning message.
Workaround: None available at this time
* If a user has their call returned after an unsuccessful call transfer, that user must decline the call twice
Workaround: None available at this time
* Transferring a call to a phone contact and Skype user at the same time will cause the call to disconnect for the Skype user when the phone contact answers the call.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Switching between conversations can be slow for some users.
Workaround: None available at this time
* No warning message is being displayed when closing a conversation with the close button in compact mode.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Video snapshots from cameras with a 16:9 aspect ration webcameras are displayed in 4:3 aspect ratio
Workaround: Open the video snapshots in another picture viewer
* Skype 5.0 Beta 1 for Windows does not fully support accessibility.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Skype fails to detect some screen readers when they are started after running Skype. Workaround: restart Skype.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Skype will crash when selecting multiple contacts from the contact list.
Workaround: None available at this time
* On Windows Vista the Firefox browser crashes if it is running while Skype is installed with the Firefox browser plugin.
Workaround: None available at this time
* When a user opens their web browser with no network connectivity, Skype displays an error message that SkypeNames.exe wants to use Skype. This happens when opening Firefox for the first time after installing Skype with the IE and Firefox add-ons.
Workaround: None available at this time
* On Windows 7 Skype installer offers to install Skype internet explorer browser plugin even if Internet Explorer is not installed in that machine.
Workaround: None available at this time
* The automatic ‘Away’ status setting doesn’t work if it has been set a long time ago.
Workaround: Change the auto away time in options to something else and then back.
* Skype installer may be slow for some people.
Workaround: Download full installer from http://www.skype.com/go/getskype-full-beta
* When exiting from Skype Access a false message is displayed about disconnection.
Workaround: None available at this time
* The Skype Access connection offering does not pop-up correctly when trying to connect to supported hotspot after starting Skype up.
Workaround: Connect to supported Wifi hotspot before running Skype.
* Searching contacts in Korean, Japanese, simplified and traditional Chinese languages may not give relevant results.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Users with screen readers may have problems noticing the new authorization requests in the Notification tab.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Skype notifications about account changes can be delayed by a few hours
Workaround: None available at this time
* An error message appears when the Extras Manager is started while Adobe Flash Player is not installed
Workaround: Install Adove Flash Player before opening Extras Manager
* DailyMotion videos which have been added to a mood message are not being displayed to other contacts.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Hebrew and Arabic text is incorrectly displayed in the call view
Workaround: None available at this time
* Skype will sometimes not correctly display Arabic and Hebrew languages in the user interface.
Workaround: None available at this time
* For people who use Skype in Traditional Chinese the “Give feedback” form is displayed in Simplified Chinese.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Skype alerts may be displayed in wrong language in the Notification area.
Workaround: None available at this time
* The country drop down list in the call phones tab is not localized to Russian.
Workaround: None available at this time
* ‘Full Screen’ menu option under View menu is always grayed out
Workaround: None available at this time
* Netbooks can experience problems displaying some of the Skype windows.
Workaround: None available at this time
* Certain graphical components may be misaligned when running Skype with a high graphics DPI setting.
Workaround: None available at this time
So you are basically forcing us all to stare at a blank video view if you’re not using video calls (which I won’t do). And it doesn’t even remember if the left pane is collapsed or expanded. Not an improvement for audio calling, only a low of wasted space. At least make it optional – or way more compact.
will these features be available on linux in the near future?
i also don’t like the lack of flexibility skype has, the windows 7 taskbar being the most annoying. with the new calling view taking most of the window, i can’t send links or other short messages like word spellings while talking. i agree with qtrans_asbjoern, more options should be added, and not just for the calling view.
I am expecting to see fixed accessibility issues as much as possible, cause I am a screen reader user. Please make accessibility better, not worse!
How does the bandwidth work? Is there a host (that requires 4x the upstream bandwidth) that sends out all the video streams to each guest? If not, it would require each end point to send up a maximum of 4 videos to the 4 other end points.
Skype’s video call will be a HUGE hitt..untill its free
Once this feature is out in its final release, I understand it will be an option I would pay extra for. Will everyone participating in the 5 way video conference have to be paying for this feature too or just the original caller?
Thanks for all the comments everyone.
We will take them all into account for the final product.
Lucianct since 4.2 hotfix3 we have fixed this problem. Now you have option under advanced options to turn this off.
Hrvojekatic we are working on fixing the known issues, including accessibility.
And I see that you still haven’t corrected the implementation of Skype’s Windows 7 taskbar button. It’s great that is it now optional. However, when it is enabled, Skype should NOT show a notification area icon as that is redundant. Instead, online status should be indicated directly on the taskbar button with an overlay.
How will the multi-point video calls be charged? Will each person need Skype credit to participate or will the call originator incur the charges for all participants? Have rates been determined yet?
I hope the multi-part video call is a free function. Does the multi-party video conf. work if the other users still using old version skype?
someone should develop a poker game based on multi-part video conf call. must be fun
I’m really excited about the inclusion of group video. With regards to the discussion how much space the UI takes up. I use Skype on a Windows 7 10″ (1024 x 600) netbook, with the taskbar on the right hand side to provide maximum room vertically. Software vendors still aren’t paying attention to smaller form factors, but I really hope Skype is. Great work.
With Logitech QuickCam Ultra Vision and latest drivers (Logitech Webcam Software (12.10.1113.0000) video is mirroring with vertical. In Skype 4.0 there is no this bug
I have “Keep Skype in the taskbar while I’m signed in” UNCHECKED but everytime I log on to my desktop Skype is back in the Windows taskbar!
Skype can you please fix this so even when restarting your computer and logging onto my desktop Skype will NOT be in the Windows taskbar and only in the system tray next to the clock?
Please fix this ASAP!!!
Thanks
just a note for accessiblility, it is not possible to view the people in a skype conversation as was in 4.2.
First of all I’m loving the new skype, however when I am in the video call portion all of my friend’s video is upside down on my computer when they can see my video right side up.. is there any way of fixing this?
Speed Dial. It’s not a new subject, It’s not a new feature, Its missing from Ver 4 and Ver 5 and is really frustrating that such a simple feature seems to be missing and all the previous versions had this feature. I stuck with Ver 3.8 but it won’t work with Windows 7 64bit. and now I have to move on. Skype please listen to your customers. It’s a simple feature just add it and let’s move on. The concept of speed dial precedes Skype by 20 years. I use Skype for business calls and need to make the same call as many as 20 times each day. Old speed dial system 1 click and one key press started call now more screen real estate, more click’s ect.. Do you understand now! Please understand I’m not just slow to adopt all your great features guy. I just miss the basics you used to have.
I’m sorry but this version is an outrage to gamers across the world. Allow me to list the issues that have arised.
#1 – Call host no longer visible
If the host is afk, there is no way to find out who is the host by looking at the interface. While it’s not the end of the world, me and my team find this VERY inconvenient.
#2 – Auto-hiding the chat AND the contacts list
The recent interface changes have been excellent, being able to drag people into the audio conference without the host of the conversation having to bother.. But hiding people who are CURRENTLY not in the conversation but is still the in the “room”, is just wrong. Also, hiding the chat and the contacts list whenever you make a new conference is also very frustrating for people who demand a chat and the contacts list. If you want to show the chat and the contacts list, Skype should automatically remember this and not force you to show the chat/contacts list every time you call someone.
#3 – Inability to see users’ current messenger status.
People very commonly use the “Away” and “Busy” status because it allows you to not be disturbed while playing a game. However since you can no longer see their status in the conference list, you have to look them up in the contacts list to see if they are busy and unable to hear/see messages/calls being brought forth to that person.
#4 – Still no way to mute/set volume individually
I must say that I am disappointed that this feature has not been brought up earlier, so I have decided to strive with exactly this feature until it is added. I have made a thread about this, and contacted both Skype and users who are the stone-pillars of the forums (like TheUberOverLord).
#5 – Still no way to transfer leader/host status to someone else
Enough said. It might prove difficult, but this is what gamers would prefer.
Please consider my suggestions/reflections, I receive opinions from a lot of people who play games nonstop every day, and I provide to you directly the thoughts of them, arranged and organized by yours truly.
Skype is not a game add-on… but have at it, good luck.
Like to see that massive list of ‘issues’ fixed though.
and that one paying member can initiate a group video call, without all the members have to be paying members
This beta version (5.0.0.105) is very poorly conceived for any conversations that are not using video. The Video window still appears and overrides everything. Even if you display the chat window it will not go as big as before (or as big as when out of the call). The participants list (because it assumes video and has forgotten about voice calls) is much, much worse than before.
Basically this beta release has forgotten about conversations (voice + chat) and is only sensible for video calls. While multi-way video looks exciting, I do hope you will not let focus on that detract from normal conversations!
Would love to see this added to Mac OS X version.
“Skype is not a game add-on… but have at it, good luck.”
But why not? Skype wants to conquer the world, but they are forgetting about the basement people. It’s so frustrating to see that people are still using Ventrilo when Skype has the potential to get rid of these stupid little things that are keeping the stubborn Ventrilo/TeamSpeak people (once like myself) from giving Skype a real chance.
This beta is almost annihilating the chance of getting more gamers to the Skype scene, I mean it’s not like there used to be a flood of gamers going from ventrilo to Skype already.. Rather people are going back to Ventrilo because they are actually providing.
I would also like you all to provide your support to the following poll on the Skype forum:
http://forum.skype.com/topic/611433-please-dont-auto-hide-the-chat-and-contacts-menu-in-a-conference-call/
For months, with every release, Skype still has a laundry list of known issues which is always way longer than the list of new features or fixes. And you still cannot do something simple like delete single history items like you always could up until the 4.0 release. That is annoying big time. I and others have also requested a way to pause voicemails or rewind/forward thru voicemails for a couple of years, yet something really useful like that (for those that use Skype voicemail a lot) is ignored. Then, to top it off you see this mind-boggling list of known issues with Skype 5.0 Beta 1. No way in the world I’ll try that until maybe Beta 2.
Perhaps it’s time for Skype to bring their attention to the user’s making all these great suggestions and actually reflect their ideas thoroughly in their own conferences.
I seriously doubt Skype will ever become what everyone wants it to be as long as I don’t see anyone who will reflect the user’s opinions.
Please….less, less, less. Each new version of Skype has added features (fine)….but takes up more and more screen real estate for things that I think most users would never use. Please….a compact view that’s truly compact…..just my contacts….nothing else but maybe a tool bar that hides itself for all of the other functions (like add new, etc). And when double clicking a contact….don’t open a friggin window….please…just a tiny icon to start video if I so choose on that particular call. Or heck, just copy your iPhone interface….and fit the entire Skype program window in one little tiny portion of my screen.
I know some will use Skype as a primary full screen app (maybe on a video call to Grandma), but for my day-to-day use, I want it to be a tiny little unobtrusive background function that I can use with minimal disruption to whatever my primary computer task may be.
It not just gamers – it’s any voice+chat call that is much worse in this 5.0beta approach.
If there isn’t a video, it makes no sense to show a blank screen where the video would have been.
With every upgrade, Skype is getting bigger and clunkier while getting worse and more annoying. I wish there were some members of the development team who can relate to their users. Suits and marketing people aren’t exactly great at connecting with people, even if they think they do.
Until someone there is hit with some common sense again like back when Skype was still awesome, we have to deal with a space wasting interface, annoying popups, and stupid notifications, such as “YOUR MICROPHONE IS QUIET” and for whatever reason, can’t be disabled.
In IM window there is a new button “Check settings”. Yeah fine whatever it does… but now the window is wider and you can fit less IM windows in the screen next to each other.
1: make button “Check settings” optional ( I can’t find the way to get rid of it)
2: make IM window adjustable to smaller width regardless to new button
3: when on earth will one be able to change font color for messages coming in and going out? (different size would be also nice)
Some people are getting freakishly angry regarding very specific behaviors or features. Just a reminder: this is BETA … and the first release of the beta version at that. Chill, there is a lot of polish to be done, and if you do have a valid point—and many do—please be thankful we can even openly participate in Skype’s beta releases. Most companies never allow customers in on unreleased products … anyway, that’s all.
I, for one, am very excited by what’s coming in 5.0 and fully trust the developers to make it shine. So, from me, a huge THANK YOU to everyone working on this: you guys rock.
Funny I tried to upgrade to the latest version of Skype but all I got was Skype™ – Update
Problem during download
Download of the Skype update failed.
Click here to go online and download the upgrade manually.
Retry Cancel
I’m currently running Skype Version 4.2.32.169 and today I called a contact of mine and they didn’t have a mic but wanted to hear me play my trumpet, however, when she answered, it dropped, and so she had called me back, and I answered and the same thing happened, I use JAWS version 10.0.1178U and have already recompiled the latest JFW scripts I’m aware of, is there a way to fix this set of issues in the next version of Skype? Also can I suggest that when transfering files from one user to another that there be a status bar spoken out with JAWS as well like they do with AIM 7.2 and later?
Thanks,
Chela Robles.
Please email me on how to trouble-shoot this set of issues I shared with you above. My email address is cdrobles693@gmail.com
Have a great day and as always I will wait patiently for the major release of Skype 5.0.
I have noticed that in Skype 5 it no longer shows the name of the country to which the phone call is made. You just see the number and that’s it.
In Skype 4 you always could see the country name to which you are making a call.
Can we have the same in Skype 5?
Also, it would be great, that Skype would also show the local time at the destination number you are calling to, so that way if you make a transatlantic call, you know whether it’s morning or night at the place where you are calling to.
Thank you!
To echo many other users complaints, skype got too bulky to be useful to me as I only use it for voice and chat, never video. I need the lean and efficient skype of olden days which is why I am using Skype version 3.6.0.248. I have had pretty bad audio in the past year and my guess is it has something to with not using the latest version. Please skype, make a lite version of your software along the lines of version 3!
The group video calls are great. Works very well even with 5 callers. But on one computer which has a Logitheh Communicate STX webcam, Skype 5.0 always crashes as soon as any call with video starts or when video in options is selected. I’ve had to reinstall 4.2. It is running Vista with all the latest updates and Logitech drivers. Anyone else having this issue?
Hi, I kinda liked the new looks but I think there should be a “hold” button in the call section when you talk to someone(or in conference). Other than that I don’t see anything wrong. Keep it up!
I really, really expect to see wallpapers in this new version!
Hi, I have run into problems regarding Windows 2000. This has been happening since Skype 4.2 I cannot get the program to run, I will have the sign on screen but then I’ll get a small window saying that “Skype.exe has generated errors” and below that it says “An error log is being created” this needs to be fixed as the only version that still works properly under WIndows 2000 is Skype 4.1. I do know that Windows 2000 is not supported in this beta release but this error needs to be addressed and fixed if a user wants to run Skype under Windows 2000. I have to say though I love the beta I tried it on a Windows 7 computer and I loved everything about it, I like how the IM window glows. One thing I did notice is that if a user is running an older version of Skype and your running this beta, I can’t get the audio from the user that is running an older version of Skype. Another thing is that my friend has told me that since SKype 4.2 and this same problem happens on SKype 5.0 Beta is the IM autoscrolling, when either one of us replies she has to click on the down arrow to scroll down to see what has been said after each response and she is running Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit. Other than that we love the program alot as it’s alot lighter than 4.2 from what me and her noticed.
“To echo many other users complaints, skype got too bulky to be useful to me as I only use it for voice and chat, never video. I need the lean and efficient skype of olden days which is why I am using Skype version 3.6.0.248. I have had pretty bad audio in the past year and my guess is it has something to with not using the latest version. Please skype, make a lite version of your software along the lines of version 3!”
There is one thing that you will learn to value in the latest version of Skype, and that is being able to add people to a conference without being the host. This is without a doubt the most significant reason as to why I’m using the latest version of Skype.
I also value the ability to keep everything in one window instead of having seperate chat windows, for some reason I’ve always found that to be very annoying, even though it can prove itself to be useful at times.
I was expecting Skype Me mode to come back with the new version but still there is no Skype Me which still forces me to use the ver3.8.
I dont think it would be so hard to add the function so why not getting it back ? it wont make the soft bigger and anyway its already about 24mb so what would be the difference? the search function is also not as good as the 3.8 its pretty hard to find the people you are looking for, and email search is not the best way to find skype users as most of us hold several mail accounts, its not like I will tell all my email adresses to my friends….anyway it sounds like ICQ, there was the same function and it disappeared, then the populariy of icq got down as well…of course the protocal is different from skype, but I think the skype me mode is very important for an IM.
Trully except the improvement in camera things and screan share, I dont see any good point from the 3.8 version, so please add the skype me options in the final version !
Thank you !
GOD IAM FED UP WITH SKYPE NOT LESSING TO CUSTOMER FEEDBACK AND NEEDS!!!
I use Skype for calling quite often and spent therefore quite some money to make these calls. But I cannot believe how Skype’s developer are!! There are so many complaints since 4.0 and nothing has changed back to better! The layout still sucks incridible, and I cant believe that this is really called a 5.0, this must be a joke?
I dont know for how long Skype customes ask for video chatting and Skype just arrogantly ignores it. This is so f*”§$”()! rude!!! It can’t be difficult when other programmes offer it for free for years now, and Skype which is supposed to be one of the more sophsticated programmes just doesnt want to offer it it’s users (and often paying customers).
If you guys want to be successful you should start listening to your customers/users, just a hint, seems like you still havent comprehend that.
Best,
pissed off customer xyz
cant’t agree more on:
zitelkita commented Saturday, May 22
Just installed this beta version but crash with livecam still an issue!!!!
Crashed when tried to test video on skype and also when going to video settings. Am running Windows XP, livecam 1.4.
Please fix!
Thanks
Still this accident of an interface from 4.x-Versions? Still no Speed Dial? OK, I’ll stick with 3.8 then.
Hi there !
I have looked everywhere and I didn’t see how to remove inactive contacts from the conference call, so I think you should add to call section easy way to remove inactive contacts from the conference.
Hello,
Here is in my opinion Skype’s Beta 5.0 for Windows 3 MOST IMPORTANT Video Feature SUGGESTIONS:
1) A “selective” automatically receive (and send) video & screen sharing.
(auto-accept & send video just for one or two “people in my contact list”, not all of them)
Using a Stealth & Privacy Settings: appearing online or off-line to specified persons,
like in yahoo messenger: http://messenger.yahoo.com/features/stealth/
2) The ability to View “video in a (always on top)(streamlined*) separate window” by default, when video call is auto-accepted.
By always-on-top “Streamlined video window”, I mean “without title bar, etc.”
As an example: in the picture below, the blue bar saying: “Videocall with Ca.. Pe..”, the reduce window button, etc, are not needed.
http://12022835.la01.neti.ee/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/skype-hqv-2.jpg
All options in that window (including restoring to full featured window) can be enabled by right clicking on it (or on mouse “moving” over).
This would make it take up much less space in the corner of the desktop, letting you focus on your Work on other apps (from the office) while keeping an eye on the video in your screen corner (monitoring your baby or home, etc)
3) The ability to do “collaborative Doodling” on the “Screen-sharing” (of an open document screen capture).
And ‘why not’ the ability to collaborate remotely on the writing of that document, using a VNC like feature enabling integrated Pc remote access or sharing within Skype.
*If you need some clarification or help related to this three (in my opinion) most important suggestion for “Skype 5 video”, just Skype-me. All my thanks to the Skype team, for listening to your users and fans suggestions, making Skype for windows a must have app just as much as a Pc need an OS.
Thanks,
Anouar.
I installed it and aside from the fact that if I’m not video-calling it shows a black view and I can’t change it to the standard view, and also in a group call I can’t see if one of the callers went on hold, hung up, or joined us in the call I like it pretty much especially the multiple video-calling that i tested.
Can v5 beta be installed without replacing the current v4? I wouldn’t mind giving 5 beta a look but not if it means having to remove the fairly stable version I’m using now.
It is SO AWESOME that you guys are starting to implement multipart Video, I sincearly hope that you will be allowing resizable user windows with maximum visible video and inviisible/mouseover activated GUI instead of the rather bulky GUI you have nowdays when not in fullscreen – beeing able to positionate video-vindows freely would be a great feature as all video conferences are not the same and some are using whiteboard functions at the same time etc.
10ppl connected at once would be great aswell, 5ppl are a little bit on the thin side when having a meeting – clearly visible “you dont have cpu/bandwith enough” signs that indicates why quality must drop if overloaded would be a GREAT thing aswell so people really understand how much more multipart video will drain your system resources.