Hold 10-way video conferences with the new beta version of Skype for Windows
Today we’ve released an update to Skype for Windows. The second beta of Skype 5.0 brings a number of changes both outside and in – most importantly, you can now make group video calls with up to 10 people. It also welcomes in a fresh new look, as well as increased stability and better quality when making group video calls. Read on to find out more, or download it now.
Make video conferences with up to 10 people
You can now use Skype to make group video calls* with up to 10 people – letting you bring even more of your business together, even if you’re cities or continents apart.
Note that everyone in a group video call now needs to be running this version, so if your coworkers are using Beta 1, they’ll have to upgrade before you can include them in group video calls.
A refreshed user interface
You’ll notice that the new-look Skype is sleeker, neater and crisper than before, and we’re proud of the work our interface designers have done to refine and mature the interface for this version. We’ve also added Skype Home, where you can follow your contacts' mood messages, set your profile picture and mood message, receive account notifications and learn more about using Skype.
Better stability and quality
We’ve made improvements to call quality when making group video calls, as well as fixed a number of bugs affecting stability, so your calling experience should be smoother than before. This version also includes automatic call recovery, which should help automatically reconnect Skype calls that are interrupted due to network problems. We’ve also made a number of other housekeeping fixes since the first beta – but please bear in mind that this is still a beta version, and so there may be the odd bug remaining.
* Group video calling is currently available as a free trial. For group video calls, everyone in the group video call will need Skype 5.0 Beta 2 for Windows.
I tried this and it worked great. But I wonder, what will happen after the two-week-trial? Will I be able to pay for the feature? And is video conferencing available in the business version?
/Johanna
Once the trial period ends, you’ll be able to pay for group video calling. It isn’t available in the business version just yet.
Thank you for that quick answer! How much will the group video call cost? I couldn´t find this information anywhere. Can I pay a monthly fee or do I have to pay with credits for every call? And does the other participants in my video calls have to pay too? Can we, in that case, have some kind of company version to pay for it?
/Johanna
We haven’t announced pricing yet – watch this space!
I am trying to find out what happens when are 28day trial of this ends, whats the cost?
I’m wondering, when will this feature be available for Macs? I would love to use this.