The Big Blog

acgiboi commented Thursday, May 13

How nice of you to mention Linux and that all this Skype goodness is coming our way too. Owh... wait...

waynesutton12 commented Thursday, May 13

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

pembadavid commented Thursday, May 13

+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!

andrewnez commented Thursday, May 13

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.

jpaonline commented Friday, May 14

I really like it. All we need is a Skype MP3+Video recorder. Keep up the good work! ^^

andres-montalban commented Friday, May 14

+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!

mikeymike commented Friday, May 14

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.

george_v_reilly commented Friday, May 14

+1 on Mac and Linux versions.

itpastorn commented Friday, May 14

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.

daniel.cantwell commented Friday, May 14

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....

volleyballmaniac commented Friday, May 14

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?

tarek.jaber3 commented Saturday, May 15

Very good idea

thea1847 commented Saturday, May 15

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.

miker1235 commented Sunday, May 16

So are you saying that group video calling is going to be a premium feature and cost money??? That would be terrible.

pigafetta commented Sunday, May 16

Nice move!
All our company is based on Linux desktops.
Available to help you with a massive multi-part Beta testing.

thanks,
TVBLOB.com

mark_heijnen commented Sunday, May 16

Great! Now waiting for the Mac client (and video on the iPhone).

rpdunn commented Monday, May 17

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.

cpyarger commented Monday, May 17

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

pawelpawlak.com commented Monday, May 17

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

vidyesh_modey commented Monday, May 17

Download link not working..

schuttovits.adam commented Monday, May 17

This group calling is fantastic but I think I won't pay for this feature, I will stay at two-way calling.

donstaff1 commented Monday, May 17

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?

mero66665 commented Tuesday, May 18

please make it free

marcoe08 commented Thursday, May 20

what's the recommended internet speed for a group video call?

njny-phone commented Friday, May 21

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.

suzannetownsend1 commented Saturday, May 22

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

afr222222 commented Sunday, May 23

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?

jeniffer.farrell commented Sunday, May 23

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.

volksheepen commented Thursday, May 27

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

gkoonce commented Sunday, Jun 6

Works great and looks awesome! When we will I be able to share my screen during a group call?

james_sivers commented Monday, Jun 7

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.

panicst8 commented Tuesday, Jun 22

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?

ryanochoa84 commented Saturday, Jul 24

"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"

ayanabb commented Wednesday, Aug 4

When will the Mac version come out?

kristijan.potocnik commented Thursday, Aug 12

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.

reiko-grey commented Friday, Aug 20

+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.

hipermario64 commented Friday, Sep 3

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?

robert.s.meijer commented Sunday, Sep 5

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

praeluceo commented Thursday, Oct 14

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!

anarchisttheo commented Thursday, Oct 14

I've been a Skype paying customer for years. I would also like to add +1 for Linux, please.

kemot0001 commented Sunday, Oct 24

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

cbtyree commented Tuesday, Oct 26

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.

seebach12 commented Tuesday, Oct 26

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

galileosfriend commented Saturday, Oct 30

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.

kevin.carbonaro commented Monday, Nov 1

I like group video calling, however I will not pay a premium for it for sure.

jayteex5 commented Monday, Nov 8

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.

meinkampfysofa commented Wednesday, Nov 10

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.

ted.harrington1970 commented Friday, Nov 19

I am a new user, d/l version 5.0 to my XP Pro (fully patched) desktop a few days ago. My ADSL2+ connection continually drops out when I have the Skype Application running, which creates no end of troubles for the other users of my home connection!!! I have tried unistallation, reinstalling an earlier version, and reinstalling the latest version from the web again, but unable to smoothly login and multitask....any suggestions would be appreciated.

wnm106 commented Thursday, Dec 2

I like the Group Video feature but it would be very helpful to have a screen sharing option. For small businesses and consultants that work together, they could perform real time reviews and modifications to designs through skype.

tux-webnull commented Friday, Dec 3

Windows and MacOS but where is Linux version?

I work on Linux everyday, my family and friends too, so where is up to date Linux version?
Im computer user like any other people, why i have to use old Skype version?

cary.crites commented Saturday, Dec 18

I'm loving this new feature, but a bit hesitant about "we haven't set prices yet." I realize that you're creating demand for the product but as a user, I'm hesitant to start intertwining this into our business communications, only to find out that the price keeps it out of our reach once everything's-a-go. Please please please keep it cheap... or better yet, Free!

kleiner_wolf_stalker commented Sunday, Dec 19

+1 to the Linux version

gonza66 commented Saturday, Jan 1

There is no way that I will paid for a conference call, so Google, think when is free all people love it, when I have to paid, you going down like the titanic. NO THANKS..I keep free talk one on one for free....I can call for free in AIM in MAC with video chat with all the people for FREE....Why Skype. Google, Stop to put fees in all the things you create!

luchofer95 commented Monday, Jan 3

+7 on linux version:
me, my 2 grandfhathers, my 2 grandmothers, my brother and my friend that also uses Linux

mckimmy.me commented Tuesday, Jan 4

I'll add my voice to those calling for a Linux version, but I must say that it's pretty clear the Linux version of Skype seems to be dead in the water. It's been a year since Skype for Linux was updated and the comments on the corresponding blog post don't give any sign of hope and now seem to be closed. I think it's time we Linux users give up on Skype being a viable multi-platform alternative for video conferencing (even though no other alternatives currently exist!) My guess is that Google will probably come out with a web-based video conferencing solution long before Skype ever gets around to updating their Linux client.

supacoofoo commented Wednesday, Jan 5

guys either make an open API (please do this, you really shloud let other people write shit for skype) or make a new linux version, but actually i would prefer to have the API, because then we dont have to deal with you guys so much. (what would you use, just make pay-calls not usuable unless on real skype or something)

ajwan-arouje commented Friday, Jan 7

Hello Dear Skype,

Sky is not the limit.....this is super up....

Ajwan Arouje

misac1987 commented Thursday, Jan 13

+1 to linux. I used to linux and I llike skype But I like to linux (ubuntu) and I wainting for skype 5 and I start to borring for waitting Pls video conferaning for linux

aaron.roydhouse commented Thursday, Jan 27

Well this video conferencing feature is bad news. Skype continues to slowly degrade, as Windows / Mac / Linux / Android / iPhone all have different capabilities. Each platform is becoming a ghetto unable to Skype with others.

jethrojames commented Sunday, Jan 30

i was very excited when ive got the update for skype. alot of my friends are telling me that the video conference call are so cool and fast, but when the time im about to test it, there was a pop up window appeared on my screen saying that i need to pay for me to enjoy the service or i can still try it just for 7 days. im a little bit disappointed and sad about this i mean you guys created skype to connect people for free!! so why need to pay now? i know you guys spent alot of money to give us a free video call. but there is no way for me to pay monthly just for a video conference chat or call. it is a cool idea but paying for it is a no no for me.. i still love you skype even though im a little bit sad about this. im a mac user

sbbrier commented Friday, Feb 4

Hello Skype.
Thanks for the group video trial, I used it exactly once before it ran out. I'd say I'd use it once a month and then I would love using it.
But paying for that? Is not how you guys got me into start paying for Skype-out. Letting me use my internet connection for free and profiting when I use Skype like I would use a phone company is how you got my trust. I even had great respect for you guys letting skype-out across borders be so cheap, and it led me to happily use and pay for Skype-out, even when I might have used my cell-phone. Skype had good reason for their monopoly.
However, with skype-to-skype group video having a monthly fee, talking over the internet suddenly feels like it costs me money. Don't be greedy, you make room for competitors.
It is not unthinkable for a company like Apple to take advantage of that, just think of the potential of face time and their experience with iChat. In few steps they could do anything you do, and a matter like group video for free would be a big difference. On a related matter, I'm quite confident they would not downgrade the user experience to Microsoft level the way you just did with the new Skype for mac version.
I too will pay you my greatest respect and my money, but I will urge you to stay in front.

chinkyysharon commented Sunday, Feb 13

So, the group video calling is a trial for 7-days for free?
I got excited when I saw this blog post. However, when I went under the "Group Video Calls" tab it said it was only a 7-day trial. And if we wished to keep it we had to pay.
I'm grateful for it being free for only 7 days. However, I don't think I will be able to use group video calling more than once within 7 days.
Would it be possible if a 3-way group video call is free completely? just 3.

biobugger commented Sunday, Feb 27

I agree with chinkyysharon,
makes you feel like the Skype business model is so old school not like google, which is more 21st century (i.e do more for the users; like you and me, and make money from creative projects that people with money (enterprise and business) can pay). I feel like skype is like one ISP , NetZero, whose mission statement was "defender of the free world", after they had the market, this ISP started charging $9.99.

peterjpierre commented Saturday, Mar 5

Nice of you copying Apple iChats capability which has been around for like ages (and nobody is really using it) ... I know you guys think you created something great but yll you really did is take the idea of something that was alredy invented for free and slapped a price tag on it - very uncool if ur asking me but keep baskin away in ur "glory" - wouldn't wanna be in your shoes when everybody else, especially Apple finds out LOL