Skype for Mac

Another step forward - improvements to Skype for Mac

We are continuing to improve Skype for Mac. Today's latest release gives you improved video call stability and improvements to the calling interface. Please download the latest Skype for Mac to ensure you're receiving the best quality from Skype on your Mac.

Skype for Mac users can also stay better connected with the ability to check their Facebook Newsfeeds, instant messages and video call their Facebook friends with Skype for Mac Beta - all from within Skype. Even your Facebook friends who are not on Skype can still pick up a Skype instant message or video call from within Facebook.

Please download the updated version of Skype. We'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave us feedback by visiting our Support Network or by reporting issues on our public issue tracker.

Skype 5.5 for Mac Beta Provides Improved Call UI and More

Today, we're pleased to announce an update to Skype for Mac with the launch of Skype 5.5 for Mac Beta. This update includes improved Call UI, the ability to accept incoming calls with or without video and improvements in call quality and stabilization. The improved discoverability of Skype's Call allows Mac users to easily mute their microphone, send video, share their screen, send files and even add more people during a call.

We would like to encourage our most frequent users to try this build and provide feedback on the new call functionality - your ongoing feedback plays a significant role in helping us drive continuous product improvement.

To try out this update, download the latest version Skype 5.5 for Mac Beta today and share your feedback with us. Please report any issues to our Support Network or on our public issue tracker so we can help make the Skype experience as smooth as possible for our users.

New Facebook Integration with Skype 5.4 for Mac OS X Beta

You may have noticed that we now release updates for Skype for Mac quicker than ever before. We've released a number of updates in 2011 which included, amongst other features, a brand new interface, video call control bar and HD-quality video calling.

Today we're launching Skype 5.4 for Mac Beta. The launch introduces the same Facebook integration found in Skype 5.5 for Windows. We are excited to finally deliver Facebook integration to our Mac users.

Just like in our Windows client, you will now be able to IM and connect with your Facebook friends without leaving Skype. You will also be able to read and update your News Feed, as well as comment and 'Like' your Facebook friends' posts - all within Skype for Mac. To connect to Facebook, simply sign into Skype, click on the Connect to Facebook tab and enter your Facebook sign in details.

We are also introducing an advertising platform in this new release, but if you are a paying Skype consumer or have Skype Credit, you won't see any display ads; similar to the model that is currently being used in our Skype for Windows client.

As always, we kindly ask that you download Skype 5.4 for Mac OS X Beta now to experience all that Skype for Mac has to offer.

If you want to discuss this new release or have any questions, please feel free to visit our new Skype Support Network. We hope you enjoy the latest updates in Skype 5.4 for Mac OS X Beta.

Lion Support & HD Video Calls with Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X

On the heels of our recent update to Skype 5.2 for Mac OS X, we are pleased to announce that we are making even more improvements to our Mac client with the release of Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X. Along with a number of fixes and improvements to the user interface, Skype 5.3 will feature support for the new Mac Lion and HD Video Calls.

Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X is built to work with Apple's newest desktop operating system, Lion, in addition to being compatible with past versions of OS X going all the way back to Leopard.

With Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X, you'll also be able to send and receive HD quality video when talking to your friends and family. You'll need to use the Mac's built-in HD webcam or choose from a variety of webcams from our Skype Shop, such as the Logitech C910, to make video calls in crystal clear HD quality. To receive clear HD video calls on your Mac, we recommend an upload/download speed of 1.5Mbps.

As with all updates, we ask that you download the most recent Skype update to take advantage of these recent features. If you have any questions or comments on the latest Skype software for Mac, please feel free to visit our new Skype Support Network. We hope you enjoy the new updates in Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X.

New Skype 5.2 Update for Mac Brings Group Screen Sharing and Improved Multi-tasking

We are excited to announce that the Skype 5.2 update for Mac is now available for download. With this new update, Skype for Mac users can now share their screen during a group video call. While screen sharing is already available for free on a one-to-one Skype call, group screen sharing makes communication and collaboration on group calls even richer by enabling people to view presentations, photos and documents on a participant's screen, perfect for presenting a document to colleagues knowing they can't skip slides in advance or for sharing holiday photos with friends and family. To take advantage of group video calling and group screen sharing, one or more call participants must have a Skype Premium subscription. To find out more about Skype Premium subscriptions or start a free seven-day trial, click here. If you multi-task during a video call, you'll love the introduction of video in the call control bar. With Skype 5.2 for Mac, if you're on a video call and wish to switch to another program, you can still see the person you're talking to, as well as be able to hang up, or mute - all from the call control bar. We know lots of you have asked for this feature over the last few months - we hope you find it useful. We've also made it easier to find your most active conversations under Recents in the sidebar and added a history section where you can see those that are less active. Overall, with Skype 5.2 for Mac, you'll find your conversation list less cluttered and easier to navigate through. Lastly, we often hear from advanced Skype for Mac users who are looking for - or even want to share - tips and shortcuts for enhancing their Skype experience. A guide to many of our favorites Tips and Tricks is now available here and is loaded with tips that will further improve the Skype for Mac user experience and make navigating Skype quicker. You can download Skype 5.2 for Mac for free here today.

Today's Skype for Mac update

Today, we've released an update to Mac (version 5.1.0.935) that has:
* Security updates
* Resolves video freezing in high-packet loss networks
* Fixes minor bugs

We recommend that everyone upgrades to the newly released build.

For more information about today's update, check out the Skype Security blog, where Skype's CISO, Adrian Asher, offers more information.

Update on Skype 5.x hotfix

Looking for information about the reported vulnerability in Skype for Mac 5.x? Head over to the Skype Security blog for a full update.

If you are using Skype for Mac 5.x, you can get the hotfix now. Note, this vulnerability is not present in Skype for Mac 2.x.

Updates on Skype for Mac

Two things worth reading:

• Our head of consumer products, Rick Osterloh, gives an update on our plans for Skype on the Mac platform.
• Our theme design competition is now open.

Check ‘em out!

Introducing the new Skype for Mac, now available in Beta

Krishna Panicker, Project Manager for Skype for Mac, has just blogged about the new version of Skype for Mac over on the Big Blog. Head over there to read all about it, or download now.

Skype 2.8 Gold for Mac out now

We’ve just released the final version of Skype 2.8 for Mac – it’s ready for you to download now.

Those of you who have already been using the beta version won’t notice any new features, but we’ve fixed a number of bugs. Raul’s post on the Garage blog has all the details.

For those of you downloading for the first time, here’s a rundown of the new features since 2.7:

Screen Sharing

Sometimes trying to explain what you are seeing on your screen to someone on a call just doesn’t work. With screen sharing you can easily show exactly what you are looking at by simply calling your Skype contact and sharing all or part of your desktop.

It’s great for sharing presentations with colleagues, or for showing off a killer move in a game. It’s easy to do, and totally free.

You can share your screen with anyone using a video-capable version of Skype, and screen sharing is also available in Skype 4.1 for Windows, enabling cross-platform collaboration.

Skype Access (BETA)

When you’re on your travels, connecting to WiFi hotspots can be, well, a right pain. Fiddling with your credit card, inserting numbers, etc. Skype Access removes that hassle – simply pay by the minute for the time you need with Skype Credit.

Please note: Skype Access is still in beta in the Gold version of 2.8. We’re keen to hear your feedback, so please let us know how you get on. Leave a comment below, or file an issue in our tracker.

Other new features

Improved chat management

If (like me) you’re in loads of Skype chats at the same time – my current count is 456 – you’ll welcome this one. You can now sort chats in the drawer and set priorities to chats, so you can deal with the most important messages first.

Quick Add

It’s now much easier to add people to chats. Click Add in a chat window toolbar, and the Quick Add window appears. Start typing and it’ll search your contact list. To add someone to the chat, click their name in the Quick Add window.

Mood message chat

You can use the mood message chat to keep up with your friends’ updates, and also update your own mood message. It’s a bit like Twitter, but don’t tell them we said that.

To switch on the mood message chat, check Show buddy mood messages in chat in the Advanced section of the Preferences window.

Large profile pictures

Just like Skype 4.1 for Windows, you can now use images of up to 256 x 256 pixels.

Hidden avatars in incoming contact requests

A small minority of Skype users have profile pictures which others may find unpleasant, and so they’re now hidden by default in contact requests.

Add notes to contacts

You can add notes to a contact in their profile window – handy for keeping track of who’s who.