Skype 2.5 Beta Released

[Jeff]

Skype today released a new beta version of their popular voice over IP (VoIP) program for voice chat. Skype 2.5 beta for Windows is a 10 MB download that adds a few nice features:

• Send SMS messages from Skype - This is a premium service that requires SkypeOut credits, but you can send to multiple recipients and international numbers. You can optionally add your own mobile number to the identifier so the recipient can also reply via SMS.
• Call your Outlook contacts - Skype integrates with Microsoft Outlook making it easier to place Skype calls directly from your Outlook contact list.
• Create Shared Groups - You're supposed to be able to setup a shared group, so everyone in the group can see everyone else. Similar to the groups you can setup in your contact list already, but with changes visible to everyone in the group. Sounds good in concept, but I'll be damned if I could figure out how to do this!
• Create a social space for your group with conference calling and group chat. Well, they've had conference calling and group chat already, so I'm not sure what's new here. The feature implies there is some sort of persistent space for the group, but this is another feature I haven't figured out yet.
• Easier Skype-Out calling - This is nice. If you've tried to make international PC-to-phone calls, the phone numbers and prefixes are a pain in the ass to figure out. This simple little change makes it much easier to do.

I like Skype. It's great program that works well, has a clean interface and does almost everything I need. I'm still waiting for a built-in recording feature -- something that smaller VoIP competitor Gizmo Project provides nicely.

By the way, the BigBlue Crew uses Skype to record our bi-weekly podcasts. Check'em out.

[Fanatic]

You might want to add that you can download it from www.skype.com (obviously). Look for the Skype 2.5 beta link.

[Jeff]

Oh, and I figured out how to create a shared group. You first have to enable groups (View > Show Contact Groups). Then create a group and add people to it. Finally, right-click on the group name and select "share."

Note that once you share a group, you cannot delete other members from the group -- you can only remove yourself. To leave a shared group, right-click the group name and select "Remove Group" and you'll be removed from the group list.

[Jeff]

Has anyone been able to get the Skypecasting to work properly?