Skype 2.0 for Developers
By
on December 1, 2005 in Developer Blog.
Have you got the beta of Skype 2.0 yet? Want to know what’s new for developers?
If so, take a look at the VideoandButtons interview in the LearningZone for a quick walkthrough of Skype video and the new Skype buttons that show your presence.
Skype 2.0 adds many new features, and if you take a look at the video interview you will also see Skype Buttons which use our presence server (SkypeWeb).
Though not in the beta, you will be able to place specially designed Skype buttons on your webpage that indicate your Skype status. If you are available then people visiting your site will see that you are online, if you set you status to busy then the button on your button change to indicate busy. This is great for blogs and other areas where you want to display your prescence.
Skype 2.0 Beta Features
The beta version of Skype 2.0 is available for people to download at www.skype.com. The free software includes:
Skype Video – see your friends and family on the full computer screen or in the Skype calling window. Skype Video also includes a window to view what you
Simplified user interface – an intuitive menu for one-click access to key features and options makes it even easier for the whole world to talk for free.
Self expression – broadcast your mood along with your online presence. Let your contacts know whether you’re happy, sad, listening to your favorite music, available to talk or do not want to be disturbed.
Personalization – personalize your Skype identity with avatars or custom ring tones. http://personal.skype.com
Show your time zone – before you wake up your friends, family or colleagues take a quick glance to see what time it is in their location.
Group your contacts – organize your contacts by grouping your friends, co-workers or family members. Start conference calls, chats or file sharing with the whole group with just one click.
Real time contact search – look up contacts in real-time by typing a name into the dialing field.
Skype toolbar for Microsoft Outlook – one click calling to contacts from your Microsoft Outlook address book. http://www.skype.com/products/skypeemailtoolbar/
In Jaanus blog he has summarised the new features nicely. share.skype.com/
Comments
What about a new Skype API ? is there one already out ?
yonatanbetzer | Thursday, Dec 1
I'd LOVE to try the Skype 2.0 beta! Most of the new features look really good, I know I'm not alone in my excitement to try out the video!
So when's the OS X version going to be available so that I can get it?
alexanderhutton | Thursday, Dec 1
We are working on getting the API documents produced. Triona is working on that.
Other versions of video will follow, but I have no timelines I can give you.
lestermadden | Friday, Dec 2
Great, but where is the info on how to put the specially designed buttons on your webpage?
thanx
bwired | Saturday, Dec 3
I LOVE Skype 2.0 beta! All The Skype buttons for your own webpage ,Personalized Sounds, Contact grouping, Personal Picture e.t.c How cool is that!. All I can see is Skype getting better and BETTER keep it up lads. Who needs msn,Yahoo,Aol e.t.c just Keep it with the best and get cheep calls too. p.s The Webcam Quality is the best ive seen so far ( Creative webcam on Outdoor Settings ).
lyer01 | Saturday, Dec 3
The buttons that show presence didn't make the beta, but they will be in the release.
lestermadden | Monday, Dec 5
The buttons are not working in yahoo mail signature. Do you know why? Can you fix that?
medek61 | Friday, Dec 9
Can you tell me when Skype will be releasing the COM API for Skype 2.0?
simon_jones | Wednesday, Dec 14
Skype 2 is super,works like a charm , but these clicking sounds are horrible and you have to be close to the computer to hear them.
Please, bring back the old, ringing tone !!!
Thank you.
otekpl | Wednesday, Dec 14
id like to use skype2
it is not working on my system (has weird binary format (MZ header))
please post the source so i can compile it to x86_64 AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+ AuthenticAMD GNU/Linux
some odd things can get changed too and somebody could get the time to strip it to a headless client or a plugin for imclient X and your security model could get verified by the community to get trusted.
you should definitly encourage the free community to help while in beta stage and then sell it to all the dumb toy$Rus(ers)
your current linuxclient (1.4) is rather a proof of concept than a usable software.
everybody has other needs, they cannot all get satisfied by you, but they could spend their time to make it happen and your network can benefit from this.
please think about that!
peace
j
run.joerg | Thursday, Dec 15
Nice i hope that a version for mac will be create
, we are a lot of people waiting for a good videoconference between mac/pc, because apple and microsoft look to dont have matter about that ... THX FOR OSX PEOPLE 
rod.runner | Thursday, Dec 15
I liked the old ringing sounds better than the new ones.
In the old version when I clicked on somebody on the list (to see properties) and then at the top, I just saw the name not the country and time, like right now.
With the new version if I click on somebody I just can't close the time and country properties. It's always open for the last clicked username. I liked that behaviour in the old version.
raveiga | Friday, Dec 16
Kool now ur next challenge keep the same webcam quility and features introduce these wiv macs and lunux if u pull this one off ull have beaten AIM and msn head on! becuase no other client has done this yet!
ben121hunt | Tuesday, Jan 3