October 2008

We have released a few days ago an updated beta version of Skype for your mobile. After the release of Skype for your mobile beta 1 we have worked extensively on widening the supported phone range and adding calling support to new countries. Beta 2 supports calls also in Australia and New Zealand also we have added support for 30 new devices. Read more on new features.

We have improved the download process, so now you just need to go to the Skype for your mobile page and tell us your mobile phone number and we will send you a download link straight to your phone.

There's more to add to new features introduced with this beta update. We have also worked extensively on ironing out all the issues found by our users during the beta one.

I'd recommend everyone to upgrade to the new beta version, but to still keep in mind that this product is still in beta state which means that it's still not fully ready for prime time usage, but if you are not afraid of possible hiccups then go ahead.

The newly released build has incorporated following changes and fixes in comparison with beta 1:

 *  feature: Added support for many new devices
 *  feature: Added account creation functionality
 *  feature: Some newer Sony Ericsson phones now have options to auto-start and minimize application
 *  improvement: Text-input fields now allow predictive text technologies
 *  improvement: Data and time formats can now be customized
 *  improvement: faster chats & contacts scrolling
 *  improvement: Reduced data traffic usage on signing-in and new message notifications
 *  improvement: Error handling enhanced
 *  improvement: Call privacy handling
 *  improvement: Various usability improvements
 *  change: Application now works always full-screen mode
 *  bugfix: Messages were lost from previous session
 *  Numerous bug fixes
 *  Localizations updates

Two weeks ago we released Skype 4.0 Beta 2 for Windows. Now I'm pleased to say that we have improved it a bit. We have taken some time to iron out the bugs which you have been reporting to us over that time.

Get the new beta build with fixes. Bear in mind that Skype 4.0 for Windows is still a beta version which means that it might catch a cold sometimes.

If it behaves a bit oddly then please let us know about it by reporting issues in our public issue tracker Jira or discussing things on our forums. In case you feel you would just drop a word to us about in general then we would be more than happy to read it through our survey.

List of changes for 4.0.0.168 is:

 * change: Extras Manager updated to version 2.0.0.63
 * bugfix: "List index out of bounds" error was displayed on call phones dialogue when pressing enter without entering anything
 * bugfix: At times, video privacy message was not shown
 * bugfix: Call privacy options for Online Numbers were sometimes lost
 * bugfix: Profile pictures management did not work
 * bugfix: Take Video snapshot button was active even if there were no webcam present
 * bugfix: It was impossible to remove second USB device from audio devices list
 * bugfix: "Add contact" button was enabled even if nothing was entered into search box
 * bugfix: Opening Skype from system tray did not turn off silent mode
 * bugfix: French localization to Megabyte was incorrect
 * bugfix: Call Phones tab default focus was not on phone number field
 * bugfix: Voicemail was shown as MT67 in inbox
 * bugfix: After being added to Group IM some messages were not shown instantly
 * bugfix: SMS sent to user by other Skype contact was shown as MT64
 * bugfix: Menu Skype > Close did not work
 * bugfix: Choosing an IM emoticon window did not close when closing the main window
 * bugfix: Pressing "Esc" did not cancel editing conversation topic
 * bugfix: Skype did not stick to screen corners
 * bugfix: Logout did not work correctly
 * bugfix: "Show in folder" button did not work
 * bugfix: SkypeOut call to number not in contact list did not take focus correctly
 * bugfix: Getting Started Wizard had outdated screen shot
 * bugfix: Video was automatically received even if "Automatically receive video from" option was set to "no one".

Have you downloaded it already? It's still hot.

I thought that I should write here about one issue in Skype 3.8 and 4.0 Beta for Windows which might affect some of you.

Sometimes, people who are using Skype 3.8 or 4.0 beta versions on computers running Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 find that Skype unexpectedly closes without giving any error message.

This error is mostly experienced while logging in to Skype or creating new Skype user accounts. At this point of time we do not have a fix for this problem, but we are working hard on finding a solution.

A simple workaround for this problem is to update your copy of Microsoft Windows XP to Service Pack 2 or 3. You can update your computer via Windows Update or download the service pack separately.

We always suggest using a fully updated computer

UPDATE on 11.12.2008
This problem has been fixed in Skype 4.0 Beta 3 for Windows.

Earlier today we announced Skype 4.0 beta 2. Now I'm exited to introduce to you that we have also released an updated version of Skype 3.8 for Windows.

Start downloading, while you continue reading.

With this hotfix we are bringing joy to the people who have Logitech Vision Pro to which we have added High Quality video support. In addition to that we have introduced mjpg webcams support in Skype to please everyone with those webcams. And we haven't stopped there - we have also resolved some infrequent crash issues on video calling.

The new version is 3.8.0.180 and it brings you following changes:
 * feature: Added mjpg webcam support
 * feature: Added High Quality video support for Logitech Vision Pro
 * feature: Command line login
 * change: Live tab (Skypecasts) removed
 * change: Klonie Avatars and Emotive Ringjam ringtone links removed
 * change: Firefox plugin updated to version 2.2.0.102
 * change: Internet Explorer plugin updated to version 2.2.0.205
 * bugfix: Video devices with non-Latin characters in name did not display correctly
 * bugfix: Video calls occassionally caused Skype to crash

I was proud to announce the Skype 4.0 beta 1 back in June. Now three months after the initial release we are ready to give to you a second beta version of Skype 4.0.

You have given us a tremendous amount of feedback. We are extremely thankful for all of this.

We have made lot of changes and improvements to this version based on your feedback. We have introduced compact mode and changed many areas which you have pointed out. Thank you a lot to all of you. Please continue to give us feedback how you like the 4.0 beta 2, so we can tweak the client even more.

You can read more about the feedback we got on Mike's blog post.

Start downloading the beta 2 right now. Please remember that it is still a beta version of software which means that there is possibility that it has some behavioral disagreements with you.

In case of any disagreements between Skype 4.0 beta 2 and you please report them to us on our public issue tracker Jira or discuss them on our forums.

Full release notes of newly released Skype 4.0.0.166 are:

 * feature: Compact view
 * feature: Scalable profiles
 * feature: Contact categories (previously known as contact groups)
 * feature: Support for Vista Core Audio
 * feature: Call quality feedback and indicator
 * feature: Ability to login to Skype via command line
 * feature: Events and notifications (tray and sound alerts)
 * feature: Added High Quality video support for Logitech Vision Pro
 * feature: Added mjpg webcam support
 * improvement: Now possible to copy mood and paste elsewhere
 * improvement: Confirmation screen added to new contact flow
 * improvement: What's New Guide updated
 * improvement: Better scalability for smaller window sizes
 * improvement: Conversation and contact tabs layout
 * improvement: Better visibility of video rezise icon
 * improvement: Online status (presence) improved for persons with long contact lists
 * change: Firefox plugin updated to version 2.2.0.102
 * change: Internet Explorer plugin updated to version 2.2.0.205
 * change: Language localization updates
 * bugfix: Video in Mood
 * bugfix: Video calls occasionally caused Skype to crash
 * bugfix: Occasionally, the minimized parameter didn't work
 * bugfix: API - Get avatar command did not work
 * bugfix: API - Over time, Audio API datastream lost synchronization

Thank you everyone!