Skype for Mac

Ok, I’ll admit - I really this version. Today we released Skype 2.7 for Mac, and it has just the kind of features that us, Mac users, love. In our last version, we made Skype sound better, and in Skype 2.7 we’ve made it look better. We’ve enabled improved video quality on all the current Mac desktops or laptops. We’ve also introduced a feature you’ve all been asking for: contact grouping. With this version you will now be able to group your friends and family so you can keep an eye on those you care about.

Not only have we made it look good, but we’ve introduced my favourite feature of Skype for Mac after video: address book integration. This feature will save you loads of time — you can now see someone who is in your address book from within Skype’s contact list and be able to call them directly. And don’t worry, these numbers are not sent to anyone or stored on any Skype servers. We’re only displaying those that exist on your own computer.

We’ve made it better and easier to use. We’ve streamlined the way you send and receive files so they are all grouped within the new file transfer manager, we’ve introduced the ability to automatically redial busy numbers (so now you can get through to those pesky radio competition hotlines), and made it easier to change your volume and audio settings whilst you’re in a call.

We haven’t forgotten about the quality of Skype for Mac either — we’ve fixed a whole load of bugs, Skype for Mac is now available in русский язык (Russian), Čeština (Czech) or Norsk (Norwegian Bokmål) - thanks to Igor, Lukáš and Kenneth.

Best of all, Leopard users will purr since its ready for Mac OS 10.5 Leopard.

Download the new Skype for Mac and let us know what you think of it by commenting this post or forums.

Earlier this month, we promised an update to Skype for Mac that would get along beautifully with Leopard’s firewall. Today’s hotfix to Skype 2.7 for Mac beta does just that. In other words, users of Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) are welcome to run Skype with confidence.

The second thing that we believe will bring smiles to a lot of folks is this: today’s beta version of Skype 2.7 for Mac adds attractive pixel muscle to your video calls. That’s because we’ve now turned on 640x480-pixel video by default.

So, as long as your webcam can handle this resolution, your friends should see the bigger-and-improved you on their screens. At a better frame rate, too — we’ve been squeezing up to 25 fps out of our systems.

Now, because sending out higher-resolution video needs a faster processor and a fatter internet pipe, you’ll benefit greatly from having a fast machine (think Core 2 Duo) and a broadband connection with at least 384kbps upload speeds.

If the receiver is using a pre-2.7 version of Skype for Mac, or if their machine cannot handle 640x480 video resolution (like G4 or G5 Macs that are slower than 1.25 GHz), the sender’s Skype software will scale the video feed down to 320x240 pixels (or even 160x120, if needed).

Please remember we’re dealing with beta software here. So you may encounter the occasional quirk and hiccup as you’re using it. If you’d rather stick with public versions Skype that have a lot of beta wrinkles ironed out, we’ve just issued a Leopard-friendly hotfix to the public version of Skype 2.6 for Mac. Enjoy!

Like a lot of people in the Mac community, we’re excited that Mac OS X Leopard is now out in the wild. As you may have read, Skype runs into trouble when Leopard’s firewall is activated. At the moment, this affects a minority of Skype users.

However, we wanted to let you know that we’re embracing Apple’s new security efforts. By doing so, we’re continuing to ensure that Skype for Mac is the most secure internet-calling platform a Mac user can get. Our engineers are tweaking Skype for Mac and as soon as safely possible, the issue will be resolved.

In a few weeks, the fix will be included in an updated version of Skype that has a loving relationship with the Leopard firewall.

We thought you’d like to know that we’ve released Skype 2.7 for Mac beta. You are very welcome to download and start playing with it.

Now you can organise your contacts into as many groups as you need. While there are some pre-defined groups (like Online, Recently Contacted, Address Book Contacts), you’re free to add new ones that suit your life. This is very useful to those who are very popular and have a contact list with hundreds of people. Explore this feature under the cogwheel icon on the main screen and selecting ‘Show Contact Groups’. See the user guide.

Here’s what else is new:

• See your Apple Address Book contacts in Skype - easily call or SMS anyone who has a phone number in their address-book profile. When sending a SMS, just make sure the number you’re sending to can receive SMS.
• Create and manage public chats by clicking on Chats in the menu bar and choosing Start Public Chat. A public-chat assistant will walk you through the necessary steps.
• Auto Redial for busy or unconnected calls. When your call hits the busy signal, Skype will give you the option of automatic redial every two minutes until the call goes through. This setting can also be adjusted in Skype > Preferences > Calls.
• Easy sound controls – when you need to tweak the sound level during a call, use a simple slider in the call window, or change your device by clicking this icon.
• Overhauled file transfer – wearing a more fashionable jacket, file-transfer now looks elegant and acts even nicer, especially when receiving many files at once

Oh, and one last thing: if the default language on your Mac is Czech or Norwegian, Skype 2.7 Mac beta will automatically follow suit.

Here’s a thorough story on choosing a handset to go with Skype. The driver in question is not Skype Certified, but it seems to work for the author.

As some of you might now Skypecasts didn’t work on Macs for a while due to a tricky bug that came about when we upgraded the architecture behind these public conversations. We’re very sorry for any inconvenience this caused and are happy to announce they are back now, leaner and meaner than ever before. We hope you enjoy the improved sound quality that this upgrade brought you. Browse the Skypecasts directory and see (or hear) for yourself.

Did you know you can move self-image around in a video call? I did. (Simply click on the self-image in a video call and drag it wherever you want to). But I never realized you can make a meeting over Skype video look like you are present if the room is of a certain size - at least to yourself

As you may have read from the general blog, Skype has begun a revolutionary transition to technology that will offer you even better call quality. Naturally this affects Skype for Mac, too. We recommend you to upgrade (if you haven’t already done so) and tell other users to upgrade along with you. This will ensure you have the best call quality possible. You see, older versions of Skype are using older technology that doesn’t speak as well with the newer stuff. This results in sound quality that, well, doesn’t sound as good. So consider this a time of positive change and download the most recent version of Skype for Mac.

We have yet another first on Skype for Mac feature to announce. Or actually it is the same new feature out first on Skype for Mac for the second time. Now Skype Pro subscribers can transfer SkypeIn calls and transfer calls to SkypeOut contacts. It works just like transferring a Skype-to-Skype call on Skype 2.6 for Mac.

Read more about Skype Pro.

Just to let you know that we have improved our framework for API Mac developers. For those of you who are interested in developing, check out Antoine’s post on Developer Zone Blog.