June 2006

Video support for Skype for Mac will be one of our major acts this year. You can tell that by just taking a look at our various blog posts and the comments here, especially in the Mac blog. Whatever we post, we have people asking "WHERE IS VIDEO FOR SKYPE FOR MAC? GIMME SKYPE FOR MAC WITH VIDEO." It's great to see this much interest and we'll surely meet it by bringing you a fine video version with the superb quality you’ve grown to expect from Skype.

Among all the excitement, we recently learned that there is an early development version of Skype for Mac with video floating around some warez sites. What you need to know about this version is that it is an internal unstable development version, and thus it is extremely buggy. It may and will destroy your contacts and other data. It is completely unsupported and if you experience problems due to using this version, you’re on your own. The only way to make sure you’re getting the correct and official version of Skype is to download it directly from skype.com, or from the pages of one of our official [partners](http://about.skype.com/partners.html).

Another thing worth noting about the video part is that the version going around is two months old, and thus is definitely not the "latest and greatest" that you’ll see once we release it. It’s not yet ready for primetime, but will be soon. It sounds old, but please bear with us. Not much longer to go.

Here’s a screenshot of an actual video call with Skype for Mac.

Once again, another cool thing that I thought had to be shared with you all!

Use your Powerbook/MacBook's keyboard backlight as a visualizer in iTunes!

Get it from here

And as it says on that page about the program, "This program comes with no warranty. It may crash iTunes, kill your cat or paint your PowerBook beige."

- Ryan.

I got sent these details on cool new ways you can use Skype for Mac, so I'm posting them in here for you all to see!

Integrate Skype in your FileMaker solutions

The Swedish company Premium System has developed a Skype plug-in allowing Skype to be integrated into the database software FileMaker.

With the plug-in you can use Skype to call landlines, mobile phones or other Skype users directly from your FileMaker records. You can also control your Skype contact list, start conference calls, send and receive chat messages without leaving FileMaker.

Download a free trial version

Find out more about FileMaker

Skype users get $40 off on Timbuktu Pro 8.6

Timbuktu, the popular desktop remote access and control software from Netopia is now fully integrated with Skype. Timbuktu Pro enables you to share desktops, enable remote access and exchange files with other users. I have been using Timbuktu the past three years to remotely connect to my parent’s computer when they get stuck using their Mac.

With the new version of Timbuktu you can initiate calls from inside Timbuktu to Skype users, but more importantly you can automatically set up a Skype tunnel to connect to other users desktops without worrying about IP addresses and configuring firewalls. The Skype tunnel allows all data to be sent over a completely secure encrypted Skype connection.

Netopia currently offer Skype users $40 off when you buy Timbuktu Pro 8.6. Find out more

Control Skype with your voice

With Speakables for Skype you can control Skype with your Voice. When a Skype call comes in, you can answer it by simply saying "Answer Call" and when you are done just say "Hang Up" to finish the call. You can also set Speakables to call a specific contact just by saying his or her name.

Speakables for Skype is a pretty neat application that uses the built-in voice recognition software in Mac OS X.

Download a free trial version here