Skype today released Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac, the latest version of its internet communications software for Mac users, previewing spiffy new features coming this year on other operating systems.

This new software was demonstrated during ShowStoppers at the Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco.

Highlights include:

--Skype Access, pay-as-you-go public Wi-Fi access. Skype Credit enables you to pay by the minute.

The Access service is provided by Boingo Wireless and enabled by Skype.

Skype Access allows Skype users to connect to any of the more than 100,000 Boingo WiFi hotspots worldwide - including airports, hotels, cafes and metropolitan hot zones-- with a single click, and to pay per minute only for what they use with Skype Credit. Skype Access scans for available WiFi hotspots and presents a pop-up dialogue box displaying
the price-per-minute to use the Boingo network using Skype Credit.

With Skype Access, you only pay for what you use, and there's no need to fiddle with credit cards or log-in details.

--Screen Sharing. This new feature enables you to share your desktop.

Screen Sharing is similar to a Skype Video call, capturing, encrypting and transferring the content of your screen in real-time to the person you are sharing your screen with. Once there, the content is decrypted and shown to the other person on their screen.

If you are using Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac, you are also able to share your screen with Skype for Windows and Skype for Linux users, but cannot see theirs (yet).

Both of these features will be built into versions of Skype for other operating systems sometime in 2009.

"The goal of the major new features in Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac is to makes Skype easier to use everywhere," said Scott Durchslag, Skype's chief operating officer. "Skype Access is perfect for those times when you need to make a few Skype calls or send some instant messages or emails while you're on the go, and screen sharing is a productivity tool that enables collaboration between two parties, regardless of their location."

The beta also offers enhanced video and audio quality.

For more on the new Beta and its features, go to the Mac blog.

Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac is available for download.