Skype goes gold with enhanced Version 4.0 for Windows
By
Howard Wolinsky on February 3, 2009 in In the news, Skype Beta and new releases.
On the main blog, Mike Bartlett, Skype director of Windows Product Management, shared the news that the gold version of Skype 4.0 for Windows is now ready to download.
He noted: " It's an exciting day at Skype - and not just because we've also just passed the 16 million online user milestone 
- as it marks the final stage in a process which has lasted over two years, and incorporated feedback from tens of thousands users like you."
He said the new version "represents a fundamental change in the way we've thought about the software development process, and is the most distinctive new release in Skype's five year history."
Enhancements include:
* Improved video calling. A built-in bandwidth manager ensures that you have the very best video calling experience possible, even on a low bandwidth connection. If you have a fast enough connection (recommended 400 Kb/s or higher) and a high quality webcam, Skype delivers up to 30-frames-per-second High Quality Video at full screen.
* Calls and instant messages are easier to manage. Video and voice calls, as well as instant messaging, are all easy to reach in a single window. The new Conversations tab makes it easy to hold multiple conversations at once, and to switch quickly between video and voice calls, instant messages and SMS. This is particularly beneficial for the power users among you.
* Call quality is substantially improved thanks to a number of under-the-hood changes. Calls sound richer and clearer than ever thanks to support for Super Wideband Audio with compatible hardware. The bandwidth manager should ensure that you have crystal clear calls even when bandwidth is low
