Included in the new features are a call control bar, group video calling, the ability to search chat content, integration with the OS X Address Book, and a smaller floating contacts monitor. The only missing feature from the Windows version of Skype is its integration of the Facebook newsfeed.
The beta version of Skype for Mac OS X has been available since last November (and the PC beta version was available in September). In a blog post, Skype says it’s taken the suggestions of beta users and incorporated most of them in this new version.
The centerpiece of version 5.0 is group video calling (GVC), letting 10 users vid-chat with each other. But there’s a catch: You’ll have to pony up for it. Group video calling is free for a week, but after that, a day pass is $4.99, or a monthly subscription is $8.99, and customer support is included.
If you’re not interested in paying for group calling, you can get the rest of Skype 5.0 with a free download. That’ll give you the most-desired Skype features, such as voice chat with other Skype users, one-on-one video chat and instant messaging, as well as the ability to call and text plain old telephone numbers with the purchase of SkypeOut credits. And those credits are dirt cheap compared to conventional telephone rates, especially for international calling.
So what’s changed? As Skype 5.0 moves away from its beta status, its user interface has been cleaned up, with Skype responding to customer complaints about too much white space with a tighter interface. Yes, now you can hide Skype on the corner of your screen until someone calls you, a significant improvement over the beta...
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