Skype 2.1 Beta was released for Linux yesterday brining with it a host of new and improved features ” including PulseAudio support!
The last version of Skype for Linux was released over a year ago, and the last major update was two years ago. As such the new version takes advantage of the developments within Linux since then ” and the demand for feature parity with other platforms versions.
New Features include: –
- High Quality Video
- Better quality audio thanks to Skype’s ‘SILK’ codec
- PulseAudio support
- Chat enhancements, including new emoticons (!)
- SMS Messaging support
- Ability to organise contacts into groups.
- Interface improvements ” including tooltips, visible video/mobile icons, chat pictures, labels/tags, etc
- Netbook friendly
Improvements also come thick and fast, including: –
- Enlarged tray icon, also showing number of missed events
- Updated ALSA device detection, nicer to USB headsets
- Answer button is enabled in the call window if call popup is disabled
- Clickable links in mood message
- Calling phone numbers of a contact can be done using context menu
…And it goes on and on. You can check out the full list in the release notes.
Skype 2.1 also comes with a list of known issues. A short selection of which are: –
- Accepting screen sharing from Mac/Windows clients might cause Skype to crash
- Some Webcam’s might not work in Skype (but there is a quick fix)
- Making calls with PulseAudio 0.9.10 works, however with reduced quality. Skype recommend updating to 0.9.15 or higher.
- Logging in and out with a different user name may cause Skype to crash.
Download @ http://www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/
