Skype 5.0 Beta for Mac OS X available

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Introducing the new Skype for Mac, now available in Beta

It was worth the wait – the new Skype 5.0 is now available for Mac today in beta, introducing a revamped look and feel that simplifies navigation and provides a more Mac-like experience. For example, the Skype app has been brought together in one window for ease-of-use, and the Mac address book has been integrated, making it possible for you to call, IM and SMS your contacts when they are online or offline.

The new Skype for Mac also offers our popular new feature - http://www.skype.com/intl/en/features/allfeatures/group-video-calls/?cm_mmc=socialm|skypeblogs-_-global|intl|en-_-bigblog-_-m5|betagroup video calling - which allows you to make video calls with more than two people at a time as long as all participants are on the new Mac beta or Skype for Windows 5.0. Group video calling brings people together like never before, allowing you to do more things together with your friends, family and colleagues whenever you are apart.

The new Skype for Mac also includes the following new features:

• New call control bar — Hang up, mute and more from a mini Skype toolbar that sits on top of any web pages, documents or photos you’ve got open
  
• Search chat content to easily navigate past conversations
  
• Offline IM so that you can send and receive instant messages even if the recipient is offline
  
• Personalise contacts via user profiles
  
• Quickly rejoin calls if your Internet connection fails momentarily
  
• Floating Contacts Monitor to see your online contacts and contact groups
  

Try out the new Skype for Mac in beta and tell us what you think using the Skype > Provide Skype Feedback menu item. And stay posted as we roll out the official version soon.

Source: Skype - The Big Blog

Download: Skype 5.0 Beta for Mac OS X

[Dane]

awesome

[Hendrick]

Just downloaded it. I always hope it'll have webcam effects, but I doubt it will. (Girlfriend's school blocks iChat ports....)

[SkyMoon]

user interface need to be more compelling!!!

[+jamesyfx Subscriber²]

I like it, but I wish there was an option for a minimal interface without everything in a single window. :[

[+Warwagon MVC]

For being the designers of skype they sure do have crappy bandwidth or a crappy camera. Not really a great showing of video quality

2nd, I don't remember Windows Looking that neat when talking to 3 people and having the video spaced out like that.

[CPressland]

The UI is HORRIBLE!

[+Warwagon MVC]

Ya instead of looking Like a communication application it looks big and bloaded

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

For some reason Skype think an all-in-one-window approach is the right thing to do. I can live with it, although I'd prefer an option to go back to multiple windows.

[devHead]

I should let my little brother know about this; the version he runs on his Mac has like 14 different windows for the stupid thing!

[chrispinto]

I'm a big daily user of Skype on Mac OS. I have to say i so far prefer this version UI

[Elliott]

I would actually love it if iChat took this one-window approach, though of course it could have a better execution than this. One window makes so much sense.

[CPressland]

Need an alternate chat client to Skype now....

Adium plugin just crashes all the time.

[instant.human]

awesome, I love the one-window-approach. There is still a lot of cosmetic work to be done, but that is definately better than having a small window for EVERYTHING... That was the only thing I hated... glad it's fixed.

[protocol7]

I'll have to try this later. Is the performance any better? On my MacBook the fans run constantly when I'm doing video chat with Skype.

[Ch33kym0nk3y]

Oh YUCK! It is horrible, do NOT like the large view at all. They MUST include a Compact View with this. Nobody likes big windows on their screens, something sleak and compact that is usable.

[instant.human]

Nobody likes big windows on their screens, something sleak and compact that is usable.

I prefare one big window over a trillion small ones that hide behind others and take ages to be found, even when using Expos?.

[CPressland]

I'll have to try this later. Is the performance any better? On my MacBook the fans run constantly when I'm doing video chat with Skype.

Which model of MacBook?

[rajputwarrior]

Which model of MacBook?

probably the last gen, those things fans love to show you they are working hard...

also why can't there be an option for a compact window like their is in the Windows version? Not a fan of this big giant one.

[protocol7]

Which model of MacBook?

MacBook 2,1 2Ghz/GMA950.

[CPressland]

GMA950.

There we go, the rendering is happening on the Processor, not the Graphics Chipset, so things get a little toasty.

[protocol7]

I know. I'm just hoping they've fixed the rendering to be a little less toasty. I'll find out whenever I use it again.

[amon91]

Love how it's more in line with the Windows version now, feature-wise. I also like where they're going with the UI. That said, it doesn't look nearly as minimal, like something you could leave open on the side while you're working. I tend to do that.

[Xtreme $niper]

I find it rather interesting that it seems we have a 50/50 split on people's preferences on one big window vs multiple smaller windows.

I also find it rather amusing that the Windows version lets you choose between the two modes, and so far the Mac version does not.

Personally, I don't know why people would have so many windows open with the old (official) version of Skype. The conversation windows are tabbed, and there is one contact list window. If you're on a call there's a 3rd window with the call controls. Where are you guys getting so many windows open from?

Anyway, I'll give the beta version a try later tonight to see what the hoopla is about.

But seriously, all I want is a message notification count in my menubar icon. Until that thing shows me the number of unread convos I have, it's just a useless logo sitting there looking "pretty". The Windows version does it, so why can't the Mac client?

[osirisX]

I love the single window UI (Floating panels can die in a fire (Which is what Lion will usher in). Contextual UI all the way). Having said that, there is a bit too much negative space.