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Skype Journal: Skype releases Test version of Skype 2.0 for Windows

November 30, 2005 09:01 PM

Remember your first Skype experience? I was stunned by how easy it was. And the clarity of the sound, just like being right there. Immediacy. And the IM packaging of phone controls. It hit me so hard I had to tell everyone, call everyone, drag my friends and family to Skypeland.

If you've been using Skype, the Beta version of Skype 2.0 for Windows won't give you a new Wow! experience. There are a few new pieces (video) and small improvements (contact list). Skype Journal will examine each in detail over the next few days.

Blurbage from the announcements:

"Skype Video. Skype Video is fully integrated into Skype calling, and can be adjusted to provide full-screen video with just one click."
"Self-expression. Broadcast your mood along with your online presence. Let your contacts know whether you’re happy, sad, listening to your favorite music, available to talk or do not want to be disturbed."
"See your contacts’ time zones. Before you wake up your friends, family or colleagues take a quick glance to see what time it is in their location."
"Group your contacts. Organize your contacts by grouping your friends, co-workers or family members. Start conference calls, chats or file sharing with the whole group with just one click."
"Real-time contact search. Look up contacts in real-time by typing a name into the dialing field"

We'll have reviews, comparisons, and recommendations right here tomorrow and over the next few days.

Better yet, leave your comments and trackbacks!

Change log...

1.12.2005 version 2.0.0.43

Feature:

Skype video (webcam)
contact grouping
quickfilter in contact list and history (enable from Options->Advanced)
new language - Portuguese (Portugal)
new sound events for chat user join, leave and incoming message to existing chat
chats and conference calls shown in history
expandable "My Panel" (mood, events, services integrated)
add contact directly from main window
show file transfers in history
quickfilter in history
delete single or multiple history items
compact chat participant list
save user's last auth request
API commands GET/SET PCSPEAKER
API commands BTN_RELEASED PAGEUP/PAGEDOWN
API command SET VIDEO_IN

Change:

auth requests new design
changed group selection hotkeys to Ctrl-PgUp/PgDn
call tab visual layout changed
UI design elements changes
tray icon flag animation on missed events
tray icon connecting animation
changed "Free Internet Telephony" to "The whole world can talk for free" in file description
import contacts error dialog displayed when there is nowhere to import contacts from
file transfer in DND mode open file transfer dialog in minimized mode
new installer and uninstaller icons
history limited to 30 days for all events
new login animation
new layout for sound options
show my buddy count as an option in profile
new design for user creation
new design for log in
main/tools menu reshuffled
new sounds
display full name in profile

Bugfix:

drag and drop to chat - whole window should accept target
accessibility: tab navigation on login dialog
missing window title string for remove group dialog
MSAA result codes on lists
accessibility: can't navigate to related tasks in options
accessibility: advanced settings not accessible by tab
accessibility: make 'Your e-mail will be kept private...' link accessible
98/Me: some languages in EULA not shown
doubleclick on tray icon brings main form to top correctly
JPY sign not displayed in client
import contacts search made faster
Voicemail was not played if enter is pressed
low credit notification improved
voicemail menu item should be visible for non voicemail subscribers
login - save button should be disabled, if one password is unfilled
login - incorrect error message, if Skype Name starts with non-Latin letter
Skype UI doesn't follow Windows DPI changes
accessibility: speed dial announcement not reported via MSAA
contact list - delete does not work on multiselect
API notifications missing
add a contact and search are not changed maximize on dual-head
My Profile - each month contains 30 days
call forwarding and voicemail statuses in MSAA
profile view: not been online for long time?
chat participant list MSAA support
multichat doesn't update names when contacts change them
invalid date in profile
profile: Default day item in birthday dropdown
hotkeys value not changeable back to 'blank'
better usability of several forms with high dpi settings

new language files:

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Comments (12)

I can't see the option to create a group in my contacts. Using 2.0.0.43

Posted by: stef at November 30, 2005 11:52 PM

The interface is now worse, I hate the colours, the light blue and the generaly lightening up of the interace colours. It seems we have taken a step backwards. The new features are good though, particuarly the time feature I find useful. My real problem is the interface. The sounds add "weight" to it and combined with awful colours it is not as good as 1.4x.

Posted by: Lee Dryburgh at December 1, 2005 2:38 AM

stef - you can activate Groups by going to View -> Show Contact Groups.

Posted by: AndresS at December 1, 2005 2:51 AM

Hi Stef, if you have yet to find the answer, go to View/Show Contacts Group menu on Skype and this will display your groups where you can manage.

Regards
Graeme

Posted by: websetters at December 1, 2005 3:38 AM

It works good. Finally video!!!

Posted by: Maxx at December 1, 2005 4:45 AM

I guess someone needs to start developing skins for skype so that the skype designers can pay attention to more important issues than about colors...

Posted by: Ricardo at December 1, 2005 5:39 AM

I find that my image is more pixellated than it was using Spontania video, but just about acceptable and better than using Festoon's video.

If my M318B webcam is better with Spontania, would this mean that buying a new webcam would be a waste if Skype's software cannot get as good an image as my M318B webcam currently gives with Spontania?

Posted by: wickham43 at December 1, 2005 5:49 AM

Hi, video at last!but should it come on screen automatically when I dial please? mine doesn,t, can,t see any link to video in the window.still learning although I,ve used Spontania.

Posted by: JUNE at December 1, 2005 8:05 AM

Go to Tools/Options/Video/Start my video automatically.
See also the Skype video forum at http://forum.skype.com/viewforum.php?f=36

Posted by: wickham43 at December 1, 2005 8:20 AM

I hope this isn't another sign of Mac users getting left behind.

I was cranky enough when call forwarding became PC-only (since that feature certainly feels like something that should easy to implement cross-platform -- after all, it's used primarily when the application isn't even launched).

But now, while still waiting for 1.4, Windows gets 2.0 beta? Understandable, but frustrating.

Posted by: josh at December 1, 2005 1:16 PM

The Skype window is too crowded, it is NOT easy to use (i don't have major problems, but i guess less literate computer users will have). Video didn't start up that easy.

Grouping contacts is OK, it is an improvement, but i would have liked. Mood is also a nice feature, although i didn't know first what to do with it (only understood when i saw the mood of other users).

Time and /or GMT information is nice, at least you know when you call your contact person.

The image (picture) of the Skype contact is of lesser quality then before. And even if you didn't select any contact in the contacts window, there is always one "open" or showing its picture and more information. I don't like this.

My main concern: user friendliness and intuitiveness!

Posted by: Jean Mercier at December 1, 2005 3:05 PM

The grouping feature is mmmmmmmm.. ok, but i really prefer the-groups-on-the-left-name-on-the-right kinda style.

Posted by: Bing at December 1, 2005 11:54 PM