Skype 3.0: Streamlined and Enhanced for the New Year Skype Goes Third Generation Joseph Moran
You might be forgiven if you had never heard of Skype prior to it being purchased by eBay a little more than a year ago. Skype's VoIP software has had a much higher profile since then, particularly after the company announced a promotion — which has since expired (on 12/31/06) — offering unlimited free calls to "real" phones in the U.S. and Canada.
Skype has ushered in the New Year with an update to the Windows version of its software (versions are also available for Mac, Linux, and Pocket PC/Windows Mobile platforms), but before we delve into the new Skype 3.0, let's go over the basics of how Skype works for those not familiar with it.
Skype's software, which is available free of charge, lets you make voice and video calls (also for free) to other Skype users worldwide. You can also use the optional SkypeOut feature to place calls using any PSTN phone — you purchase SkypeOut credits to pay per-minute charges, which vary depending on where you're calling (but are usually measured in mere pennies per minute). Last but not least, another optional service called SkypeIn lets you obtain a real phone number for your account, making you reachable via Skype by anyone with a regular phone. (SkypeIn also comes with voice mail).
Skype 3.0 Setup
If you're accustomed to Skype 2.5, you'll immediately be quite comfortable with version 3.0. There have been a handful of tweaks designed to streamline the tabbed interface while at the same time emphasizing features that were not always easy to find pervious versions. By and large, though, basic functions work in 3.0 much the same as in the prior version.
Skype now helpfully adds a test call to your contact list automatically. Placing the call plays an automated message and allows you to record and listen to one of your own (and also to help ensure your microphone and speakers are set at appropriate levels). You can build up your Skype contacts by searching a directory of Skype users to add to your list or by manually adding entries (by Skype name or PSTN phone number). Whenever you call someone not on your contact list, you're given the opportunity to easily add that person to it.
Making Calls
Placing calls via Skype is a simple task. You can either double-click a contact to start a voice call or choose from a right-click context menu to initiate other forms of communication (text chat, leave a voicemail, send a file, and so on). There's also an on-screen keypad for placing SkypeOut calls.
Just as you can with IM software, you can change your Skype online status to reflect your desire to communicate at any given time. You can set your account to indicate you don't want to be disturbed, or if you're feeling particularly sociable you can set your status to "Skype Me," which lets other Skype users know you're up for unsolicited communications.
More on the practical side, you can set up conference calls among multiple Skype users, and you can include SkypeOut calls in conferences as well. If you have a webcam you can add video to your calls with other Skype users. The video feature worked well even with a 4-year-old Logitech QuickCam we had lying around.
Skype call quality is usually quite good — often as good or better than what you'd expect from a mobile phone. We had no difficulty placing high-quality calls with a 6 Mbps downstream/ 384 Kbps upstream cable modem connection, and we also experienced pretty good results (albeit with occasional sound gaps or echoes) when using a much slower 768 Kbps down/ 128 Kbps up DSL link.
Upstream bandwidth tends to be fairly important with Skype, particularly if you're on a call (especially a video call) while engaged in bandwidth-sapping activities like uploading files or sending e-mail attachments. When bandwidth is scarce or general network conditions are otherwise less than optimal, calls can devolve into unintelligible, herky-jerky sound bites, but for most users it shouldn't be an especially common occurrence.
Skype has ushered in the New Year with an update to the Windows version of its software (versions are also available for Mac, Linux, and Pocket PC/Windows Mobile platforms), but before we delve into the new Skype 3.0, let's go over the basics of how Skype works for those not familiar with it.