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VIRTUALISATION Skype 4.0 debuts Down Under
VIRTUALISATION Skype 4.0 debuts Down Under | Skype 4.0 debuts Down Under |
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| by Stuart Corner | |
| Tuesday, 03 February 2009 | |
  
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Skype claims to have completely redesigned the user interface to place the emphasis very much on video, which is rapidly increasing in popularity. There is now a video component to 25 percent of Skype-to-Skype calls, according to Neary. Full screen video is now available and, for the first time, it is possible to initiate a call as a video call rather than switching to video after first making voice contact. A number of wizards have also been incorporated to make it easier for users to configure Skype to work with the PC's video camera. Version 4.0 also incorporates a new bandwidth manager that, according to Skype, "ensures that consumers have the very best Skype video calling experience possible even on a low bandwidth connection." Skype claims that 4.0 can deliver "up to 30 frames per second high quality video" to users with a 400kbps broadband connection and a dual core processor PC. A new audio codec is claimed to provide better audio quality using 50 percent less bandwidth than previously. Skype has also incorporated a new 'super wideband' codec claimed to deliver "crystal clear richer sound to those using a compatible headset and a high quality broadband connection." Skype claims that even its basic codec now provides voice quality that is superior to a standard voice telephone call. Other changes include improvements to the instant messaging interface giving users more space in which to compose a message, and clearer indication of who wrote what and when. There was no information available on the next version of Skype for Mac, or for Linux. Neary said: "we have just launched Skype for Mac 2.8 and that has some features that are not even in 4.0 for Windows, such as screen sharing." (However according to Skype's web site, version 2.8 for Mac is still in beta). Neary added: "We aim to put Skype on many more devices. At CES we announced Skype for Android. There is a version for the iPhone coming, but no announcement on that yet." Neary said that Skype now had 405 million users who generated 20 billion Skype-to-Skype minutes in Q4 of 2008, a figure growing at 72 percent per year. In addition there were 2.6 billion Skype out minutes, a figure growing at 61 percent per year. He claimed tht Skype now accounts for eight percent of all international call minutes, and that 30 percent of customers use Skype for business calls. As an eBay subsidiary the company does not discuss full financials but Neary said it had been profitable for the past eight consecutive quarters and generated revenues of $US145m in 2008. |
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