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Skype 2.1 Beta for Linux gets High Quality Video and SMS Sending Support

Skype 2.1 beta for Linux - Chat

[Updated screenshots]
It took 1 year and 2 months for Skype 2 for Linux to get an update. Sorry, to say it, but its not fair treatments if you think that Skype for Windows is at version 4.1.

What’s new on Skype 2.1 beta for Linux
Amongst the several incoming features in this beta stand-out four;

– High Quality Video support ~ Already in Skype for windows, Skype High Quality Video is a respectable 640×480 (VGA) resolution at 30fps. This is probably the best resolution size since any higher will require a ton of bandwidth.

Skype 2.1 beta for Linux - SMS
– SMS sending support ~ Already in Skype for Windows. Linux users hand to use third party scripts to get this done. Before Skype 2.1 beta for Linux was released, sending SMS with Skype in Linux was done this way: How to send Text Messages with Skype for Linux on Ubuntu

– Typing notification in chat ~ Like in other IM clients say Messenger, you are informed if your contact is typing in so you can wait for your turn.

– PulseAudio support ~ for Ubuntu .10 users that use PulseAudio Sound Server instead of Alsa, that means better sound quality.

Other new Features;

  • Skype’s SILK audio codec.
  • Chat messages editing/removing support.
  • Contact groups support.
  • Chat picture support (add/change/remove) for group conversations.
  • Mood messages are visible in contact list and tooltip.
  • Video/Mobile icons are visible in contact list.
  • Bookmarked Chats are visible in contact list.
  • Contact labels/tags.

Skype 2.1 Beta For Linux is a faulty beta with several known issues:

  • Logging in and out with a different user name may cause Skype to crash.
  • When PulseAudio is enabled in the audio settings, only that specific entry will be available; to change the settings, use the PulseAudio manager tool that is bundled with your distribution.
  • Newly bookmarked chats are not found by QuickFilter until Skype restart.
  • It is not possible to drag multiple contacts to a group.
  • When two users write a message in a chat at the same time, your own message may not be shown immediately; it will appear again when the next message is posted.
  • Refusing multiple files at the same time may not always work.
  • Accepting screen sharing from Mac/Windows clients might cause Skype to crash.

For more on bug fixes and and improvements in Skype 2.1 beta for Linux move to the release notes.
Downloads are available for Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10+ 32-bit, Ubuntu 8.10+ 64-bit, Debian Lenny, Fedora 9 and Fedora 10+, OpenSUSE 11+
The plus [+] sign means; “Higher version.”


Skype 2.1 beta for Linux Release Notes
| Download Skype 2.1 beta for Linux