What is Skype?
Skype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype 4.2 for Windows computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
New Key Features:
- Skype Access – access WiFi hotspots the easy way with your Skype Credit.
- Call transfer – transfer calls to a Skype contact or a mobile or landline.
- Updated call quality guide with pre-call soundcheck.
- Bug fixes.
Skype for Windows contains the following major features.
Getting Started:
- − An interactive guide to using and setting up Skype
- − Automated detection and setup of your audio and video devices
- − Accessibility features / keyboard navigation
- − Improved first-time user setup flow
Calling:
- − Free Skype-to-Skype calls
- − Group audio conference calls
- − Video calling
- − Screen sharing
- − Improved audio quality
- − Improved bandwidth usage for Audio and Video calls
- − Call Quality Indicator
- − Voicemail
- − Call Forwarding
- − Call Transfer
- − Caller identification
- − Calling Landline and Mobile Phones (SkypeOut)
- − Online numbers – allowing anyone to call you on Skype from a normal telephone (SkypeIn)
- − Skype Prime – call premium services
- − Automated call quality indicator and assistance
Instant Messaging and SMS:
- − Instant Messaging (IM) for one-to-one or group conversations
- − Sending Files securely to other users of Skype
- − Message notifications (tray alerts)
- − Communicate with MySpace IM users
- − Sending SMS (Text Messages) for one-to-one and groups
Skype Access Beta:
- − Pay by the minute using Skype Credit for WiFi internet connection in public hotspots
Contact and Conversation Management:
- − Bigger profiles
- − Easier to use participant lists for conversations
- − Conversations tab to display your recent and new conversations
- − History for calls and conversations, accessed via the Conversations tab
- − User and Business recommendations directory
- − Importing contacts from other address books
- − Presence – see when others are online and change your own status
- − Contact groups to manage your contact list
- − Block and report abusive contact requests or spam
- − Exchange contact details with a friend even when they are offline
- − Birthday reminders
- − Send contacts to other users
- − Client alerts