*Skype* long ago became the market leader for calling friends, family and
colleagues over the net and this final "Gold" release of version 5 sees it
advance with *video conferencing for several participants, an improved
contacts list and many more additional features*. With Skype you can call
other Skype users absolutely free wherever they are in the world thanks to
*P2P technology*. Skype 5 brings together the main functions of *talk, chat,
video and file sharing* in one main window. By default, your contacts list is
on the left, the other basic functions are in the main part of the program
window making it more streamlined and slicker than previous releases. New in
Skype 5 is the ability to *video conference* with up to ten participants.
Group conferencing has also been made easier thanks to the *redesigned call
window* which means that all distractions (such as other conversations) are
minimized and only the names of participants displayed. However, although you
can video chat with one contact for free, group video conferencing is now a
premium feature which you have to pay for which will disappoint many users.
Skype 5 features a *new contacts list* sorted by category and you can add
favorites to the top of the list. Searching for them has also been made
easier by *integrating them with your Mac address book*. You can also now
*rename contacts* so that you're not stuck with their default username.
Finally, accessing Skype is now easier thanks to a *mini Skype control bar*
that sits on top of any web pages, documents or photos you've got open
although some may find this a bit intrusive. Although Skype 5 adds many
improvements, some people may miss the smaller and more discreet interface of
Skype 2.8.0.866. There is a feeling that the developers have gone a bit over
the top in expanding Skype and "hiding" certain features and it will take
users of the old version some getting used to. The fact that video
conferencing is now a premium feature will also annoy many faithful users.
*Skype 5 brings video conferencing and a more intelligent user interface that
once you've adapted to, should make Skype an even better way to keep in touch
while you're away.*Download *Skype 5.3.60.1093 Gold* in Softonic
