Skype 4.0 Is Currently Windows Only

Skype has become a staple for online chat, video calls and phone calls in recent months. By making it both cheap and easy to contact any Skype user around the world, Skype has an edge over other companies who try and do the same thing, especially in the business market.

Even so, I've never been a huge Skype fan. I get annoyed by its lack of integration with services like Adium and Trillian. I'm a freelancer who works from home, sometimes into the wee hours and in all of the unusual outfits that might entail, so video chat does not appeal either.

Having to work harder, either by having extra programs open when one would do or getting dressed at three AM to video chat with someone in Australia or Russia, isn't something I'm usually interested in. To that end I find myself only logging in once in a while, mainly focused on the chat and conference call aspects.

Once feature of Skype I do currently like is its ability to record calls and chats. That's handy when conducting interviews. It saves a good bit of time to have more than just my notes or my memory to refer back to.

How is Skype upping the ante in its newest release? It seems it will be going to full screen mode, available only for Windows in its first beta version (and only on for a while), and offers a full redesigned look and feel with more glaringly obvious video chat options.

If you are on a Mac, hate video chat or need to video chat with more than one person at a time, you are better off choosing another option like Stickam or Ustream. Skype 4.0 will only offer one on one video chats for now (though it seems the 25 person conference call option is still valid).

This is one beta where I would eschew my normal early adopter status, even if I operated in a Windows environment. The existing Skype does most of what I need it to do already. As long as the new Skype works with someone who is using the old version, I see no reason at all to upgrade. Now if they add the ability to be used in Adium so I didn't have to open so many programs, I might be coerced into signing on. Until then, I'll wait and let other early adopters iron out the bugs.