Feb 03, 2009 09:00 ET
All-New Skype Now Available
LUXEMBOURG --(Business Wire)-- Feb 03, 2009
Skype today announced the launch of Skype 4.0 for Windows, the most
distinctive new release in the company’s five-year history. Thanks to
the feedback of tens of thousands of people, the new version offers
full-screen video calling, crystal clear call quality and is easier to
use than ever before. In addition, Skype users will find all of the
features they have come to expect – free voice and video calls to other
Skype users, instant messaging, SMS, as well as calls to landlines and
mobile devices around the world at very low rates.
Face-to-Face Video Calling
“Video calling has emerged as a very popular way for people to
communicate online,” said Mike Bartlett, director of product strategy
for Skype. “Whether it’s saying hello to your daughter at college or
reading a book to your child while you’re away on business—video calling
lets you have the conversations that make a difference and it really
feels almost as good as being there.”
With the all-new Skype, people can experience the benefits of free
face-to-face video calling. It’s now easier to start a video call and
experience full-screen video, which makes conversations more intimate
and engaging.
Additionally, a new built-in bandwidth manager ensures that consumers
have the very best Skype video calling experience possible even on a
low-bandwidth connection. If you have a fast enough connection
(recommended 400 Kb/s or higher), a dual-core processor PC and a Skype
Certified High Quality Video webcam, Skype delivers up to
30-frames-per-second High Quality Video.
Improved Call Quality
Call quality is substantially improved in the new version of Skype. The
new audio codec achieves wideband audio quality using 50% less bandwidth
than previously required. Moreover, it introduces super wideband audio
that delivers crystal clear, richer and warmer sound to those using a
compatible headset and a high quality broadband connection. The
bandwidth manager interacts with the codec to adjust quickly to
fluctuating bandwidth conditions to produce the most reliable sound.
Easier Than Ever
Skype now makes it easier to set up your headset, microphone and webcam,
so getting started is fast and simple to do in a few steps. The new
Conversations Tab makes it easy to keep track of multiple conversations
in one place, and you can switch seamlessly to your preferred
communication method – free voice and video calls to other Skype users,
instant messaging, SMS, as well as calls to landlines and mobile devices
at Skype’s low rates. In addition, you can choose to use Skype in two
different views. Default View has everything neatly contained in a
single window or Compact View allows you to resize or put each
conversation into separate windows.
“This is just the latest example of how Skype is continuing to innovate
and improve its software to deliver an even better voice and video
calling experience,” said Bartlett. “The combination of feedback from
tens of thousands of users over the last two years of development has
allowed us to create a truly amazing experience that puts the focus on
bringing people closer together even when they are continents apart.”
For a more detailed explanation of many other features and improvements
or to download Skype 4.0 for Windows visit: http://www.skype.com/go/download.
About Skype
Founded in 2003, Skype is revolutionizing the way people communicate
around the world. Skype has more than 405 million registered users
globally who use Skype software to communicate for free through voice
and video calls as well as instant messages. Skype generates revenue
through its premium offerings, such as calls made to and from landlines
and mobiles, voicemail, call forwarding, and SMS. Skype is used in
almost every country on Earth, and people have made more than 100
billion minutes worth of free Skype-to-Skype calls. Conversations over
Skype can take place on computers, mobile devices and Skype Certified™
hardware. Skype certifies and sells hundreds of hardware products
from more than 50 partners, and works with hundreds of third-party
developers who have created plug-ins to extend Skype’s functionality.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). Learn more and download Skype
at www.skype.com.
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is
not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and can not be
used for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are
trademarks of Skype Limited.
EDITORIAL:
Skype
Jennifer Caukin, +1 408.376.8787
jennifer.caukin@skype.net
or
Kaplow
for Skype
Aziza Johnson, +1 212.221.1713
ajohnson@kaplowpr.com