It’s been nearly a year since Microsoft launched an Alpha version of a new Skype for Linux client, which received several iterative updates over the past couple of months. It seems though that development of the new client has just reached a new milestone, as the Skype team announced today the release of Skype for Linux Beta version 5.0.
This new version brings some performance improvements and bug fixes as well as the following new features:
- Calling updates: Calls to mobiles and landlines with Skype credit, one-to-one video calls can be made from Linux to Skype users on the latest versions of Skype for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.
- Better collaboration: Linux users can now view shared screens from other Skype desktop clients (Windows 7.33 and above, Mac 7.46 and above).
- Usability improvements: Unity launcher now shows the number of unread conversations, online contacts in contact list now include Away and Do Not Disturb statuses.
“We want to create a Linux version of Skype that is as feature rich as the existing Skype on desktop and mobile platforms,” explained the Skype team, and this new Beta version seems to be a step in the right direction. You can download the new Linux client on Skype’s website, sound off in the comments if you like these new additions.
