Skype 5.0 for Mac Beta With Group Video Calling Now Available

[Fliesen]

Oh goodie the train wreck Skype 5.0 UI that was on Windows is also coming to OS X.

i don't mind any redesign, as long as i can turn it off

I'm not uncomfortable with change, i for my part loved the 20px in screen real estate i gained from having safari tabs on top, but this beta just looks really really bad.
Too much focus on conversations (you can even have favorite conversations). It's google wave all over again. :/

 

[MCIowaRulz]

Um... Why does the Mac version (will) charge for video calling when the Windows version does it for free?

 

[7o7munoz7o7]

I never did try this, but I thought iChat could chat with folks using AIM on Windows, including video chat . . .

in order to video chat with multiple users at the same time though, it does require all macs with iChat. But yes one to one video chat with AIM on windows works perfectly (as long as the PC can stay up and running )

 

[adamwhiteley]

that waste waste of time....

just finished downloading the beta ... and it doesn't work for me ---- it loads but my home's wifi doesn't support Skype Access! (so i 'm told) oh well its back to the 2.8.

 

[Eidorian]

i don't mind any redesign, as long as i can turn it off

I'm not uncomfortable with change, i for my part loved the 20px in screen real estate i gained from having safari tabs on top, but this beta just looks really really bad.
Too much focus on conversations (you can even have favorite conversations). It's google wave all over again. :/

The contact list is relatively unchanged. You should be able to toggle back the Compact View for the contact list. It's just the new features and behaviors of the call window that are rather annoying in the new Windows version. It's a lot more feature filled and flexible but it's not intuitive. There is much greater Superbar support but far to much fancy menu flipping animations.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Um... Why does the Mac version (will) charge for video calling when the Windows version does it for free?

Maybe it is just group calling. A single person chat could still be free. If they charge, then I'll use iChat for video chat. Mostly everyone I know has a Mac with a built-in video camera anyways.

 

[0John0]

You can show just your online contacts in a nice little window actually.

 

[jbee]

moving from this tidy little window

to this abomination?

and Cover-Flow for contacts? ... seriously?

hell to the no, i'm going back

Yes I agree it is incredible that they can release such a terrible UI as an 'improvement' - I am shocked!!! TERRIBLE!!!! Skype I could design a better UI for free for you rather than your bloated company goons. So frustrating. A terrible terrible BETA - going back to the previous version.

And cover flow showing only one big picture?! UGH!

 

[ElZeus]

It would be nice if there was an option toggle change to the minimal ui even the windows version has that...

 

[Eidorian]

Yes I agree it is incredible that they can release such a terrible UI as an 'improvement' - I am shocked!!! TERRIBLE!!!! Skype I could design a better UI for free for you rather than your bloated company goons. So frustrating. A terrible terrible BETA - going back to the previous version.

And cover flow showing only one big picture?! UGH!

I've noticed it has a Facebook design approach to the UI. Apparently you just want to know EVERYTHING you've ever done with your contacts simultaneously instead of just double clicking to call and getting on with your life.

 

[silentnite]

Being a long time user & fan of Skype this update makes my date. I welcome it with open arms.

 

[eldaria]

moving from this tidy little window

to this abomination?

and Cover-Flow for contacts? ... seriously?

hell to the no, i'm going back

I certainly hope it is an option to use a minimalistic window, and not be forced to use that massive window.

 

[Fliesen]

You can show just your online contacts in a nice little window actually.

yeah, but you cant click them there, can you?

 

[Lesser Evets]

It worked before.
It will work again.

Big deal. Skype isn't exactly something I use to communicate endlessly. It's just a nice VoiP.

 

[blackpond]

Yikes. All they needed to do to embrace the Mac experience was add FaceTime compatibility.

 

[pmz]

Are all of "these" programs going to be subscription based in the near future?

What does that remind me of...something with phones, and towers, and subscriptions..

AT&T?

 

[abolition]

Is it doing HD?

I got pwned after buying the quickcam pro for mac and when asking people they said it was in no way hd...

 

[Mr_Ed]

in order to video chat with multiple users at the same time though, it does require all macs with iChat. But yes one to one video chat with AIM on windows works perfectly (as long as the PC can stay up and running )

Ahh! The devil is in the details Thanks for the info.

 

[yojitani]

Glad I read the comments first. I'll be avoiding this.

 

[benpop]

moving from this tidy little window

to this abomination?

and Cover-Flow for contacts? ... seriously?

hell to the no, i'm going back

EXACTLY my thought and yes I just reverted back to the stable version.

WHY do you need so much negative space in your contact list?
WHY do you need HUGE icons? What is the purpose please?
and yeah I can't think of any reason I that would justify this history sidebar.
and yeah I can't think of any reason to implement coverflow for contacts. Who really is gonna use that, seriously?

There's no compact or classic view option and no hide option either.

 

[varera]

horrible interfaces

 

[sniffies]

Hopefully this version of Skype is less buggy than the last. Version 4 had shocking audio quality at times.

Wait, there was version 4??? As far as I know, we, Mac users, jumped from 2.8 straight to 5.0.

 

[mabaker]

One has to call a mess when one sees it.

The UI is INEXCUSABLY unusably horrid.

I am shocked that this warrants a jump from 2.8 to 5.0!

And they’re dropping PPC support? Just wonderful.

Very disappointed.

 

[morespce54]

iChat is great. It comes with OS and it supports more than one protocol, also app is very light. Sky is evil.

Maybe, but it's not about who's evil and who's not. My major gripe with iChat (and it's got nothing to do with the app) is that a lots of my friends (who have a webcam) are on PCs (I know, I know, I should get new friends ) and they will never ever use AIM and can't use iChat obviously. They're mostly on MSN(...), a few are on GTalk (jabber) but most of them are on Skype...

Therefore (just like in 2K), whoever gets the critical mass on board will win my vote...

 

[Bechmann]

I like the new UI, and prefer the fact that it takes up all of my screen. The old UI got very cluttered in my opinion.

Now i can finally get rid of Adium and use Skype as my main IM app.