Skype 2.0 Brings Video Calls to Linux
Skype, the free VoIP software, has left beta status and advanced to stable Version 2.0.
The beta version released in November last year was the first to offer Linux users video calls, given appropriate hardware.
Since the release of the initial beta version, the Skype developers have added a whole bunch of new features to the software, including a login function for the command line ("--pipelogin"), improved handling of incoming and outgoing calls using a click-and-hold button, and translations into various languages. The stable version adds a call cost per minute counter for calls to international phone networks (SkypeOut).
The new version also adds more privacy, giving users the ability to decide whether to automatically accept calls. The Release Notes have a full list of changes.
The proprietary Skype software can workaround most firewalls and NAT routers. The software supports several voice codes (SVOPC, AMR-WB, G.729, G.711); free telephony is available between Skype users. Calls to international phone networks are billed. Besides VoIP, Skype also provides Instant Messaging functionality.
The stable Skype 2.0 for Linux is available for downloading for all major Linux distributions as of now.
Tag Cloud
News
-
FSF Outs the World Wide Web Consortium over DRM Proposal
Richard Stallman calls for the W3C to remain independent of vendor interests.
-
Debian 7.0 Debuts
The new release supports nine architectures, 73 human languages, and zero non-Free components.
-
Alpha Version of Fedora 19 Released
Fedora developers release the first alpha version of Fedora 19, known as Schrödinger’s Cat, for general testing. The final release is expected in July 2013.
-
ack 2.0 Released
ack is a grep-like, command-line tool that has been optimized for programmers to search large trees of source code.
-
SUSE Studio 1.3 Released
New features in SUSE Studio 1.3 include enhanced cloud integration, VM platform support, and lifecycle management.
-
Xen To Become Linux Foundation Collaborative Project
The Linux Foundation recently announced that the Xen Project is becoming a Linux Foundation Collaborative Project.
-
RunRev Releases Open Source Version of LiveCode
Open source version of LiveCode is now available for developing apps, games, and utilities for all major platforms.
-
OpenDaylight Project Formed
OpenDaylight is an open source software-defined networking project committed to furthering adoption of SDN and accelerating innovation in a vendor-neutral and open environment.
-
Gnome 3.8 Released
The new Gnome release includes privacy and sharing settings, allowing more user control over access to personal information.
-
Mozilla and Samsung Collaborate on New Browser Engine
Mozilla is collaborating with Samsung on a new web browser engine called Servo.