Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac Allows Screen Sharing

Posted by Admin on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 03:18 am:

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New core Skype features debut on Mac platform first

Skype today released Skype™ 2.8 Beta for Mac, the latest version of its internet communications software for Mac users. This new release, which was first demonstrated during ShowStoppers® at the Macworld Conference & Expo® in San Francisco, contains a number of new Skype features, including Skype Access™ and screen sharing. Both of these features will be built into versions of Skype for other operating systems sometime in 2009.

Skype Access is a worldwide, pay-per-minute WiFi hotspot access service provided by Boingo Wireless® and enabled by Skype. Skype Access allows Skype users to connect to any of the more than 100,000 Boingo WiFi hotspots worldwide -- including airports, hotels, cafes and metropolitan hot zones -- with a single click, and to pay per minute only for what they use with Skype Credit. Skype Access scans for available WiFi hotspots and presents a pop-up dialogue box displaying the price-per-minute to use the Boingo network using Skype Credit. With Skype Access, you only pay for what you use, and there's no need to fiddle with credit cards or log-in details.

The price to use Skype Access to connect to a Boingo WiFi hotspot is based on a flat, global rate of €0.14/$0.19 per minute (€0.16/$0.22 incl. VAT), which will vary based on currency. There are no connection fees or monthly charges for Skype Access. Boingo's Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy apply and access to all Internet services will be provided on a simple, per minute billing basis. You can keep tabs on how much you've spent using Skype Access by signing in to your account on skype.com. When you stop Skype Access, the amount will be deducted from your Skype Credit balance.

"The goal of the major new features in Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac is to makes Skype easier to use everywhere," said Scott Durchslag, Skype's Chief Operating Officer. "Skype Access is perfect for those times when you need to make a few Skype calls or send some instant messages or emails while you're on the go, and screen sharing is a productivity tool that enables collaboration between two parties, regardless of their location."



The new screen sharing function in Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac enables you to show others something you are working on or to explain how to do something. Similar to a Skype video call, it works by capturing, encrypting and transferring the content of your screen in real-time to the person you are sharing your screen with. Once there, the content is decrypted and shown to the other person on their screen. If you are using Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac, you are also able to share your screen with Skype for Windows and Skype for Linux users, but cannot see theirs (yet).

Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac newly incorporates a number of other nice Skype features:

• Improved chat management: you can sort chats in the drawer and set priorities to chats
• Quick Add: it's now much easier to add people to chats
• Mood message chat: see mood message updates from your friends as chat messages
• Large profile pictures: just like Skype 4.0 Beta 2 for Windows, you can now use images of up to 256 x 256 pixels
• Hidden avatars in incoming contact requests: a small minority of Skype users have profile pictures which others may find unpleasant, and so they're now hidden by default in contact requests
• Add notes to contacts: you can add notes to a contact in their profile window -- handy for keeping track of who's who.

Skype 2.8 Beta for Mac is available for download at http://skype.com/go/macosx-beta.



About Skype
Founded in 2003, Skype is revolutionizing the way people communicate around the world. Skype has more than 370 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.

Author Comments  

Username: Admin

Post Number: 4955
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 03:22 am:

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Boingo Wireless to Power Skype Wi-Fi Access Worldwide

Skype Access to Wi-Fi Will Be Embedded in New Skype for Mac Client

Boingo Wireless® and Skype™ today announced a new agreement that will allow Skype users to access more than 100,000 Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide, and pay using Skype Credit. The feature, called Skype Access™, will be embedded into Skype as a core feature, first in the Skype for Mac 2.8 Beta software released today and then in versions of Skype for other operating systems sometime in 2009.

The new application lets users connect to a Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot with a single click and to pay per minute only for what they use. Skype Access actively scans for available Boingo hotspots and presents a pop-up dialogue box displaying the price per minute to use the Boingo network using Skype Credit. Boingo's Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy apply and access to all Internet services will be provided on a simple, per minute billing basis.

Boingo gives people the best choice of Wi-Fi hotspots by combining more than 100,000 locations from more than 150 leading Wi-Fi operators into one worldwide network spanning 90 countries.

"With Boingo and Skype Access, Skype users will be able to access hotspots around the world and know that they can get high-quality speed on the Boingo Network for their Skype calls," said Luis Alfonso Serrano, vice president of network strategy for Boingo Wireless. "Boingo provides digital nomads -- no matter where they are in the world -- with an easy and fast way to get online."

By sharing one authentication and enrollment process, one download and one payment method, the Skype-Boingo collaboration clears a path between one of the most popular communications platforms on the Internet with the world's largest network of Wi-Fi hotspot operators.

"Skype Access is perfect for those times when you need to make a few Skype calls or send some instant messages while you're on the go. You only pay for what you use, and there's no need to fiddle with credit cards or log-in details," said Scott Durchslag, Skype's Chief Operating Officer. "This is a great example of a product enhancement that makes Skype easier to use everywhere.

Skype Access will be embedded into the Skype client as a core feature. In addition to Skype Credit and a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop, users must have Skype for Mac 2.8 Beta installed and running. Prices will vary based on location and currency. There are no connection fees or monthly charges for Skype Access.



About Boingo Wireless
Boingo Wireless, Inc. is the global market leader in Wi-Fi. Boingo makes it easy for consumers to enjoy Wi-Fi access on their laptop or mobile device at more than 100,000 hotspots worldwide -- including airports, hotels, cafes and metropolitan hot zones -- with a single account. Through its Concourse Communications Group, LLC subsidiary, Boingo operates wired and wireless networks at 30 airports worldwide, including 24 of the top 100 North American airports. More information about Boingo and Concourse is available at http://www.boingo.com and http://www.concoursecommunications.com.