RSSLatest Skype 3.8 promises better audio, MySpace integration
By Scott M. Fulton, III | Published April 30, 2008, 3:47 PM
Emerging from beta yesterday, build 115 of version 3.8 of the latest edition of Internet voice messaging platform Skype promises to focus on the messaging platform's single biggest gripe in recent months: call quality.
"The main improvements can be found under the hood of the audio engine," Skype's Villu Arak wrote yesterday. "In the real world, this translates to significantly reduced background noise, less delay, fewer call drops, and fewer cut-outs."
Version 3.8 is the first noteworthy upgrade to the Skype PC platform since new CEO Josh Silverman assumed his post in March. This version had only been in beta for under four weeks, so its release just yesterday could signal a possible acceleration in the company's pace, as well as a refocusing on core interests rather than possibly frivolous extras such as "Skypecasts" -- a way of presenting one's own recordings to the world without all those messy pods, whose latest beta also appears in version 3.8.
In a prepared Q&A published by Skype last week, Silverman spelled out his company's change of focus, saying, "Besides keeping communication within the Skype cloud free, there are two things we need to deliver very well: incredible ease of use and world-class sound and video. Everything else wins us bonus points."
Among the feature additions in this latest version comes the ability to accept usernames from MySpace's built-in instant messaging, as Skype users, the result being that users can search for possible contacts by means of their MySpace profiles.
And in a sign of further independence from reliance upon Microsoft, the company is now using its own Universal Plug and Play implementation rather than Microsoft's. Previous versions had difficulty relying on Microsoft's drivers to identify PnP equipment, such as USB headphones or microphones, in the presence of certain firewall settings. Now, the company says it can actually remove the option to have Skype change a user's firewall settings automatically; in the absence of Microsoft's UPnP, it's no longer necessary.
Hmmm...
Largest market in the US? Teens.
Favorite website of Teens? Myspace.
Does it really take a genius to figure *why* they aren't going to listen to you guys?
Sure, they could do the plug-in bit, but that's just more work for the end user....and we all know how that core market they are going after *loves* additional steps to get something done, right?
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I don't know if you've used Skype lately, but there are usually about 7+ million people on there at any given moment. They can't all be using my freakin space.
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The last thing that Skype needs is integration with MySpace. I won't touch anything affiliated with that site with a ten foot pole.
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Yes, less is more Skype...do you hear us? Stop with the bloat.
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Myspace myass... Another feature towards to bloat. Skype is already bloated. I agree with imafurby in that the kazaa creators should release a light version without the unneeded features, or redesign the client to dissect "features" as plugins. As the second choice is harder to design, please make a lite version ASAP, if so, I would allow it to run on background all the time.
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Who cares about MySpace integration except for 13yos and pervs?
I agree with furby...They NEED to spend more time increasing the user functionality, user friendliness and user customization capabilities of the UI.
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Skype should lay off with the extras. I've already had enough of their add-ons that are thoroughly annoying. Less is more fellas, or at least give us the option of a cut-down basic version without automatically upgrading us to all the latest crap we don't need. Especially MySpace, are they kidding?
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Totally agreed!
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I remember years ago getting rid of YM when they decided that what it really needed was a radio built-in, using memory all the time, whether you wanted it or not. To me an IM with a radio was about as desirable as shoes stuck to a toaster, and most 'added value' 'functionality' is pretty much on that level.
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Vanilla client with plugins?
Someone else did that and had great sucess...firebird? Thunderfox?
...something like that...
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