Skype 4.2 Beta for Windows

URL: http://share.skype.com/sites/garage/2009/12/skype_42_beta_for_windows.html

Skype 4.2 Beta for Windows is here.

We have put long working hours into fine tuning the Skype client for you to incorporate your feedback and introduce new features to it.

We have introduced in this version Skype Access which is a nifty feature to pay easily for the Wifi hotspots usage with the Skype credits.

Start downloading it now and keep reading, but please remember that it is a beta version which means that you may experience some hiccups on the way on using it. Please let us know if any of these happen with commenting this blog post, discuss things on our forums or submit issue reports on our issue tracker, see issue reporting guide.

In addition to this we have been fine tuning Skype to make your life a bit easier around.

First of all we have made new account sign-up flow much more informative and easier. It let's you to fill your profile straight in the sign up flow and then enter to the What's New Guide to get to know more about Skype and to import your contacts. For Windows 7 users we will pre-fill some areas for you already thanks to the Windows 7 location API.

With Call Quality Indicator we will let you know before making the call about the expected call quality, so that you can be absolutely sure before making all your important calls in Skype. For this we introduced the Call Quality Indicator. It's a small button on your conversations area, clicking on it will show to you if all is well with your computer speed, microphone, speakers, webcam and it let's you to test internet connection speed between you and the other person.

We have introduced a Client Alerts in Skype. Now we are delivering all notifications in Skype to you about your account status and payments, instead of sending them over e-mail. Your friends contact requests will appear there also to be always on your sight.

We have also improved our support for Windows 7. Now we handle the new taskbar behaviour and support the jump list feature. We have also in there a support for audio ducking feature when you are making audio calls to make sure they go smooth as silk.

Last but not least we have implemented a keyboard tapping noise removal from calls and improved video calling stability and quality.

See full fixed and known issues list.