Skype, the global Internet communications company, today released the beta version of Skype 2.0, the newest version of its software that allows anyone with an Internet connection to make free Internet calls. The software is designed for greater ease of use, integrated video calling, and enhanced features that allow people to stay in touch and express themselves online. Skype also announced its collaboration with global headset and Webcam partner Logitech, as well as partnerships with Webcam manufacturer Creative, and with weblog software and services company Six Apart…. Skype Video gives users free, high-quality video calling capabilities. Compatible with almost any Webcam, Skype Video is fully integrated into Skype calling, and can be adjusted to provide full-screen video with just one click. After downloading Skype 2.0, simply plug in a Webcam to start using video for free. Skype-certified Webcams will be available from Creative at select retailers in Europe and from Logitech through the Skype Web store located at http://www.skype.com/store…. Skype 2.0 also offers users the ability to show their availability and initiate Skype calls directly from a blog or personal Web site. Skype has partnered with Six Apart, to let users of its TypePad blogging service integrate Skype presence into their weblogs. Skype users, who use TypePad for their blogs, can indicate to visitors on their site when they are online, and allow visitors to easily initiate a Skype call right from the Web page.
Siehe Skype dazu selbst >>
Also fassen wir zusammen:
Skype arbeitet mit Logitech zusammen, um wegen der Webcam und dem Headset zusammen ein günstiges Angebot schnüren zu können. Und über die Blogsoftware Typepad (SixApart) wird á la ICQ der Onlinestatus auf des Bloggers angezeigt. Gut, das mit dem Onlinestatus ist Schnee von gestern, die Zusammenarbeit aber mit Logitechn sicherlich ein prima Schachzug, mangelt es doch vielen Usern an dem notwendigen Equipment. Alles entscheidende Frage aber: Wird es Skype gelingen, eine ebenso gute Videoqualität hinzubekommen wie bei der Voice? Wenn ja, wirds nochmals einen weiteren Run geben. Denn bisher war die Videoqualität nicht besonders berauschend. Konnte übrigens schon jemand das mit Skype Video testen? Habe selbst keine Webcam, um das auszuprobieren.
Update:
Die LATimes berichtet nichts berauschendes zum Videofeature:
At first the image, although clear, is a tad disappointing — nearly as small as those on the instant message sites. But you can drag the image onto the desktop and enlarge it with no serious loss in visual fidelity. I found that I could expand the picture window to about 5 inches wide and 4 inches high for comfortable viewing. The audio quality, always good on Skype, remains excellent — usually better than on a landline phone… Nevertheless, the image was hardly perfect, even when both parties were using high-speed Internet connections. There is a general haziness to the images, and the picture quality washes if the chatter is in low light. Movement causes some pixelization. Indeed, the image quality is not quite as good as that achieved by the iChatAV system that Apple Computer Inc. debuted in 2003. But iChatAV was a marginal development because it works only on Macintosh machines, meaning it can be enjoyed by only a relatively small number of computer users.
Tja, das war dann für Skype mE ein Griff ins Klo.
