Skype 2.0 for Linux Released

Skype 2.0 for Linux was released yesterday, and brings one of the most awaited features by its users: video calls.

Ryan Hunt, Skype project manager, announced on his blog the availability of Skype, noting: "Skype 2.0 for Linux builds

upon the ground foundation of our previous release and adds the feature you’ve all been asking for - video. We didn’t just stop there. We fixed hundreds of bugs, improved audio quality and made Skype that much easier to use. This version is now available in 20 languages (including English), so thanks to all our translators!"

Here is the list with the new features, updates and changes available in Skype 2.0:

• feature: Add call cost per minute to 1:1 SkypeOut calls.
• feature: Add UI detection of Slovak, Farsi (Persian) and Vietnamese language files.
• feature: Added privacy option to disable the sending of the number of contacts you have to your contacts.
• feature: Implement HashLinkURL to provide easy links to #12345 references in chats.
• feature: Shadows on user avatars on contact card.
• feature: Show an indicator when the user is on an embedded device such as a Skype phone.
• feature API: BTN_PRESSED/BTN_RELEASED are now implemented.
• feature API: SEARCH ACTIVECHATS is now implemented.
• bugfix: 1:1 chats should not have Leave Chat button.
• bugfix: Add a blinking window effect for some windows which are already open when we get a new chat message.
• bugfix: Add a workaround for a KWin issue preventing closed minimized chats from being reopened.
• bugfix: Add bubbles from mood message to avatars on contact card.
• bugfix: Add right-click context menu to chat window for copying text/links.
• bugfix: Avoid status text being truncated on status button in profile editor.
• bugfix: BTN_PRESSED YES should activate Call functionality regardless of double-click action.
• bugfix: Be sure the chat window doesn't reappear after we leave the chat.
• bugfix: Call Ringing sound shouldn't be audible during Do Not Disturb status mode.
• bugfix: Can't add a contact to a chat using drag and drop.
• bugfix: Change Call Hold/Resume button at the correct times (even when changing hold/resume during fullscreen video)
• bugfix: Change file transfer filename to saved filename if different from original filename in transfer window.
• bugfix: Compare chats in recent chats/etc menus correctly to check if they are unread.
• bugfix: Contacts shouldn't disappear when they're moved between columns when receiving contacts.
• bugfix: Copy URLs to both X selection and Clipboard, as users may want to middle-click the copied link into their browser.
• bugfix: Crash after 2 minutes of signing in if we are signed out at that time.
• bugfix: Crash after signing in with incorrect details after signing out.
• bugfix: Display video in full-screen at correct aspect ratio regardless of monitor dimensions.
• bugfix: Do not always put new chat windows at top left corner if no previous setting found, let window manager determine position.
• bugfix: Do not freeze when opening options dialog
• bugfix: Do not initialise /dev/video0 whenever we start a video call (could prevent video from working when video0 fails)
• bugfix: Do not instantly close Voicemail events when clicking the play button in new events panel.
• bugfix: Do not let Voicemail messages continue to play in the background after closing them.

You can read more about the new things offered by Skype 2.0 in the official Release Notes.
Download Skype 2.0 for Linux right now from Softpedia.

MORE RELATED ARTICLES: Asustek: Two Thirds Of the Eee PCs Will Ship With Windows A Simple PHP Script to Create ZIP Archives on Windows Open Source Windows No, but Windows and Open Source, Yes Foresight Linux 2.0 Features GNOME 2.22 PC-BSD 1.5 Edison Edition Launched GCC 4.3.0 Available First Beta of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.2 Comes with Firefox 3 Microsoft Prepares Its Vista SP1 Heavy Guns – Will Linux and Mac OS X Be Hurt? Asustek Details Upon Eee PCs Roadmap Wal-Mart Stops Selling Linux Computers