New York — Skype and Microsoft buffs now have the reason to rejoice as the software giant today has rolled out an version 5.8 software update for Windows users for the popular VoIP, messaging and video calling application Skype, which brings with it a couple of fairly notable features, and users should quickly head over to the Download Skype 5.8 page and install the latest update.
Skype has been a great innovator where live video conferences are concerned, aided by the ever faster bandwidth which we enjoy these days, of course. Just less than three months, a beta version of Skype was unveiled that boasted a number of new features.
The new version unleashes some amazing features of Skype for Windows (version 5.8) that includes High Definition (HD) video calling, Facebook audio/video calling, and the best of all the introduction of the Group Screen Sharing feature, as the name suggests lets users share their photos and presentations with your contacts in a video conversation, hide option for offline FB contacts, Push To Talk, Skype auto update service and Microsoft’s Bing search toolbar integration.
Skype 5.8 Windows Update — Image Credit: Skype.com.
Moreover, this sharing process will only function in a presentation with up to 10 people. max, and Group Screen Sharing is available only with Skype Premium.
Besides, Skype 5.8 for Windows is currently only available on the Skype homepage and not via the program’s update checker. Existing Skype users who Check for Updates vial Help menu are receiving notifications that they are running the latest version. This is because the inbuilt updater is going to pick up the new version later today.
Moving forward, Skype 5.8 also released several new and enhanced features in the Windows client. A blog post at the Skype website provides information about those changes.
Skype 5.8 furthermore supports Push to Talk now which allows Skype users to set a hotkey with which they can toggle the microphone on or off. Skype users can enable the Toggle mute hotkey (Push-to-talk) under Tools > Options > Advanced > Hotkeys.
Skype for Windows now offers crystal clear videos at 1080p; but you will need at least a 2 Mbps connection for it to work. Of course, when you have Skype Premium, it would also mean lumping together Group video calling and live chat customer support. The next addition, which will make your life easier is the direct video calling with Facebook users even if they aren’t the Skype users. Simply select your online FB contact and make a call.
Finally, Skype users who try to update by downloading Skype 5.8 from the official website will notice that they need to log in on Skype before they can do so. Users who do not want to do that can download the latest (English) version from download portals such as Softpedia instead.