Skype Begins Testing 4.0

Skype has begun public testing of Skype 4.0, which will make video a major part of chatting — and in full-screen, too.

Reuters has reported that Skype has begun public testing of its Skype 4.0 software, which is intended to make video a more vital part of the communications process. Instead of being in a small corner, the video can now be full screen, and with a much greater resolution under the new software. To be fair, video calling isn’t new on Skype – it’s offered it since 2005 – but doing it this way marks a step forward, largely because 28% of all calls on the service are video calls.

Skype 4.0 uses better compression to allow excellent voice conversations with 2Kbps bandwidth and video on a 6Kbps connection. However, for a good resolution video call, a 90Kbps connection is ideal. Skype president Josh Silverman told Reuters:

"Skype users are communicating in many different modes — often at the same time. We thought it was time for software to take that into account. Now video is really bringing together all those modes of communication."