After pretty much giving the public view that the Linux version of Skype was basically dead for the last two years, Skype announced yesterday the first beta of a Linux version 2.1 client. The blog post notes that the Linux 2.1 client includes a number of features found in the clients on other operating systems, such as the SILK codec:
- Skype's SILK codec for outstanding quality with negligible bandwidth usage,
- HQ video support,
- PulseAudio support,
- SMS send support (*Sending SMS requires available Skype Credit),
- Contact groups,
- Contact labels, or tags, for easier contact organization,
- Chat window improvements (typing notification, message editing, s/geeky text/replacement/, new emoticons),
- Nicer contact list with mood messages and video capability icons,
- Nicer tray icon.
It's good to see movement on the Linux client front, although it continues to be frustrating as a user of Skype to see Skype's continued fragmented product strategy (which I've ranted about previously here and here). Still, at least this brings the Linux client closer to the others, and that is a good thing.
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