Software Update: Skype 0.98.0.28

Skype is a program that allows conversations with other Skype users. It is being developed by the same people behind KaZaA and uses the P2P technique from that program. According to the developers, this makes it possible to have a conversation with a higher quality than via a normal fixed telephone connection. Recently, version 0.98.0.28 has been made available. The release notes are unfortunately not updated yet, so the changes remain unknown.

Update June 16, 2004 – 11:20 AM :
The release notes have now been released and they look like this:

Features:

• Dialpad
• emoticons in messages
• Add a Friend – Possible to add PSTN numbers to FriendsList
• Possible to start call to PSTN number directly from conext sensitive menu if user has set his/her number in profile
• Avatar browser
• Added possibility to search users by age range
• New layout for block users dialog
• Italian and Russian languages ​​added to installer
• Ctrl+w closes Add-a-Friend windows

Bug fixes:

• Voice quality over low bandwidth connections (Dial Up) improved
• Avatar/file transfer did not work when data was sent over TCP.
• Fixed sound recording after resuming from hibernation
• Too long callto:// links crashed skype
• USBPhone support enabled correctly after Skype restart
• Fixed a crash bug with pressing USBPhone buttons
• No more error on entering empty password
• Disabled Message history menuitems (in buddylist and callhistory) in case Message history is turned off
• Tray -> ignore was incorrectly enabled during outgoing call ‘connecting’ phase
• Possible to rename contacts changing only casing
• Missed Message generates a tray alert now
• Skype falls back to other sounddevice if USB device is unplugged
• Current status is grayed out in Messaging window
• Possible to copy critical error report
• Possible to reset birthday field
• Ending conference call from Messaging window does not generate access violation anymore
• Calling blocked user from Messaging window does not generate access violation anymore
• Add-a-Friend has new mask for input
• Add-a-Friend does not allow adding yourself
• Offline status selector is correctly disabled
• Buddylist was sorted incorrectly on some cases
• Snap-to-edge is working smoothly both on single- and multiple monitor systems
• No more errors about registering hotkeys
• Memory management improved
• Fixed rare race condition that resulted in access violation
• Skype popup windows were opened between two monitors
• Fixed a case where skype was always forced on first monitor if brought to top
• Reduced flickering in main window during resizing
• Password changing dialog – paste old password enabled
• Messaging window had no input field in some rare cases
• Already typed text inMessaging window was cleared unexpectedly
• Messaging sound alert and tray-balloon working properly
• Skype failed to start in the language chosen in installer in some cases