Skype is one of the most popular and easiest-to-use communication tools, which connects people around the world. The program supports video conferencing, voice calls, and instant messaging. Additionally, you can use the software to send large-sized files up to 300 MB. TalkHelper Call Recorder for Skype (Recommended) Featuring a simple, clean, and intuitive. Skype is built to meet your daily messaging and video communication needs. It is small, fast, and capable. It lets you send free text messages and make voice & video calls even under most network conditions. Skype will always help you stay connected with your friends and family.
Skype is a free service that offers VoIP, voice over IP, software that allows users to connect to others worldwide through video and voice calling. Although the pricing Skype offers for some of its paid services, such as Skype Number and Skype WiFi, its free services can be more telling of the software’s overall functionality for simple calling features. One thing that weighs down this application is the fact that users have to rely on their computers and smartphones in order to make internet calls.
History of Skype
In 2003, the creators of the P2P program Kazaa, developed Skype. After switching hands of ownership a few times, Microsoft came to own the brand in 2011.
What’s Included
Skype is available as a software download on a variety of platforms from smartphones, to computers, and even tablets.
On the free version of Skype, you are able to send and receive instant messages, emojis, and even video and voice chat. However, if you are interested in using Skype as a phone service, please see the Skype’s Pay For Services below.
Also, Skype now offers Facebook amalgamation so you can see your Facebook news feed in within the app itself. In addition to that, Skype allows you to send SMS messages (for a fee) or call your Facebook friends, so long as they have shared their information within Facebook.
Utility and Usability of Skype
If you are looking for a basic features software program, Skype surely is not difficult to use, even for the less-technological perceptive person.
However, unless you absolutely need to use a subscription based calling plan, it is better to stick to the free service version of Skype.
Skype services also has Skype Meetings which allows anyone to join in your call, and you can share in the following features:
- PowerPoint screen sharing and collaboration
- Personalized URL that allows you to join from any device
- You can video call with up to ten people (without a subscription)
With Skype for Microsoft Office 365 you can get all the above features plus:
- Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, and PowerPoint
- Record your meetings
- Hold meetings with up to two-hundred and fifty people
- Use instant messaging anytime and anywhere
Skype’s Pay For Services
With Skype’s Unlimited World Plan, you can call all mobile and landlines in the following countries:
- Canada
- China
- Hong Kong SAR
- Guam
- United States
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Puerto Rico
In addition to those countries, you can call landlines in fifty-five countries.
If you are not looking for an unlimited plan and only plan on making a few calls, you can also buy Skype Credit which can be used to send SMS messages and call both mobile and landlines.
Concluding Thoughts
Due to its low cost VoIP services, and good entry level features for free software, Skype is worth considering if you are looking for a VoIP service but have minimal needs, i.e. using it to connect with family and friends. Even though the service offers unlimited plans and bundled packages for calling minutes, both domestic and foreign, one is restricted to using the software on their mobile device or computer, (as a soft phone). The software is easy to install and makes it perfect for individuals that are less advanced in terms of technology.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Instant Messaging
- Cheap VoIP Service
- Subscription services with unlimited minutes
- Domestic and Foreign calls
- Calls to mobile numbers
- Social media integration
- Video conferencing calls
- Wifi service available
Cons
- Needs internet access
- High consumption of resources
- Added and extra features must be purchased.
- No language translation
- No call returns
- No call blocking
- No ability to call 911 or emergency services
- Lacking in tools for Skype Business
- Video function sometimes lags or has errors if the internet connection on either party’s end is not faster or strong enough
Skype Software For Windows 7
Free calls and chat tool with file transfers, screen sharing, video and audio calls, conferences, contacts management, and more features
Skype is one of the best voice over IP services and instant messaging clients that comes bundled with a powerful set of calling, video, messaging and sharing capabilities. The program can be run on various platforms, such as Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, BlackBerry 10, iOS, Symbian and Windows Phone, as well as Windows 8.1 tablets and touch PCs.
Free calls and instant messaging in one tool
You may sign in using your Skype account or skip this step by entering your Microsoft or Facebook authentication parameters.
As soon as you are able to sign in, the program reveals a configuration wizard designed to help you check your sound and video by testing your speakers, microphone and webcam, and set a profile picture by taking an image or uploading a custom photo from your computer.
Sleek interface, bots, contacts list, and more
Taking into consideration that the utility aims to integrate calling, video, messaging and sharing options into a single layout, it manages to successfully deliver a clean and smart design so you won’t get lost navigating or tweaking its features.
Skype lists all your contacts in the main window, provides quick access to recent conversations, and lets you search for contacts by name, Skype name or email, or you can save a phone number.
What’s more, you can check out updates from your contacts, call mobiles and landlines with the aid of the built-in dial pad, create a group for sending instant messaging and files, and change your status (Online, Away, Do Not Disturb, Invisible or Offline).
Calling and video features
Skype For Personal Use Download
Skype gives you the possibility to call anyone else on Skype, call mobiles and landlines worldwide, set a group of people together on one call or video call, get your Skype calls forwarded to any phone, as well as enable a smart video feature for getting closer with a face to face catch up.
The tool gives you the freedom to send a message during video sessions, make use of the instant messaging service for chatting with your friends, as well as create voice messages.
The instant messaging panel is kept very simple, and you may insert various emoticons, drag and drop files (be they documents, images, photos or videos) directly into the conversation window, search for words using Bing, remove or copy messages to the clipboard, edit sent messages directly in the conversation panel, and sort messages by Skype or SMS.
Contact management and other handy features
Skype Software Sarl
You can view the profile of a user, rename it, add it to Favorites or a custom list, mark conversation as unread, block a person, view old messages, remove a user from Contacts, and hide the selected conversation.
What’s more, the tool lets you send contact details on Skype by simply dragging and dropping the contact into the chat, share your computer screen, as well as send instant messages, enable video calls with your Facebook friends, and view news feed directly from Skype.
Skype lets you back up your contacts to VCF file format, sort contacts by online or name, reveal Outlook contacts, hide those who are offline, and enable IM notifications.
Rich set of configuration settings
Skype comes with a comprehensive configuration panel that enables you to start a call when you double-click on a contact, appear as Away when you are inactive for a user-defined time, run the tool at Windows startup, alter audio and video settings, play a preset or custom sound upon various events, and enable Skype Wi-Fi.
When it comes to privacy features, you may allow calls and IMs only from people in your Contact list, keep history, automatically receive video and share screen with anyone, and manage blocked contacts.
Other settings allow you to display notifications in the system tray upon different events (e.g. contact comes online or goes offline) and tweak several advanced features for configuring Internet connections and altering hotkeys.
Top product on the market
All in all, Skype proves to be a reliable application, moves fast, delivers a user-friendly environment, integrates a rich-featured suite of configuration settings, and is suitable for all types of users.
Filed under
Download Hubs
Skype is part of these download collections: Instant Messenger, VoIP Clients
Skype was reviewed by Ana Marculescu- Internet connection – broadband is best (GPRS is not supported for voice calls)
- Speakers and microphone - built-in or separate.
- For voice calls we recommend a broadband connection with 100 kbps down / 100 kbps up.
- Webcam
- 1 GHz processor (Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz processor recommended)
- There's no reaction for what I am feeling: Yes, there is. You can now customize the reaction picker in Skype, so the perfect reaction is always on hand. Learn more about the reaction picker.
- Bug fixes and stability improvements. We've changed around some keyboard shortcuts to fix a bug between Skype and Terminal, plus made a few other general improvements.
Skype Software Free
Skype 8.67.0.87 / 8.67.76.83 Preview / 7.41.0.101 Classic
Softpedia Editor's Pickadd to watchlistsend us an update- portable version
- A portable version of this application is available: sPortable (Portable Skype)
- runs on:
- Windows 10 32/64 bit
Windows 8 32/64 bit
Windows 7 32/64 bit
Windows Vista 32/64 bit - file size:
- 71.1 MB
- filename:
- Skype-8.67.0.87.exe
- main category:
- Office tools
- developer:
- visit homepage
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