Skype For Linux Enters Beta, Adds Support For Video Calls With Other Platforms

The new Skype for Linux app was released as an alpha version back in July, and it included support support for one-to-one and group voice calls, but no video call support. Video call support was added back in October, but only between Skype for Linux Alpha clients

This changes with the latest Skype 5.0 for Linux, which was promoted from Alpha to Beta. The latest version adds support for one-to-one video calls with Skype for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.

Another important change in the latest Skype for Linux 5.0 beta is support for calling to mobiles and landlines with Skype credit.

Also, with this release, you no longer need to download Skype for Linux from the Skype forums - instead, you can simply go to skype.com/download.

Here's the list of changes in Skype for Linux 5.0 beta:

• support for calls to mobiles and landlines with Skype credit;
• one-to-one video calls can now be made from Linux to Skype users the latest versions of Skype for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac;
• Linux users can now view shared screens from other Skype desktop clients (Windows 7.33 and above, Mac 7.46 and above);
• Unity launcher now shows the number of unread conversations;
• online contacts in contact list now include Away and Do Not Disturb statuses;
• performance improvements and bug fixes.

Download Skype for Linux 5.0 Beta (64bit only)

Download Skype for Linux (64bit only! deb and rpm binaries available)

Note that in Ubuntu / Linux Mint (and I assume Debian too), installing Skype for Linux adds its official repository, so you should receive updates directly through Software Updater (or whatever your Linux distribution uses).

Arch Linux users can install Skype for Linux Beta via AUR (64bit only!).