Microsoft has just released the beta version of its new Skype application for Linux. This new version, despite being in stable, has replaced the existing Skype 4.3 on its website as the default download.
If you are not already aware, until now, Microsoft used a Qt based Skype client for Linux. This application lacked a number of features and was not updated for several years. The user interface looked like it was made before 2010.
But Microsoft woke up from the sleep and announced that it was working on a new Skype application for Linux. The new version uses modern cloud architecture, unlike the older version that used peer to peer architecture.
The new Skype version is basically the web version of Skype wrapped using Electron and Node.js. But it does bring the regular Skype features that Windows users are enjoying.
New features in Skype 5.0 Beta
Some of the main highlights of the Skype 5.0 beta release are:
- Calls to mobiles and landlines with Skype credit
- One to one video calls (which means no group video calls yet)
- Linux users can now view shared screens from other Skype desktop clients (it seems that Linux users can only view other’s screen, not share their own. I didn’t see the option to share screen in Linux client)
- Unity launcher shows the number of unread conversations
- Online contacts in contact list now include Away and Do Not Disturb statuses
- Performance improvement and bug fixes
File sharing was already present in the alpha version of the new Skype client.
Install Skype 5.0 Beta in Linux
Despite being in beta, Skype 5.0 beta is now the default download on the Skype website. You cannot find the older Qt versions of Skype 4.x. You can still install Skype older version in Linux from the official repositories, though.
To get the Skype 5.0 beta in Linux, you can go to the download section of Skype website and get either of the .deb or .rpm installation files. I am not certain, but I think that it is only available for 64 bit system. That reiterates my belief that slowly, Linux 32Bit is disappearing from the scene.
Of course, the source code of Skype 5.0 is not available.
Download Skype 5.0 Beta for Linux
Ubuntu users can download the .deb file and install it using Gdebi or Ubuntu Software Center.
Once installed, you can find it in Unity Dash:
The new interface looks like this:
Skype is one of the few instant messaging applications that have native Linux clients. If you are averted to Skype because it’s linked to Microsoft, perhaps you can use Wire or Viber as an alternative.
Are you going to install Skype 5.0 beta in Linux?
Have had a 32-bit Mageia install for ages for simple things like Skype… Now I cannot call everyone any more and there is no new version available. Additionally I tested the “Beta” on a 64-bit machine and the interface sucks! FU Microsoft!!!
I guess we have to start accepting that slowly 32 bit applications will become rare, specially the new ones.
I’ve installed Skype For Linux Beta V: 5.3.0.1 in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS that I am using. I was in a call and to my surprise I could not share my screen because that option was no where there. Is it with everyone ? Or should I use some other version of Skype ?
I’ve had a Skype subscription for years and use it on Linux Mint to make phone calls to landlines and cell phones all over North America for $3.00 per month using Skype 4.3 The new Skype ditches peer to peer for a new “cloud” architecture? That sounds inherently less secure, easier to track, easy to listen in on your conversations, in short it is another way users can be spied on by people they don’t know. Save an older version on disk while you still can.
You have a point there. Skype is full of ads these days so naturally MS is using the data by Skype users.
> Are you going to install Skype 5.0 beta in Linux?
No.
I tried it a few weeks ago,however before it would run i was asked to sign up to a microsoft account!
I dumped windows 10 a year ago, as i felt (rightly as it turned out) that too much personal information was being garnered by microsoft from my pc! So i’m not letting microsoft in from another direction. No Skype from now on,currently as a short term work around i am using google Hangouts, more reliable than skype as it turns out!