Luxembourg-based Skype Technologies S.A. on Tuesday announced the version 1.0 release of its Skype for Mac OS X application. Previously available as a beta release, Skype enables users to communicate using Voice over IP (VoIP).
Skype, in its free form, allows users of the Skype software to communicate with each other for free, and includes conference calling for up to five participants and cross-platform communication — the software is also available for Linux, Windows and Pocket PC platforms. You can call ordinary telephone lines using Skype’s pay service, called SkypeOut, that charges 1.7 Euro cents per minute (or about 2 US cents per minute) for a “Global Rate” to landlines in a number of popular countries; rates vary in other locations — more details about SkypeOut’s charges are available online
Skype’s features include a global Skype user directory, instant messaging, conference calling, log tracking, customization, file transfer, the ability to sign in to your Skype account from anywhere there’s an Internet connection, encryption and more. Skype for Mac OS X requires Mac OS X v10.3 or newer, a G3/400MHz or faster processor, 20MB free hard disk space, microphone and 33.6Kbps or faster Internet connection.
Updated 8:30 AM 02/01/05: More details about SkypeOut rates added.
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