Skype 3

A newer version of Skype is available.

Download the latest version | Learn more about Skype 3.8.0.180

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Features

Popularity:
#1 in Web Phones & VoIP Software (out of 470 products)
Editor's Rating:
5.0 stars
Average User Rating:
4.0 stars (out of 768 votes) Rate it!
Downloads:
4,195,765
Requirements:
Windows 2000/XP
Limitations:
No limitations
Date Added:
December 14, 2006
Previous Versions:

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Publisher's description of Skype 3

From Skype:

Skype is software that enables you to make free calls anywhere in the world. Skype uses innovative P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you with other users. It offers several features, including SkypeOut calling from Skype to regular and mobile phones worldwide, conference calling, and secure file transferring. Skype calls have better sound quality than your regular phone and are highly secure, with end-to-end encryption.

Version 3 is easier to use, has more powerful and personal interface, and connects with the world on Skype Public Chats.

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Editor's review of Skype 3

5.0 stars
"Slash your long-distance bills"

Skype is well regarded for offering stable, free VOIP to other Skype users and affordable calling from a PC to a phone, be it a landline or a cell phone. The most recent upgrade makes getting in touch with friends and family--and even complete strangers--much, much easier.

Functionality still varies depending on your Internet connection and what else you're doing with it while using Skype, but they are making some efforts to improve that. When you finish a Skype call, a Web page opens and asks you about the conversation's sound quality. The clean layout combines familiar chatware functions with a dialing interface, so that calling a phone is as simple as entering the desired number and hitting the dial button.

Improvements include conference calling with as many as nine people, video calling, and a browser plug-in that turns phone numbers on Web pages into links that automatically dial via Skype when clicked. There are also Skypecasts, throwbacks to the party-line multiperson telephone conversations from the mid-20th century.

Overall, we think Skype is a strong contender in the Internet Telephony category, and anyone who's interested in talking for free should give it a try. For international callers who have computers, this program is a no-brainer solution for long-distance bills.

User reviews of Skype 3

Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 768 votes
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Showing 5 of 26 user reviewsSee all 26 user reviews
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5 stars

13 out of 16 people found this review helpful

Version: Skype 3

"Good Alternative To Landline Calls"

by Complete Novice on December 18, 2006

Pros: I have been using Skype for a while now and like what it has to offer.

The software is FREE and calls to other skype users are also FREE. You can speak for as long as you like for no cost at all to another skype user.

The interface is so easy to use and to set up. It's an address book on your computer with a very easy to use system. Calls to non skype users are not free but are very cheap. I can phone overseas to the US for 0.17 euro cent per minute, and the landline costs me 2.2 euro cents a minute.

To sum up, if you have friends or family abroad it is a great way to stay in touch for little to no expense.

If you try it and find you get no benefit from it then use up your credit and uninstall it.

Cons: These are not cons but more a pointers.

You do have to put an amount of money into your skype account, in my case it is 10 euros.

Sometimes you will be cut off mid conversation, but if it's to another skype user, hey just phone back, it's FREE.

In the past to a non skype user you can sound like you are speaking in an echo chamber but have noticed an improvement recently.

You will need to buy a hand or headset with a USB connector as it plugs into your computer.

As I said less of a con, rather something to be aware of.

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4 stars

Version: Skype 3

"So wonderful!"

by AndyCokeChon on January 12, 2007

Pros: It's much faster than the old. The quality of audio and video is enhanced much. This is still the best video chat software.

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5 stars

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Version: Skype 3

"best telephony program. no cons at all. future of telephony...."

by a on December 19, 2006

Pros: this is best program to make voice calls.
pc to pc is free. but what is best is
pc to phone or phone to pc. cheapest
rates for that. the best audio quality.
connection is encrypted.

Cons: there is none...

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4 stars

Version: Skype 3

"Great just watch out for some strange people on there"

by johnpaullucky7 on January 6, 2007

Pros: I use Skype its great there is live skype casts on there where you can chat to people in one big room for free. There is a Skype Me Mode where you can get people to find you and then add you its ok at times. No you dont need a microphone for this cause most users i speak to on here hate using them.

Cons: I hate the fact you get some guy or woman from e.g turkey or somewhere been sick pervert's. always be carefull in who you add you dont like them block them. be safe

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1 stars

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Version: Skype 3

"Very slow on newest version"

by ajmonte on December 20, 2006

Pros: The older versions worked fine.

Cons: The newest version of SKYPE 3.0 has been a dissapointment as voice over communication is garbled and chat is very slow.

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Skype 3

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