Earlier this week Skype released Skype 4.1 Beta bringing back a few features lost in Skype 4.0 and introducing screen sharing (previously available with Skype for Mac 2.8 beta). From Raul Liive’s introduction post:

Skype 4.1 Beta for Windows brings to you long hours of work from our audio and video team. They have introduced screen sharing functionality into Skype for Windows and in addition to that they have also worked hard on audio and video quality and reliability.

In addition to the updates to the audio and video engines (incorporating the SILK codec) , Skype 4.1 restores birthday reminders (if you want to keep your birthday private, simply don’t enter it into your Skype profile) and exchanging Skype contacts. One other feature: it embeds Skype’s browser toolbars for Firefox and Internet Explorer.

But to put some more perspective on screen sharing (shown below is a screen shared from a MacBook using Skype for Mac 2.8 beta):

Desktop sharing is simply an additional communication mode that complements voice and chat conversation:

• It’s a complementary communications mode to chat and voice conversations
• It uses the Skype video stream; as a result you can either send video or display your screen but not both concurrently. Clicking on the video camera icon while sharing your screen will terminate the desktop sharing; click on the video icon again and video will commence.
• It allows either full screen sharing or a selected region (but not specific windows)
• The viewing party can see either a window view or a full screen view
• It is a one-to-one collaboration tool for one-to-one conversations; recall that video calling only supports one-to-one calls
• It provides an excellent way to enhance a conversation when editing documents, making a PowerPoint presentation or demonstrating a design or support issue.
• Updates are almost instantaneous and “snappy”
• It is the only screen sharing that allows sharing of full video activity such as showing a YouTube video. This capability results from its use of the Skype video channel which can handle up to 30 fps.
• It is NOT a moderator-managed conferencing collaboration service for multi-participant discussions and presentations.

Having been a beta tester for the browser toolbars, I’ll discuss them in a separate post.

Recall that this is beta software; you can find the Release Notes outlining features, improvements and bugfixes in Raul’s post. Take heed; there may still be bugs; I have already reported one. To quote Raul again:

which means that it might sometimes not follow your orders, but instead act on it’s own. In case this happens, please let us know by commenting on [his] blog [post], posting on the forum or reporting issues on our public issue tracker.

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• Skype for Mac 2.8 Beta 2 with SILK Codec (voiceontheweb.biz)
• Skype at eComm 2009: Royalty Free Licensing of SILK Codec (voiceontheweb.biz)
• Skype for Windows 4.0 Gold: Blog Coverage (voiceontheweb.biz)
• Canadian Experience with Skype Access and Boingo WiFi (voiceontheweb.biz)

With the launch of Skype for Windows 4.0, Skype delivered its first client incorporating Skype’s new superwideband SILK codec providing a new user experience in voice calling. For example, Alec Saunders in “Skype 4.0 audio: smooth as SILK”:

Perhaps the biggest improvement, though, is audio quality.  We all thought that Skype audio was great, right?  Skype’s internally developed SILK codec slipped into the final release, despite not having been in prior betas. A wideband codec that delivers the goods at half the bitrate of prior codecs, SILK makes talking on Skype a pure pleasure.

The SILK codec will be rolled out with the final release of Skype for Mac 2.8 (currently in beta but without the SILK codec) in April and in the next Linux release (no date given). The coding was designed to allow easy embedding into hardware devices, such as sound cards, headphones and Skype phones. But this still limits the SILK experience to Skype-to-Skype calls. So they looked at the question of how can Skype most readily advance the deployment of this high quality codec  and the resulting user experience at billions of additional voice conversation end points?

At eComm 2009 this afternoon Skype announced, during Jonathan Christensen’s keynote presentation, that the SILK codec will be licensable, royalty-free, to device manufacturers and others; it has been designed independent from Skype signaling protocols such that it can be used in voice streams incorporating the SIP protocol. Jonathan mentioned that there is no requirement to use the SILK codec in conjunction with a Skype implementation.

From an interview with Jonathan Christensen, Skype’s GM for Audio and Video, with Alec Saunders in Skype’s SILKen bear hug: “Further, SILK media streams pass unchanged across Skype’s own media gateways, meaning that SIP endpoints have suddenly become much more compelling in the Skype world”.  Alec goes on to discuss two reasons for Skype’s strategy: (i) to spread superwideband audio everywhere and (ii) to give existing carriers a bear hug. Read the post for details.

In his post on this announcement, Jonathan pointed out what the three year Skype SILK development process focused on:

• • improving audio bandwidth going from 8 kHz to 12 kHz, meaning that a SILK conversation sounds like you are in the same room as the person you are speaking with
  • providing real-time bandwidth scalability to deal with degraded network conditions
  • balancing codec optimization between voice, music and background noise, each of which can have an impact on the overall user experience
  • delivering a robust solution that delivers a more consistent audio experience, regardless of network conditions and an individual user’s voice signature

I have watched as a wireless carrier attempts at new video calling services are introduced and subsequently fail due to a lack of adoption – the primary reason being there are too few devices out there supporting video calling and thus, there’s nobody to whom one can make a wireless video call. Skype’s announcement today overcomes a major barrier to allowing a much broader user base to take advantage of superwideband audio. It’s a first, but key, step towards a broader goal than “Skype Everywhere”, namely, superwideband audio on all voice calling.

Finally, this afternoon I had a chance to meet many members of the SILK development team who attended Jonathan’s presentation. They deserve kudos and congratulations for all their ground breaking efforts and success in setting new standards in voice call quality.

Developers can find more information at Skype’s SILK website.

Phil Wolff, Skype Journal comments on the SILK performance slides shown at the presentation: SILK performs better

Update: The transcript of Jonathan Christensen’s Codec Evolution and Industry Proposal presentation.

Since its launch Tuesday, Skype for Windows 4.0 Gold has received some interesting coverage:

• David Pogue, New York Times: in addition to his column discussed here yesterday, he has produced an amusing video: Skype 4.0: The Cheapskate where a video starring Mr. Cheapskate shows a Skype video session with his daughter, Kim Cheapskate, obviously a student. But it also serves as a humorous introduction to Skype for Windows 4.0′s features.
• Alec Saunders: Saunderslog.com: Skype 4.0 audio: smooth as SILK:

Perhaps the biggest improvement, though, is audio quality. We all thought that Skype audio was great, right? Skype’s internally developed SILK codec slipped into the final release, despite not having been in prior betas. A wideband codec that delivers the goods at half the bitrate of prior codecs, SILK makes talking on Skype a pure pleasure.

• Tom Keating: Skype Launches 4.0 with Super Duper Weenie Wideband Codec. Images conjured up when a new codec is lauded with reduced network bandwidth. Obviously Tom has his favorite food hangouts.

Have a good weekend.

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Columnist David Pogue in a New York Time article reviewing Skype 4.0 starts with the AT&T video phone demonstrated at the 1964 New York World’s Fair and user experience from then. Not a lot of calls due to technical and psychological issues. He talks about why Skype has been so widely accepted (did he remind us it was “free”?) and why Skype has been a survivor when up against iChat, MSN Messenger, SightSpeed and others.

He goes on to mention several issues that have inhibited video calling in the past but then says:

The video quality still varies when you use Skype. Fast Internet connections and fast computers still work better than slow ones. But if you do have a good setup — wow. With certain Logitech or Philips webcam models, Skype 4.0 can deliver a picture that’s as big and sharp and smooth as a TV picture (30 frames a second, 640 by 480 pixels), with almost no delay.

In my test calls to friends in California, New York and Virginia, we were amazed at what a difference it makes when the delay goes away. (Maybe, for its next trick, Skype can lend its technology to the world’s cellphone carriers.)

He then went on to make calls using iChat, ooVoo and SightSpeed: “None of them matched Skype’s immediacy or video and audio quality.” He discusses Skype’s new level of audio quality (with the SILK codec) and reduced network bandwidth speed requirement. He mentions some features that he would still like to see and mentions what differentiates services such as SightSpeed. His closing comment places Skype video calling into a historical perspective:

….. Will we one day adjust to the idea of being on camera every time someone calls?

Nah.

In the end, video chatting isn’t a replacement for phone calls, but a supplement to them, a perfect way to check out someone’s new place, check in with distant family and friends or show off a new talent (or baby). They saw the possibilities back in 1964 — they just didn’t realize that we wouldn’t always want to use them.

Go read David’s post (free registration may be required); it’s an excellent yet objective review of the personal video calling space from the end user perspective. I guess David doesn’t watch Oprah; she seems to be using Skype High Quality Video almost daily according to reports from my wife.

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The most recent hotfix release of Skype for Windows 4 Beta 3 had one key new feature:

• feature: Super Wideband audio codec

The associated Skype Garage post went on to say:

… Starting from this version we’ve included the new Super Wideband Audio codec. This is our second in-house built audio codec especially designed for calls over the internet with superb quality. The Super Wideband Audio codec will help you most on lousy network conditions and when you have lower bandwidth available, although it also improves quality in normal conditions too.

Today Skype for Windows 4.0 Gold release will now allow the entire Skype for Windows user community to take advantage of the SILK codec’s features.

SILK is basically a significant improvement on Skype’s previously acclaimed HD Voice performance. I have now experienced a couple of calls where this SILK codec was available at both ends of the call; it certainly provides a clearer, crisper audio experience. (For those unfamiliar with the term “codec” they are algorithms engineered into the voice communications network for converting audio waveforms into digital streams for transmission over the communications network and then converting them back to an audio waveform at the receiving end.)

Last week I had the opportunity to interview Jonathan Christensen, Skype’s General Manager for Media Platform to learn more details about this “SILK” codec. This codec is the outcome of a three year development process with a focus on:

• improving the audio bandwidth out to 12,000 KHz
• providing bandwidth management to deal in real time with degraded  network conditions
• balancing the codec optimization between voice, music and background noise, each of which can have an impact on the overall user experience
• overall robustness to provide a more consistent user experience, regardless of network conditions and an individual caller’s voice signature.

While the human ear can hear sounds up to 22 KHz the actual sound produced by human vocal chords has a frequency range of 20 Hz to 14 KHz; however, sounds below 70Hz are not what you would call “pleasant” (as experienced with those “thump, thump” car speakers). Skype’s SILK codec is optimized for the transmission of audio between 70 Hz and 12 KHz. Compare this to the bandwidth of the PSTN’s standard G711 codec of 400 Hz to 3.4KHz; wider band codecs, such as AMR-WB and iSAC cover the range of 50 Hz to 7 or 8 KHz respectively. And, as indicated in both the AMR-WB and iSAC Wikipedia entries, there is a major licensing cost consideration:

AMR-WB has been standardized by a mobile phone manufacturer consortium for future usage in networks such as UMTS. Although its speech quality (similar to Skype, including glitches) makes it likely that older networks will have to gradually be transformed to support wide band, its high legal costs may limit its uptake.

However, in order to deliver on this audio bandwidth, Skype also had to consider getting the voice stream across the Internet. SILK interacts with Skype’s redeveloped (network) bandwidth manager that uses a feedback algorithm to provide “adaptive bandwidth management”. SILK is a “variable bitrate” codec that can scale the bitrate (amount of data being transmitted as voice packets) up and down as necessary. The key network parameters governing this adaptation are packet loss and jitter changes. Fundamentally, to the end user, this means incorporating a level of call robustness that results in improved consistency of call quality, especially for lower speed Internet connections (below 3Mbps) with no user intervention required.

Another factor to be considered are accommodations for differences in perception of audio quality depending on whether there is voice, music or random background noise involved in the audio signal. Suffice it to say that Skype’s engineers have been involved in a balancing act amongst these factors in the development of the SILK codec.

The bottom line is that Skype has set new barriers for voice call quality and and the associated user experience. Since there needs to be SILK at both ends of a call, the number of calls I have experienced with SILK has been limited but, as mentioned above, those I have made had a very crisp, clear audio quality. With Skype’s launch today of Skype for Windows 4 Gold release almost all my Skype-to-Skype calls will be able to achieve this performance level. Going forward expect to see SILK incorporated into ont only Skype for Mac. But the the SILK codec has been modularly designed for embedding into silicon; we can expect some future Skype-enabled hardware platforms to be able to take advantage of SILK’s performance.

And finally note that, in order to keep costs low while improving call quality, Skype has no licensing costs associated with their proprietary codec. Is there a potential for a new Skype revenue stream by licensing this codec to other communications service providers as well as hardware vendors?

Over the past eight months 1.2 million Skype users have participated in the Skype for Windows 4.0 beta program (stage 1, stage 2, stage 3). During this beta period, not only current user feedback was sought but also feedback from new users installing Skype for the first time. The goal was to provide a user interface that was more intuitive while encouraging users to go beyond simply voice calls to experience and use chat and video conversations.

Today Skype is announcing the Gold release of Skype 4.0 for Windows. From the download page:

We’ve built this brand new Skype so you can have the conversations that make a difference to you, every day. It’s easy to use, plus step-by-step guides help you get started.

While most of the new features have been revealed during the beta period, Skype’s marketing will focus on three key features:

• New user interface; with over 25% of Skype-to-Skype calls involving video this new release has been designed with a focus on improving the video call user experience.
• Improved call quality: Skype 4.0 for Windows incorporates Skype’s new SILK codec whose features are discussed in a separate post today. Bottom line is a crisp, crystal clear audio experience, yet only half the network bandwidth of other codecs is required to support a voice call.
• Bandwidth management: a new bandwidth manager has been developed with the goal of improving overall call performance by adapting, in real time, to degraded or low speed network conditions, such as those caused by excessive packet loss and/or jitter.

The new user interface also has taken into account factors that encourage users to explore Skype beyond voice calling. Incorporating beta user feedback Skype has found that the new UI is driving up adoption rates for Instant Messaging, file transfer and video. When you open a contact window launching a voice, chat or video conversation requires a single click on the respective voice (“Call”), chat or video button. The associated text pane tracks not only chat messages but also voice and video call detail information (launch time, end time) as well as file transfer information. And, as in the past with chat, the entire record is all archived on your local PC for future recall.

Other features: You can choose to view your Skype activity in one larger screen or in individual “conversation” windows. During a call a drop down menu on the “call audio control bar” provides quick access to making any necessary audio or video settings. Single click buttons allow you to quickly change oe add conversation modes to adapt to the context of the conversation. A wizard provides assistance with testing audio and video settings. During their testing they found that these features drove new users to more quickly experience chat and video while there was an increase in usage of these modes by legacy users.

On-the-fly the bandwidth manager can adjust both video and audio transmission by making real time adjustments to parameters such as video resolution, frames-per-second or audio bandwidth. to ensure an ability to maintain a basic level of communication while enduring these conditions. Once again the goal is to improve the overall user experience with no user intervention required.

Two changes;

• The SkypeMe! status button has been removed as a result of its tendency to be used for spamming and other forms of unwanted calls. (Of course you also still have the option to only allow callers in your Contact list to call you.). Along with this Skype has introduced “abuse reporting” which is monitored by Skype personnel for dealing with undesirable calling activity.
• While you can still participate in Public Chat sessions launched or joined from Skype 3.8, there is still no ability to launch or join a Public Chat from Skype 4.0 for Windows. This is my primary complaint about the new user interface. We have had a Skype 4.x Public Chat discussion ongoing since May, 2007; it has provided an interesting dialogue amongst Skype users and Skype personnel, including some feedback on features in Skype 4.0. And is has supported many other informal “water fountain” conversations amongst special interest communities of Skype users. Skype for Windows Product Manager Mike Bartlett claimed yesterday, during an interview, that Skype was reviewing how to embark on “public conversations” in today’s messaging world where services such as Twitter and Friend Feed also provide ongoing dialogues. However, Skype Public Chat has its own “space” in terms of user community; it needs to be brought back as soon as possible.

Over the next few weeks, with more experience using Skype 4.0 for Windows we may cover some features in more detail. In the meantime you can download it here. We look forward your feedback in the Comments. Release Notes are here.

Yesterday Skype went past 16 million concurrent users around 1830 GMT. It will be interesting to monitor both the concurrent user number and Hudson Barton’s “real user” indicator as Skype 4.0 for Windows installations grow over the next couple of weeks..

Of course, the best news is that Skype-to-Skype calls (including multi-party calls), chat and video calling remain free. And there are calling plan subscriptions available for low cost calling to landlines worldwide.

Other Posts:

• Mike Bartlett Discusses Skype 4.0 Beta on Squawk Box
• Skype’s videos about the 4.0 beta limited release
• Mike Bartlett Comments on Skype 4.0 User Feedback
• Mike Bartlett on Skype 4.0 Beta 1 Feedback

This morning Skype released a hotfix upgrade for Skype for Windows 4.0 beta 3 bringing in several new features but most significant is the introduction of a new “super wideband Audio codec; from the Skype Garage blog post linked above:

This is our second in-house built audio codec especially designed for calls over the internet with superb quality. The Super Wideband Audio codec will help you most on lousy network conditions and when you have lower bandwidth available, although it also improves quality in normal conditions too.

In the Skype 4.x Discussion Public Chat Raul Liive goes on to say: “it’s superior over SVOPC in every usage area, but it comes best out in the low bw or loose internet conenction cases”. However, the legacy SVOPC codec remains available to address backward compatibility requirements.

Other new features include;

• MySpaceIM with Skype (functionality carried over from 3.8)
• Option to disable uPnP and Nat-PMP
• eBay browser highlighter bundled
• Added Philips SPC 1330 NC as High Quality Video camera

along with an improvement in the Instant Messaging layout and numerous bug fixes listed in the release notes.

As I am at CES where my laptop still has the last released version 3.8 of Skype for Windows in order to access features such as Public Chat creation, I will not be able to try this hotfix out until I return home this weekend (where my desktop has the 4.0 beta 3). But if you have a PC running the beta version, it’s definitely worth checking out this hotfix. I am curious to see if they also fixed the “flashing technical call info” problem.

Obviously feedback about :”hidden mysteries” should go back to Skype’s forum for reporting issues; however, if you have experience with the new codec, tell us about it in the Comments.

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We have just learned that Skype 4.0 Beta 3 is now available. Once we have had a chance to install and review it, there will be more  to say. But for now:

• Skype 4.0 Beta 3 Download.
• Release Notes
• Raul Liive’s Skype Blog Post

From the Release Notes (which also lists many bugfixes):

Check out and provide your feedback to Beta Feedback, Skype Forums or the Jira public issue tracker or in comments to this post below.

The PamConsult team, producers of Pamela and PamFax amongst other products, lives and breathes conversation products due to the breadth of their overall product line. In their PamNews blog post on Skype for Windows 4.0 Beta 2 they state:

…. We have tested it and found it to be already stable enought for day to day usage. It has less rough edges as Beta 1 and a lot of the Beta 1 feedback has been incorporated in this release. So if you are a bit computer savy you will definitely want to give the Beta 2 a go.

…. Again, this Beta 2 is a great step forward. It is noticeable that Skype are listening hard to their users and I think the end product will really reshape the way people look at “messenger” applications. Just compare this beta release with the Live Messenger 2009 release – wow, does the Live Messenger look outdated .

If you visit their post, you can also vote in their poll.

In addition to the launch of the Skype for Windows 4.0 Beta 2 program today, Skype also released a hotfix update for its current public release version 3.8. It includes support for High Quality Video on a few additional cameras beyond the Logitech Carl Zeiss optics cameras previously supported and updates to the Firefox and Internet Explorer toolbars, amongst other minor changes. Go to Help | Check for Updates on your current Skype 3.8 client menus or download here.

Earlier today we posted information about the availability of Skype for Windows Beta 2 along with a video as well as download and feedback links. This morning Product Manager Mike Bartlett put out a post where he provided more details about the information gathering process that contributed to the redesign:

Different types of users gave us very different feedback. For example, in the Skype forums, where some of our most experienced users hang out, we heard a lot more negativity, in particular around screen size. However, in our surveys we saw quite the opposite. When we collated all of the feedback together, we found that just over 70% of people who tried Beta 1 prefer using it to older versions of Skype.

We’re confident that this is quite reflective of the entire Skype user base. But 70% is not a number we’re happy with because we know that many of you out there would prefer a more familiar experience, and in particular an experience that allows you to work more easily whilst Skype is running in the background.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT (GMT-4) or 3 p.m.GMT Mike will be appearing as the guest on this morning’s Squawk Box.

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Wednesday, October 1, the second beta release of Skype 4.0 will become available for worldwide testing. Via a mix of feedback channels involving legacy users and new users, bug reporting and usability issue forums and direct surveys that resulted in over 45,000 participants’ responses and feedback, Skype learned:

• 70% were in favor of the new “large desktop” user interface; about 30% wanted to return to the traditional compact user interface.
• users were looking for improved means of organizing contacts by groups
• there exists a lack of awareness that Skype offered more conversation modes than simply free voice calls
• problems with how IM presented itself to the new user
• users were missing Instant messages and other events due to a lack of appropriate notification procedures

As a result Skype 4.0 beta 2 includes:

• user choice of a default “large desktop” view or a compact view
• organization of contacts by categories (the term “Groups” now refers to a multitude of users within a conversation such as in a Group Chat, Public chat or on a multi-party call); with several default categories)
• new drop down menu to select “Categories” from the “Contacts” tab
• new algorithms for message and missed call notification, with the initial notification coming via a tag on the Skype System Tray icon so as not to make the notification activity overwhelming
• a new way to display a selected Contact’s information when in a call or chat session
• several options for resizing the user information, the video images, the chat area of a conversation, etc.
• entry of PSTN phone numbers into a Contact’s information on your local PC for those Contacts who have not included these phone numbers in their Skype user profile: mobile, home, office, other.

Skype for Windows Product Manager Mike Bartlett has prepared a video to demonstrate some of the new features:

And you can download Skype 4.0 Beta 2 here.

Skype 4.0 Beta 2 has the same caveat as we issued for Skype 4.0 Beta 1: this is beta software, there will be bugs and may even be usability issues. This is your opportunity to provide feedback. It is still missing some features of Skype 3.8, the last officially released version of Skype, such as Call History and creation of Public Chats. Do not use it as your primary Skype interface, especially if you depend on Skype for business or professional communications. I am still running Skype 3.8 on my laptop; I run Skype 4.0 Beta on my desktop PC.

Phil will be posting tomorrow with more details on his experience.

Hint: to activate the Contact Categories feature, go to Contacts | Contact Categories | See All Contact Categories.

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About two weeks ago Skype launched a new type of beta … one that actually will end at some point in the reasonably near future but that is also a major effort to incorporate user feedback while trialing some new concepts. As mentioned in my previous posts about this beta, this is not a replacement for your current Skype 3.8 or earlier installation in mission critical situations but rather Skype wants to trial this version with a broader audience than simply their very dedicated set of designated outside beta testers worldwide.

On Monday Skype’s Product Manager for Windows, Mike Bartlett put out a post, 10 days later …, commenting on the first ten days of feedback from users. (I’m a little late on following up on this as I’m supposed to be on vacation this week.) To quote Mike:

We’ve had some very positive feedback from a lot of people on the new way of working, and that’s encouraging as it seems we’re starting to solve the problems that we set out to solve. However, it’s very understandable some of you used to using Skype on a regular basis have been a bit frustrated about not being able to work with Skype the way they are used to.

Key points:

1. In beta 2 they will introduce a “Compact” mode where users can access their main Skype activity through a a more traditionally sized window that does not take a large portion of the user’s desktop. From my own experience I like the ability to detach conversations into separate windows, if desired; however, the right side “pane” left over when there is no focus on a Conversation, is wasted desktop space. Perhaps a sliding window pane addition, much like the one that comes with the JWire Hotspot Finder, would be more appropriate. In this case when you focus on a Conversation listed under the Conversations tab but not already open in a detached window or initiate a new conversation with a Contact , the wider conversation pane would slide out and become detachable, if desired. And using this feature should be a user selected option. On the other hand I find the new Conversations tab feature in the left pane to be very useful (a concept apparently adopted from the current Skype for Mac) for readily accessing my conversations with individual contacts..
2. One of the primary issues Skype wants to address is how the video is displayed in a more user friendly, more obvious, yet flexible manner. Basically Mike describes ways to both detach and resize the video in the current beta but also mentions we can expect further enhancements in beta 2. From my own personal experience, Skype video looks best in a minimum 640 x 480 window (available with Skype 3.6 and later) due to its clarity and video quality but with Skype 4.0 beta, as a user, you can determine your own optimum video window size and detach a video session into a separate resizable video window.
3. And for all those frustrated Skype for Mac users out there, expect something later this summer that incorporates feedback from the Skype for Windows beta experience.

One question: does the appearance of the “Add people” button in the detached video window (see Mike’s post) foretell a future beta that incorporates multi-party video?

Yes, there are still many “details” being suggested; I’m sure Mike’s team is looking at them all and especially looking for commonality amongst the many users providing feedback. We have to give credit to Mike and his team for introducing as a trial such a radical UI change to try out with the wider user community. If nothing else, it has demonstrated the passion and enthusiasm of the Skype user community while providing an opportunity for receiving back their input.

As I have said repeatedly, this is a beta; it’s not for any of your mission critical Skype installations as it still lacks some features of the released Skype 3.8. But it’s certainly worthwhile installing it on a secondary PC, trying out the various features available and providing feedback.

Once again, this is a beta — it’s not the final released version — changes, incorporating where feasible and practical the consensus of Skype’s user base, will happen. On the other hand, as one who has administered software beta programs in the past when “beta” meant truly trying new concepts while getting user feedback over a limited time period, Skype is running a true beta program for Skype 4.0, not an “infinite” beta as seems to have become the norm for many web services providers these days. Apparently we can expect a second beta release towards the end of the summer, with the objective of a final release later this fall.

Hat tip to Andy at VoIP Watch, who is also supposed to be on vacation this week, for pointing out Mike’s post.

Over the past two weeks there have been several announcements and activities related to the personal conversation space:

• Skype announced its Skype 4.0 beta program trialing a “full desktop” interface.
• SightSpeed announced an improved SightSpeed client with many engineering improvements to enhance video and audio quality
• SightSpeed for Business announced a 9-party video conferencing capability
• iotum launched its rebranded CalliFlower voice conferencing platform
• Dell announced their new Studio line of prosumer laptops incorporating Dell Video Chat powered by SightSpeed.

And the combination of these announcements, along with my own experience in using these services, hit home once again that it’s all about the user experience. This market needs to remain competitive through innovation but at the same time it’s also measured against performance, process and marketing. Skype and iotum have set some standards to be met, including:

• High Quality Video that has turned my lethargy about video calling into an enthusiastic user whenever feasible. Its 640 x 480 @ 30 frames per second over widely available (cable and DSL) broadband connections, along with top quality webcam optics, sets the standard I am looking for.
• Echo cancellation: while I continue to use a headset for privacy and courtesy reasons, most of my Skype calls are to contacts who are using the basic microphone and speakers provided as the basic configuration of a PC.
• Wideband or HD audio: provides an clarity of sound that constantly amazes. Unfortunately, our legacy phone system makes compromises that we have to live with but when it comes to VoIP-based services I want that HD voice.
• Complementary services: iotum’s interactive participant interface richly enhances the voice conference call experience.
• Upgrades: when I do an upgrade I just want the new version to work. No hangups, no PC freezes. Whereas upgrades could be the cause of much angst ten to fifteen years ago, upgrades offered to the public today – especially if enforced – need to “just work”. And these days I find most offerings meet that standard.
• Auxiliary services such as conversation archiving and file transfer.
• Beta programs are just that: programs to try out new concepts and get user feedback. Pre-Internet I ran software beta programs out of the public eye; today many services and offerings tend to leave their offering in a state of “constant beta” in the public eye such that users don’t realize that beta means provide feedback and check out the various phases as the offering evolves. But please don’t equate beta with the “officially released” product.

And my “like-to-have” list includes:

• Multi-party video conferencing
• Improved conversation management; switch readily between multiple conversations and see a record of all activities with a contact.
• Improved marketing at all the service providers: give us the straight goods, what is the benefit to the user? Forget the technology accomplishments, yes we appreciate – it’s about the user uptake and experience.

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We reported earlier that Mike Bartlett, Skype for Windows Product Manager, would be the guest on Friday’s Squawk Box. With 15 fifteen participants, Mike answered questions ranging from features of the new Skype for Windows 4.0 Beta; plans and objectives for the beta program, the challenges of trying to launch concurrent (Windows, Mac, Linux) versions, interoperation with other services (such as iotum’s Free Conference Call service that hosted the call) and other issues related to the evolution of Skype.

Three key points:

• The Skype for Windows 4.0 beta program is unique in that they are seeking out user responses to the challenges of getting new users started readily while leaving the flexibility and scalability issues power users encounter. For instance, while the Beta 1 client takes up a full desktop — largely to get user reaction — there will probably end up being a way to “hide” the conversation content pane, leaving the left hand conversation management pane but they want feedback from all beta participants on the full desktop. As a result we will see several phases to this beta program with a final release date largely dependent on the beta program feedback (and they’re getting lots).
• New users are randomly being presented to with the beta to get the feedback from actual new users on how they adopt Skype. They want to improve on the adoption rate by new users; abandonment is an issue they are certainly conscious of. (Or does it help to answer the question as to, why, with over 300 million reported account registrations, are the ongoing usage rates in the range of 30 to 35 million “real users“?)
• Providing real time communications infrastructure is most efficiently handled when Skype can write in the native environment for each of the Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. As a result they do not want to compromise the performance through using a cross platform environment but rather want to provide user experiences that users of each environment are accustomed to. Yet this diversity approach to each platform allows the team for one platform to pick up features and experiences from other platforms. For instance the conversation management user interface of Skype for Window 4.0 beta was picked up from experience with the Skype for Mac user interface with its “slide-out” drawers.

There were many more issues discussed; go over to Saunderslog.com’s “Squawk Box June 20 – Skype 4.0″ and listen to the complete interview.

Once again, if you wish to participate in the Skype 4.0 for Windows beta program, read our earlier post for download information but also read the caveats.

Caution: Skype 4.0 for Wiindows Beta 1 is about improving the User Interface but it is not a replacement for your ongoing Skype conversations on your primary PC and should only be used on a secondary PC to provide user feedback.

While over the years, over 300 million have figured out how to download and install Skype, it’s become apparent that, in the end, it’s the user experience that will drive more massive Skype adoption. Finding those initial contacts, getting the speaker/mic working properly, ensuring you have a good Internet connection and determining what hardware is optimal for a good Skype experience is all part of Skype’s ongoing research and development. And perhaps the most important of these is having a user interface that “delights the user”. Certainly new Skype President Josh Silverman has indicated this as a primary goal for Skype.

In working towards this end Skype has made available an early beta version of Skype 4.0 for Windows with the primary goal of making Skype easier:

• for new users who are just starting up with Skype
• for ongoing users to manage, archive and recall their Skype conversations
• to improve the quality of certain aspects of conversations but especially with how video is displayed during video calls.

Check out the videos provided by Skype that Phil has posted to get a more dynamic overview. A key to understanding release 1 of the Skype 4.0 beta is that its development is at a stage where the Skype product team needs some outside user feedback. As a result they expect the Skype 4.0 beta activity to last through the summer prior to releasing for general use in, say, September, 2008 (a speculative release date, not an official one).

On the other hand at this stage it is an EARLY beta and is missing some features available in the current Skype 3.8 for Windows client. As a result I recommend that you only try it on a secondary PC while keeping Skype 3.8 on your primary PC used for Skype conversations, especially if Skype is mission critical to your conversations. From Product Manager Mike Bartlett’s post today:

We’re sharing this beta with you a little earlier than normal because we know it’s a big change, and sometimes change can take some getting used to. We’re going to spend the whole summer listening to your feedback and making changes so that when we do launch the final version, we’ll make sure it’s perfect. Because we’re releasing it early, a few little things aren’t available in today’s beta: full history and contact groups are two examples.

I can add Call Transfer and PayPal integration as two more 3.8 features missing from this Beta 1. Check out the full Release Notes, identifying the missing features. Via a “Contact Customer Support” Help menu item you can provide your feedback where they’re specifically requesting your “comment, feedback or frustration”.

If you’re into beta testing; if you have a secondary or back-up PC on which you can try this out, give it a try (download here). There is going to be a learning curve to get familiar with the new interface — keep in mind that, with Skype 4.0, it’s more about the user experience than the technology (although technology performance bugs should also be reported). As the beta releases progress we’ll advise you when it’s ready to try out as your primary Skype client. And, as we get more experience with it, we’ll be posting our comments.

Around the blogosphere:

Andy Abramson: VoIP Watch: Skype 4.0 Beta Comes To Life

As a basis for making new revenue, it shows me that Skype is looking beyond just selling cheap minutes. For now think of 4.0 as a canvas, that’s only been outlined. The real version is weeks away and likely will incorporate more feedback from users.

Om Malik: GigaOm: Video Makes Skype 4.0 Grow Bigger, Wider

The real reason for the redesign, however, is Skype Video, which desperately needed a new layout because it requires an ease-of-use that eludes the current client. As I pointed out a few weeks ago, video communication (which accounts for about 28 percent of total Skype calls) has been one of the fastest-growing features on Skype, thanks to the easy availability of built-in cameras, especially in devices used by mobile workers.

Dan York: Disruptive Telephony: Skype 4.0 seriously disrupts the Skype UI – is this a good thing? Dan hits on the core of this beta program:

I’ll also be curious to see how well Skype balances “simplifying” the user experience for new users while maintaining the functionality that “power users” have come to expect. It’s a tough balancing act and it will be interesting to see how Skype does.

New York Times: A Redesign at Skype (registration required)

Sten Tamkivi: siekatsu: Skype 4.0 beta 1 is out! (Full disclosure: Sten is Skype’s General Manager of its Estonia operations which includes the Skype development teams.)