Apart from a few changes in the layout, new features have also been added. Stuff that caught my eye immediately are: personal messages that appear next to your name in the contact-list (much like in msn) , new ‘bubble’ sounds, and most important of all: video. Yep, they finally added a web cam feature. Haven’t been able to test it yet, but you can read a review on Skype v2 at latimes.com (you need to register, or use bugmenot ).
I’m glad to see that Skype finally added web-cam support, because this will hopefully end all the misery with those 3rd party plug-ins (which really sucked).

]-> download the v2.0.0.43 bèta
]-> Read the changelog

 London, September 12, 2005 – eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY; www.ebay.com) has agreed to acquire Luxembourg-based Skype Technologies SA, the global Internet communications company, for approximately $2.6 billion in up-front cash and eBay stock, plus potential performance-based consideration. The acquisition will strengthen eBay’s global marketplace and payments platform, while opening several new lines of business and creating significant new monetization opportunities for the company. The deal also represents a major opportunity for Skype to advance its leadership in Internet voice communications and offer people worldwide new ways to communicate in a global online era. Skype, eBay and PayPal will create an unparalleled ecommerce and communications engine for buyers and sellers around the world.

 :arrow: Skype Press Release

 Well as I always say, the big get bigger and the small get smaller (okay maybe I don’t but whatever). Basically now that eBay’s purchased Skype I reckon there will be two major differences.

1. A price difference. Lets face it most people want money and eBay’s probably no exception. That means that i’d expect to see at least a rise in prices of the current application.

2. Futher improvements. The software now has a huge company backing it, that means they have the money to improve even futher – mainly to combat the rivalry VOIP software that is coming.

Anyways Skype, you sellouts!  

The Wall Street Journal reported today that EBay is in talks to buy the Luxembourg-based Skype, whose software allows Internet users to speak to each other for free. The acquisition would cost $2 billion to $3 billion, the paper said, citing people familiar with the talks.

Skype has held discussions with other potential purchasers including News Corp., Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp., the Journal said. The talks with EBay are at a sensitive stage and may still collapse, the newspaper said.

Interesting, I heard there had been discussions, but I didn’t know Microsoft had been one of the potential buyers! Back to Skype being sold: I don’t know what to think about it yet, as far as I know eBay is not considered to be an evil company, yet you never know what they’ll do with the software…

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Skype is my favourite VoIP program at this moment, but we might have to start looking at other (open source) alternatives like the Gizmo Project and the new OpenWengo, for we never now what the future might bring.

 Microsoft is preparing to enable computer users to make a normal phone call from their PC.

The computer giant has increased its presence in the fast-growing internet phone sector by purchasing leading player Teleo for an undisclosed sum. Microsoft and rivals AOL, Google and Yahoo all currently allow phone calls between computers, but not yet to a domestic or mobile handset. Yahoo! is also in the process of making such a system.

 :arrow: BBC News

 So it appears that no one wants to miss out on this opportunity. Personally I loved Skype the minute I got my hands on it (quite a while back now!). It was just such a flexible program running on every system I have (Mac, PC and Pocket PC!). I use it quite often and the prices are good. Best of all the application is updated regularly with new features and there are amazing 3rd Party addons too!

Good luck to MS and whoever else, but Skype is gonna be 1 step ahead of you!