Skype, not content with crushing the rest of the telco and VoIP world with their massive mindshare and user base, have improved their software yet again and have just released their latest version 3.0 beta. What’s new in the Skype zoo?

Featuring even simpler and easier ways to talk to people, amongst version 3.0’s new features are community led-chat and discussion. There are also a series of enhancements to the ‘look and feel’ of Skype, giving users instant access to the features they need, when they need them.

Henry Gomez, Chief Marketing Office & Director of Worldwide Operations at Skype, said that: “With every release of our software, we want to give people the freedom to explore the boundaries of conversation and make internet calling and ‘live’ online discussions the most natural thing in the world”.

He continues: “We’re introducing a number of new features with Skype 3.0 beta including Click-to-Call which lets users make calls to ordinary phone numbers when they are online. Click-to-call is so easy to use. For example, imagine you’re searching online for a good place to eat and you find a restaurant and want to make a reservation. All you need to do is click on the number and you can make a direct call using SkypeOut.”

The main list of features and benefits in Skype 3.0 include:

– Skypecasts(TM) and Public Chats which allow users to join in multi-person community conversations and discussions.

– Click-to-call which lets users make calls to ordinary phone numbers with just one click when surfing different websites, using SkypeOut.

– A more powerful and personal user interface making it even easier to enjoy using Skype.

The Skypecasts feature is still in beta, but allows users to browse and join Skypecasts via a new ‘live’ window featured in Skype. Skypecasts are live, moderated discussions allowing groups of up to 100 people from anywhere in the world to talk to one another.

According to Skype, world-renowned mystery author Michael Connelly participated in a Skypecast this September to promote his newest book, Echo Park. The U.K. is one of Connelly’s biggest markets, but no book tour stop was planned. Skypecasts allowed Connelly to hold a virtual book tour where he read an excerpt of his new book and answered questions from his fans about the book, as well as questions about the future of his popular character Detective Hieronymus Bosch, potential movies made from his books and his writing style.

The Skypecast lasted an hour with 35 people joining in from all over the world from England to the States to Malaysia to Italy. The participants, as well as Connelly and his publisher, were very pleased with the end result.

Skype is also introducing an exciting new community feature: public chats. These are open, ongoing text conversations based on instant messaging where users can meet new people and chat about anything they fancy. A Skype user can start or join a public chat directly from Skype. Public chat hosts can moderate the flow and content of conversation.

Hosts can also reject or ban users from public chats and set rules on who can participate and observe the conversation in progress.

Public chats can be promoted using simple online links and web banners in email signatures, blogs, forums, websites or even Skype mood messages.

The Click-to-Calls feature in Skype 3.0 makes it easier for consumers to call ordinary phone numbers with just one click when surfing the internet. Click-to-Call is an automatic online phone number recognition feature that works with both Internet Explorer and Firefox. Click-to-Call allows Skype users to call directly from any website using SkypeOut.

As for Skype’s new and enhanced user interface, its updated look and feel makes Skype simple to use and gives users instant access to the features they need, when they need them. Personalization has been improved through clickable mood messages and new wallpapers allowing users to customise Skype to suit their personality.

Skype has just laid down the gauntlet to all its competitors, including the instant messaging programs from Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, AOL and others, which will no doubt prompt them all to follow the Skype leader in introducing similar features of their own.

And as you read this… the whole world will be talking about, with millions quite possibly through, Skype latest 3.0 beta. Download it now and try it out for yourself!

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