New Skype version released for Linux

Skype for Linux 1.4 is finally out the door, it has many improvements over version 1.3, and significantly it now comes embodied in a new Mac-like interface.

This version features two important additions, Call Forwarding and Birthday Reminders. The first will allow you to receive your Skype calls when you're not working on your PC, by forwarding them to other devices ( example: Cellphones ) . The second is simply a nice little feature that reminds you of your buddies' birthdays.

But the major overhaul isn't lying in the features, but in the interface, which had been completely redesigned to be easier to use, and simpler. It now strongly resembles Skype for Macintosh, and I think this is a good thing, because the interface is now VERY easy to work with, in fact it's now easier on both Linux and Macintosh than on Windows. Here's a comparison, you can see that the Mac and Linux interfaces are very simple and easy to use, but the Windows one is kind of bulky and complicated.


Could the Skype developers have intentionally made the Linux/Macintosh applications more intuitive ? Maybe their goal is to have a unified front-end for all major UNIX® systems ? Cause you know both Linux and Macintosh are UNIX deep inside.

Anyway, this is a good improvement to the Skype for Linux project, and it's a good release that coincide with the Ubuntu Gutsy release of October 18th.