Skype has announced a fresh update to its Mac client, v5.1. The update adds the ability to dial recent numbers from the dialpad, speeding up some calls. During conference calls, the software now makes it easier to identify the active speaker.
Listings for contact groups have been rearranged to create more space in the sidebar. Other changes include a Call Quality Feedback reporting tool, and several bugfixes. Among these is a problem with detecting iSight cameras hooked up via FireWire.
The update is a free download. Skype has started up a contest to help create custom styles for the chat window. The grand prize winner will get a MacBook Air, an iPad 2 and a year of Unlimited World Extra service, as well as their style included in a future version of Skype. The chat window’s design has been widely criticized since Skype 5 first emerged.
Known Issues:
| Category | Description | Workaround |
| Sharing | Screen sharing does not start after first use during call | Restart the call |
| Application | Occasional crash when repeatedly signing out when making a video call | None available at this time |
| Call | In Leopard, can not press number keys on keyboard to generate touch tones | Use buttons in dial pad (CMD + 2) |
| Contacts | Editing additional numbers on SkypeOut contacts is broken | None available at this time |
| Chat | Copy/paste of emoticons does not work | None available at this time |
