Skype for Linux received an update to version 5.4 earlier this week. While the release is still in beta, it comes with quite a big update. Microsoft announced that the update brings group video calling, but that support for the feature is still experimental, and that they’d like feedback on the new feature.
The change log for the release reads as follows:
- Enabled the Group video calling
- Updated to Electron 1.7.4 for performance and security improvements
- Fixed the Skype Update respository keys
- Bugfixes and improvements
Microsoft has been working on this new version of Skype for Linux for some time now, and is steadily bringing it up to feature parity with its Windows and macOS versions, although, it is still a way off this goal. On July 1st, the old Skype client for Linux was retired meaning users had to switch to the beta client which lacks some features of the older version. Due to the incompleteness of the new Skype version, the old client’s end-of-life date was pushed back from March 1st.
Have you tried the new client yet, what are your experiences with it? Does it do everything you need it to do in a stable manner?
Source: Microsoft