Skype updates Windows and Mac apps adding eGifting, other fixes

Skype has updated its Windows and Mac applications bringing in the ability to send gift cards from within the apps. This means that users will be able to send Skype credit gift cards to other users, as well as customise the design, add a personal message and choose the amount. The app also notifies users of their contacts' birthdays and prompts them to send a card, in the chat window. The move appears to be in the direction of encouraging users to try premium features such as making phone calls (which are not free) with the app, through which the company earns money.

The Mac version also adds support for one way text messages (SMS) without the need to add and verify the user's number. The update also resolves some known issues such as Skype not responding when a user signs out of Facebook, among others.

The Windows version also brings in some user interface changes and the app now has a re-designed toolbar that brings together main actions in one place. Users of Skype's Windows app will now have central access to Home, Calling Phones, Creating Groups and Adding Contacts all placed above their contact list and recent conversations. The update also fixes some existing issues including the app removing the file extension when a user changed the name of the file received through Skype.

Just a week back, Skype had updated its iPhone and iPad apps bringing new features like automatic call recovery for dropped calls, and an improved user interface for the iPad.

Skype 6.2.0.106 for Windows: Download

Changes in comparison with previous release:
-New top toolbar with all major actions together in one place.
-Send eGift to friend who has a birthday
-Added option to send IM with ctrl+enter.
-Computers with Intel Pentium 3 or similar CPU's, which do not support SSE2 instructions, are not supported anymore.

Issues fixed:
-Profile country setting did not get saved
-Some fields in incoming contact requests were not accessible.
-Adding a contact window was misplaced on multi-monitor setup
-Changing received file name removed file extension.

Skype 6.2.0.1117 for Mac: Download

Changes in comparison with previous release:
-Send eGift to friend who has a birthday
-One-way SMS without verifying your mobile number

Issues fixed:
-Skype credit amount is now identical between Skype and account window
-Progress bar will disappear after completion when downloading multiple files selectively
-Skype quits normally with Audio/Video preferences open
-Skype does not hang when signing out with Facebook account
-Messenger contacts will not be displayed in Skype contact group
-Free users attempting to screen share while sending video, can now screen share immediately after pressing 'Continue with free call' button in Premium Upsell window.