Skype Beta: Phoning and Sharing Desktops
Skype has released a beta version of its chat and VoIP program for Linux under the code-name Talking Screens. Despite the minor version number change, the software has many new features.
The newest Skype for Linux 2.1 beta 2 includes screen sharing, support for UI styles, and IM quoting, as beta project manager Raul Liive reports in the Skype blog. Other features include localized time formats and spam abuse reporting. A few issues cropped up on 64-bit systems with older libraries, with available workarounds reported in the Skype Developer Zone.
First impressions: thanks to the new UI styles Skype now practically supports Qt decorations natively, although Oxygen styles can lead to graphics problems (broken symbols and reduced text box sizes), depending on the setup; however, QtCurve was error-free on a KDE4 desktop.
The IM quoting function is cute but a bit awkward – it requires marking the text and then having to select an item from the menu. However, the screen sharing function does work well and is useful especially for those needing Linux support from time to time. The screen-sharing function is only available during calls and shows up at the bottom of the call window. It works equally well with Linux, Mac, and Windows clients. The function appears only in the context menu of the call window.
As usual, Skype provides precompiled packages for Debian, Fedora, openSUSE, and Ubuntu, and static binary downloads for all other distros. The actual beta2 version numbering is 2.1.0.81, with the release notes at Skype.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
KDE Unleashes Plasma 6.5
The Plasma 6.5 desktop environment is now available with new features, improvements, and the usual bug fixes.
-
Xubuntu Site Possibly Hacked
It appears that the Xubuntu site was hacked and briefly served up a malicious ZIP file from its download page.
-
LMDE 7 Now Available
Linux Mint Debian Edition, version 7, has been officially released and is based on upstream Debian.
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Reaches EOL
Linux kernel 6.16 has reached its end of life, which means you'll need to upgrade to the next stable release, Linux kernel 6.17.
-
Amazon Ditches Android for a Linux-Based OS
Amazon has migrated from Android to the Linux-based Vega OS for its Fire TV.
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.