New Skype client for Linux has been released (+ web client)

The Skype client for Linux has not been developed for a long time and is stuck on version 4.3.0.37, released in June 2014 . For comparison, under Windows the client is constantly updated and has already reached version 7.24. But Microsoft didn’t forget about Linux users, so meet the new Skype for Linux Alpha .

Download Skype for Linux Alpha DEB
Download Skype for Linux Alpha RPM


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In fact, the new client is released in two versions. In addition to the application for Linux, Skype is also a web client . It works on the WebRTC technology from any operating system, through a browser, without plug-ins (like Appear.in , Talky , Room - they all use the standard WebRTC, unlike Google Hangouts, which still requires the installation of the plug-in in Firefox). In fact, the Skype Skype application is just a shell for the web client.

In theory, this client is made for Chromebooks under Chrome OS, but in reality, the new web client works more conveniently and faster than even the existing native Windows application. And for a mobile phone it is almost perfect.

At the moment there are certain limitations. Microsoft is upgrading its network infrastructure, so that a new Linux client can only make voice calls, but not video. In addition, communication with users on older versions of the client is not supported. Calls to mobile and landline phones do not work.



However, this is the alpha version, so everything is fine.

As stated in the official message on the Skype forum, the alpha version for Linux and the web version are based on the same WebRTC code. It can be assumed that Microsoft will no longer delay with the release of new versions under Linux, they will be updated simultaneously with the web client, and the latter will not be able to be abandoned by Microsoft, this is too important an application.

The web client is guaranteed to work in the Chrome browser, there may be difficulties with other browsers, because everyone supports WebRTC differently . However, from a subjective point of view, the Skype web client in Firefox 47 works even better than in Chrome 51: it seems that it loads faster and lags less.



Microsoft Edge is the only browser that supports ORTC from a set of WebRTC technologies, and Skype voice chat there has worked without plug-ins before . Now they appear in Chrome and Firefox.