• On TechRepublic: Five super-secret features in Windows 7
December 14, 2006 6:00 PM PST

Skype 3 (still free)

by Felisa Yang
(Credit: Felisa Yang)

Skype 3 rolled out today without a lot of fanfare. That's fitting as it brings some nifty-sounding new features, but none of them are earth-shattering. The first is a new tab on the Skype dashboard called "Live" that incorporates Skypecasts right into the main window. Here, you can join public discussions and conversations in progress, or start your own. If none of the conversations strikes your fancy, browse the directory to see if there's anything for you there.

The other big addition is the new Do More option under the Tools menu. Here, you'll find a number of add-ons that are entertaining, but not central to the point of Skype. You can invite contacts to join you in a rousing game of Chinese checkers or backgammon. Or you can share a virtual whiteboard with a pal and doodle while you gab. There's even a feature called the KishKish Lie Detector that purports to analyze voice stress--so if you have something to hide, maybe you should have that conversation on a regular phone instead.

We haven't had a chance to really dig into these new features yet, but we're working on it, so check back soon for a full review of Skype 3.

Recent posts from Crave
I wear my suncontacts at night
Fireplace doubles as pizza oven
Wi-Fi Body Scale Twitters your weight daily
Sponge absorbs 180 times its weight (in toxic sludge)
Prizefight: Motorola Droid vs. iPhone 3GS
Accessories for the iPod Touch
Beware the Blue Yeti
Smartphone users, keep complaining
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by elieah August 17, 2008 10:37 AM PDT
no comment
Reply to this comment
by elieah August 17, 2008 10:37 AM PDT
no comment
Reply to this comment
by elieah August 17, 2008 10:45 AM PDT
hf ufy f hc uf
Reply to this comment
(3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

After 5 years, Firefox faces new challenges

Mozilla helped reshape the Web since releasing Firefox 1.0 five years ago. Now it's got a reawakened Microsoft and Google Chrome to reckon with.

There's a map for that: GPS or smartphone?

Almost every handset comes with mapping software these days, but standalone GPS devices are becoming more affordable than ever.