Skype 4.2 for Linux has been released today and it includes various bug fixes, increased stability when using a Microsoft Account, optimized Voice messaging as well as some minor new features.
Changes in the latest Skype 4.2 for Linux:
- add subscription status and link to the account brief view in the main window;
- increased the stability when logging in from a Microsoft Account;
- add a button to enable voice message from the options dialog;
- you no longer have to re-type your password when entering via "My Account" if you are already logged-in with the client;
- when sharing the screen in a multiple monitor setup, share the one where the call window is at the moment;
- add Messenger predefined group when logged-in with your MSA account;
- create an entry point to hold a conference call from the conversations view;
- new sizes for the Skype icon.
Among the bugs fixed in this release are:
- artifacts in the contact list after changing topic or picture in a multichat;
- searching in the chat window when ‘Ignore poster names’ is set might lead to client crash;
- Skype crashes on attempting to stop sharing selection being in a call on hold
- disabling Birthday notification doesn’t work;
- clicking on certain contact request notifications lead always to the wrong contact request against ‘live’ contact;
- call hold overlay icon goes away giving the idea the call is resumed when is not;
- do not show the login window if autologin plus start Skype minimized are enabled;
- do not allow more than 256-length conversation’s topic;
- more.
Although the official announcement doesn't mention this, I've also noticed in my test that the new version comes with a fix (or at least on my system, tested with Bumblebee/Nvidia Optimus) for the bug that caused it not to start in Ubuntu 13.04 with some proprietary graphics drivers. The version available in the Ubuntu 13.04 repositories has received a workaround for this, but a real fix is should now be available with Skype 4.2.
Download Skype 4.2 for Linux
Ubuntu: if you've installed Skype from the official Ubuntu repositories, you'll firstly have to remove it:
sudo apt-get remove skype skype-bin
Then install the Skype deb downloaded from its website, either using Ubuntu Software Center, Gdebi or via command line (assuming you've copied the deb in your home folder):
cd
sudo dpkg -i skype*.deb
If the tray / appindicator Skype icon is missing, make sure sni-qt is installed:
- 32bit:
sudo apt-get install sni-qt
- 64bit:sudo apt-get install sni-qt sni-qt:i386
Also, on Debian / Ubuntu 64bit, if you experience audio instability issues, also install the following package:
sudo apt-get install libasound2-plugins:i386