New Skype 5.0 Adds Group Video, Facebook

Thursday Skype released the latest version of its popular VoIP/IM client for Windows, revamping the overall interface and adding Facebook and group video calling support.

The Facebook support for Skype is minimal at best

The Facebook support for Skype is minimal at best. Users can sign on, update their status, and read the latest news feeds straight from the website. However Skype also now includes the Facebook Phonebook, allowing users to call and SMS their Facebook friends directly on their mobile phones and landlines. Users can also make free Skype-to-Skype calls to Facebook friends who are also using Skype.

The new client also introduces automatic call recovery which helps users reconnect calls that are interrupted due to Internet connection problems. There's even a new quality call manager that gauges audio and video quality and offers guidance in resolving problems.