Skype adds multi-call video for up to 10 users

Skype has announced that the newest version of its VoIP software can host group video calls of up to 10 people.

Peter Parkes, Skype's 'blogger-in-chief', said in a posting that the new service is designed to meet the growing needs of consumers and businesses for multi-connectivity irrespective of location.

Parkes explained that Skype had been working hard to resolve a number of issues that had dogged the beta service.

"We've made improvements to call quality when making group video calls, as well as fixed a number of bugs affecting stability, so your calling experience should be smoother than before," he said.

"This version also includes automatic call recovery, which should help reconnect Skype calls interrupted due to network problems. We've also made a number of other housekeeping fixes since the first beta."

However, Parkes stressed that Skype 5.0 is still in beta, and that the "odd bug" may still be present.

He also explained that the new version had been overhauled to look better, and that social-media style functions had been added.

"The new-look Skype is sleeker, neater and crisper than before, and we're proud of the work our interface designers have done to refine and mature the interface for this version," he said.

"We've also added Skype Home, where you can follow your contacts' mood messages, set your profile picture and mood message, receive account notifications and learn more about using Skype."

Skype will be hoping that the new features keep users loyal, after Google waded into the VoIP space last week by adding call functionality to Gmail.