Skype 4.2 For Linux Released With Minor Improvements And Bug Fixes

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

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