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Skype launched Version 1.4 of its VOIP software for the Windows platform on Friday, adding call forwarding and the ability to add customized ring tones.
The new service entered beta testing in August. Like earlier versions, the service is free, although users will pay for the premium services, such as calls made to landline phones and mobiles.
Skype, which rose to international prominence through its multibillion-dollar agreement to be acquired by auction site eBay, has grown its subscription base to 56 million people and 170,000 new subscriptions per day. The new software does not provide any integration with eBay, however.
“We are passionate about really understanding what motivates people want to make Internet communications a part of their everyday lives, and listening to our callers about what they want from Skype allows us to stay ahead of the game,” Niklas Zennström, chief executive and co-founder of Skype, said in a statement.
“Today, we are thrilled to be delivering on this promise by offering a new version of Skype, which both new and existing callers will find adds powerful and innovative new features like call forwarding and personalization, as well as offering our best-ever sound quality on our simplest product to install and use.”