Skype 4.0 for Windows has been launched, featuring full-screen video calling, enhanced sound quality altogether with an improved user interface.

I don't know if you like rainbows - anyways this is what you will get to see when starting Skype 4:



“It's now easier to start a video call and experience full-screen video, which makes conversations more intimate and engaging,” states Skype in the official announcement. “The new audio codec achieves wideband audio quality using 50% less bandwidth than previously required.”

Have a look at the slightly refreshed Contact list and text chat windows:



Download Skype 4.0 for Windows
Visit the Skype website


You can scan your Messenger/Hotmail contacts if any of them have Skype, and invite them into your Skype contact list... Here is how it works:

1. You need:
   • A Messenger account / Windows Live ID
   • A Skype account
   • Microsoft Outlook installed
     (Sorry, I don't know a way without Outlook. Ahh, you know one? Share it with me and other readers - post it as comment!)
2. Sign into Messenger.
   
3. In the contact list, click the icon, and choose “Contacts”, “Save instant messaging contacts...”.
4. Save the *.ctt file on your Hard Disk, e.g. on your desktop.
5. Now browse the .ctt to .csv conversion tool, and upload your *.ctt file there.
   (Don't worry, they won't steal your contacts off the file, unlike some other web services.)
6. Save the contacts.csv file back on your desktop.
7. Open Microsoft Outlook, and click “File”, “Import/Export”.
8. Choose “Import from other programs/files”, and click “Next”.
9. Choose “Comma-separated values (Windows)” in the list, and click “Next”.
   Tip: You don't see the CSV option? Customize your Outlook installation and install the feature ;)
10. Click the “Browse...” button and hit your contacts.csv. Oh, and choose the option “Do not import duplicate items”. Then click “Next”.
11. Choose the folder “Contacts”, and click “Next” again.
12. Check the checkbox before the item “Import contacts.csv into the folder: Contacts”, and press “Assign fields”.
13. In the right column, scroll down and find “E-mail”. Open it, and drag the item “E-mail Address” from the left box onto the appearing item “E-mail address” in the right box. Right of the item in the right box, the assigned value “E-mail Address” should appear.
14. Press “OK”, then “Finish”.
15. Wonderful! First part is done, you got your Windows Live contacts in Outlook.
    
    Now we are going to let Skype search through them and find anybody of them using Skype.
16. So, please open Skype, and sign in.
17. In Skype's main window, click “Contacts”, “Import Contacts...”.
18. Check the checkbox in front of “Microsoft Outlook”, and click “Search email contacts”.
19. Now - wait! Go, drink a coffee or take some fresh air at your window, the scan process might take a while.
20. In the end, check the Skype users you want to invite to your contact list, and confirm.
21. Finally, enter a short message. They will see the message after their sign-in, when they decide whether to accept or deny your request.
    
    That's it - you're done! (And you really thought the how-to was literally endless?)

Worked for you? Or got problems? Feel free to ask us!