Updated Skype has posted version 1.5 of its VoIP client for Mac OS X. It's a pre-release test version and while Skype said the software was now even more Mac friendly than before, the OS X incarnation is still lagging some way behind the Windows release.

Available here, the update sports a "simplified", Mac-specific user interface, a Spotlight-style contact search system and improved integration with Mac OS X's Address Book and Microsoft's Entourage. You can also show your online status on the web.

Alas, there's still no webcam support, something that's been available in the Windows version since release 2.0. Skype for Windows is currently at version 2.5.

The Mac version is a Universal binary.

Update

Top marks to Reg Hardware readers Frank and Jol who quickly pointed out that there is a version of Skype 1.5 for Mac with video conferencing. The snag: you have to get it separately. It's also a (fractionally) older version: 1.5.0.47 to the official 1.5 beta's 1.5.0.48. Hopefully, Skype will combine the two shortly. Until then, the video version can be found here. ®

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