I've been quiet on Skype. A different beta was just released on the forum. Try this link. forum.skype.com :: View topic - 0.98.28 For those interested in how the dial feature will be implemented download it now.

SkypeOut's presence format challenges all traditional softphones designs that are dialer centric. FireFly is another good example of a buddylist focused execution. It works okay however like most of these softphones it doesn't match Skype connection quality.

Plain Ugly! That's about all I can say for the new Skype emoticons on this version. Graphically the rather fat lines seem heavy handed. They should take a look at the Yahoo ones and get them re rendered.