Howto install Skype 2.1 beta in Ubuntu

A new beta version of Skype for Linux has been released and includes a slew of new features that Linux users have been waiting for a long time. There are also a few tweaks and UI changes that will make using Skype on Linux a better overall experience for anyone who uses this popular client to make calls via their computer.

Here's a list of all the new features and some of the improvements you'll find in Skype version 2.1.0.47 for Linux:

Features
    * High Quality Video support.
    * Skype's SILK audio codec.
    * Pulse Audio support
    * SMS sending support.
    * Chat messages editing/removing support.
    * Typing notification in chat.
    * Chat picture support (add/change/remove) for group conversations.
    * Mood messages are visible in contact list and tooltip.
    * Video/Mobile icons are visible in contact list.
    * Bookmarked Chats are visible in contact list.
    * Contact labels/tags.

Improvements:
    * Right-clicking on the user name in the chat will open contact menu.
    improvement: A day divider is added to the chat. Timestamps are shorter for old messages.
    * Clickable links in mood message.
    * Enlarged tray icon, also showing number of missed events.
    * Flag button is replaced by button showing number of missed events.
    * Updated ALSA device detection, nicer to USB headsets.

Install Skype 2.1 beta in Ubuntu
First you need to remove the existing version of skype using the following command

    sudo apt-get autoremove skype skype-common

Download .deb package from here and install the downloaded package using the following command

    sudo dpkg -i skype-ubuntu-intrepid_2.1.0.47-1_i386.deb