Skype, who was only recently acquired by eBay, announced today it is adding high-resolution picture phone features to its free telephone replacement service.

Version 2.0 of the Skype software aims to make it easier for customers to sign up and use its phone-over-Internet services, which are free on computers and offer low per-minute charges when calling conventional phones.

I’ve been back using Skype myself recently, trying out their conference call features which, even on Eircom’s low u/s, works pretty good. The video function will no doubt finally bring about a use for those web cams so many people have knocking about their computer desks gathering dust.

In addition, Six Apart, one of the top makers of Web blog software based in San Francisco, has agreed to embed links to Skype as an option for millions of users of Six Apart’s Typepad blog service, the two companies said.

The beta version of Skype 2.0 is now available, keeping in mind that its still beta, but their is a “shiny” new version on the way 😀