Skype, released a new beta version of its internet telephony software. Skype 3.0 has a revamped interface as well as new features like public chats, Skypecasting, click-to-call functionality, and I.T. management features,.

Now let's talk about these new features a little more indepth.

Public chats, allows webmasters to host ongoing text messaging conversations and integrate them with an existing website.

Skypecasting, makes it possible for users to browse and join community discussions via a new "live" window allowing for up to 100 people to talk to each other simutaniously in a live moderated voice conversation. (I wish we had something similar to this back in the day, when I played Everquest it would have been great for in game raids.)

Click-to-Call function allows users to click on any phone number listed on a web page to launch a Skype call.

I.T. management features, Skype CEO Niklas Zennstrom said, "that additions to the service will help companies move beyond their dependence on traditional communications revenue." The I.T. capabilities will let network administrators remotely manage Skype deployments among their end users.

Currently, Skype has over 136 million registered users in 200 countries and adds around 250,000 users every day. Skype is also expected to generate $195 million in revenue in 2006.