Skype 5.2 for Mac adds group screen sharing and new video controls

Skype has today released an update for the Mac version popular voice calling application, launching Skype 5.2 for Mac with group screen sharing functionality and new call control features during calls.

TechCrunch spotted the update, which follows the release of Skype 5.5 for Windows, which incorporated deeper Facebook integration. Skype 5.2 for Mac also allows callers to “control calls whilst [they] mulitask” – providing a mini call window to manage call options and open new files – features that you may have seen in some of the beta releases.

Unfortunately, Skype has made its screen sharing features available only to Skype Premium members, starting at $4.49 per month. Those interested can grab a seven-day free trial here.

The application itself hasn’t received much of a visual refresh; some of the icons have been adapted and a user’s Address Book is loaded within the main window instead of the sidebar. A new “History” option in the sidebar shows you your last Skype chats at-a-glance, reducing the need for additional button presses and navigating across different menus.

We tried to download the update via the “Check for Updates” option but it downloaded an updated version of Skype 5.1. So to grab the very latest update, head over to the official Skype 5.2 for Mac webpage and download it there.