Skype announced today that it will release a software upgrade in November (v.3.6) that allows users to chat using "high quality" video with a few select webcams. The new video calling standard will be 640x480 pixels (as opposed to 320x240). And at fastest broadband speeds, the video will stream at 30 frames per second as opposed to the 15 that you can get now. The company also promises that Skyping with video will now be four times sharper and twice as smooth as it was before. The upgrade is free, and computer-to-computer conversations will remain free with the higher quality video.

Unfortunately, the new software won't be available for Macs. And for PCs, it is only designed to work with three Logitech webcams that are already on the market: the QuickCam Pro 9000, QuickCam Pro for Notebooks, and the QuickCam Orbit AF. The cameras range from $99-$129, and if you own one already you can download a software upgrade that will help compress images for the new system.

Companies these days are putting a lot of stock into VoIP systems with video. We just hope that Skype's network can handle the extra data. — S.E. Kramer

via Skype/Logitech Press Release