Skype for Mac Gets Support for HD Calling & OS X Lion

by Christina Warren

Skype has just released a big update to its Mac application, adding official support for Mac OS X Lion and HD calling.

With Skype 5.3, Mac users can finally enjoy the HD calling feature that PC users have had for quite some time.

To take advantage of the feature, users will need to use one of the FaceTime HD camera built-in to newer iMac and MacBook Pro machines or use an external HD camera like the Logitech C910. Skype recommends that users have an upload/download rate of 1.5Mbps for HD calls.

The new version of the app is also fully compatible with Mac OS X Lion. If you haven’t upgrade to Lion, Skype 5.3 still works with Mac OS X versions going back to Mac OS X Leopard.

Skype has been on a tear in recent weeks, releasing an official Skype for iPad app and upping the number ofsupported Android devices.

OS X Lion Downloads Top 1 Million in 24 Hours

Mac OS X Lion has been downloaded more than one million times in its first day of release. Lion is the first Mac OS X release to be available exclusively through the Mac App Store.

According to Apple, OS X Lion is selling faster than any other OS release in Apple’s history. Available for just $29.99, Lion adds new features like multi-touch gesture support, auto-save and auto-resume features and updated performance and usability features under the hood.

It’s been a successful week for Apple. Not only did the company report record earnings, it also released updated versions of the MacBook Air, Mac mini and Apple Cinema Display.

For those that haven’t taken the upgrade plunge, be sure to check out our guides for preparing your Mac for Lion and doing a clean install.

OS X Lion Arrives in Mac App Store

 by Christina Warren

Mac OS X Lion is now available in the Mac App Store. Snow Leopard users can upgrade to the newest cat-named release [Mac App Store link] for $29.99.

Apple has opted to officially drop the Mac OS X moniker for Lion — it’s just OS X Lion.

OS X Lion boasts more than 250 new features and is being billed as taking the best parts from iOS and marrying it to the best parts of OS X. I’d have to agree with that too. I’ve been using Lion full-time since the final developer build was released a few weeks ago and I would have a hard time returning to the old Mac OS 10.6.

Before you go through the installation process, be sure to check out our guide on preparing your Mac for Lion.

We’ll have more information, galleries, reviews and installation tips throughout the day.

Apple To Launch Mac OS X Lion & New MacBook Air Wednesday [REPORT]

 by Stan Schroeder

Apple is preparing for the launch of the next version of its desktop operating system, Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, as well as a refreshed MacBook Air. We might see these new product in stores as early as Wednesday, AppleInsider reports quoting sources familiar with the matter.

The new MacBook Air, according to rumors, is expected to come with a 128 GB SSD, 4 GB of RAM, a backlit keyboard and Lion as the operating system.

Furthermore, MacRumors reports that Apple retail stores have received golden master copies of OS X Lion, which will be installed on Apple’s demo computers on the store floors. If true, it usually means that Apple is undergoing final preparations and the launch is imminent.

During this year’s WWDC keynote Apple announced that Lion is coming this July, without specifying a date. Instead of making the new OS available in physical stores, Apple opted to distribute it only via its Mac App Store.