The new version uses WebRTC, which, the Microsoft announcement says, ensures that development of the Linux client can continue.
The announcement said it would be a much faster client than the one used by Linux users right now. Both .debs and rpms are available for download.
The company is hosting a Q and A at midnight Australian eastern time for Skype users on Linux to ask questions about the new client.
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Microsoft is seeking feedback from users to improve the Skype client of Linux and invites feedback from all and sundry.
The company also said that one need not depend on a standalone client for any operating system to use Skype and could use the Web version instead.
"A couple of months ago, we announced plugin free calling using ORTC on Skype for Web, Outlook and Office Web apps using Microsoft Edge. ORTC makes it possible to make free voice and video calls on Skype without needing to download an app or browser plug in – so it’s really easy to get started on Skype," it said.
"Today, anyone using a Chromebook or Chrome on Linux can now visit web.skype.com and make one-to-one and group voice calls on top of the messaging features they get today. This again is an alpha version of Skype based on WebRTC and inherits the same features of the Alpha version of the Skype for Linux client. This is our initial step on our path to replicate ORTC capabilities beyond Microsoft Edge."
