Jeremy and I have traded waxmails back and forth, and even done a podcast months ago, so I was a little surprised when he emailed last week to let me know Skylook 1.5 was out. I didn't even know Skylook 1.5 was due anytime soon. Well, I've been enjoying the freeware version for the last week and I'm reasonably impressed.

I want to describe to you some of the new features in a way you can appreciate. I mean, yes I know you can read my earlier post listing all the cool new features in a pretty bulleted list, but in order for you to realize it's usefulness I thought I'd take you through a typical use of Skylook (free version).

I roll out of the bed, pick up the laptop, and begin to blog. But, soon after, I have a question for a fellow blogger and must call him to get the immediate scoop. However, since I've forgotten his Skype name, it would normally be a hassle to look him up, especially if this is the first time I've called him. Of course, I could search by his name, but there's a good chance there are others with his common name. Now, with Skylook I can click on his name in Outlook and it will auto-dial him straight from the Outlook client.

Now, if I'm so inclined, I can record these calls automatically, just in case I forget some details, and the mp3 will file into it's own "Skylook Conversations" folder in Outlook.

I can't tell you how useful that feature is, alone. However, that one is only available in the paid version, so if you want that ability, you will have to upgrade once your free trial is over.

Now, in addition to those cool features that were in the original version, I can also monitor my Skype voicemails in Outlook, file them in Outlook, and even have my missed calls, missed voicemails, and missed IMs in my Outlook inbox. and, all this is available WITHOUT a Skype voicemail subscription.

Skylook's paid version is pretty darn reasonable, so it's not a big expenditure at all to upgrade. Check out Skylook 1.5 at their site at skylook.biz.