What do users want the most from Skype?

The Public Mind customer response and feature request system has been collecting thousands of votes for what it looks like an hit parade of Skype most wanted features.

a vintage splash screen from the original Skype version 0.91

I indeed share many of the requests and feature wishes expressed by many Skype users, though obviously, my own ones may not always match what others would consider really important ones.

In this light consider the following a power-user list and one particularly slanted to support those who like me, want the tool to be easier, friendlier and to allow wider uses and applications.

Too bad that none of the requests so far covers Skype performance and reliability issues, as, deep in my heart, that remains Skype major limitation so far.
In any case, here is my own, very personal selection, of what I think are the top twenty features that Skype should be adding first (in parentheses the actual number of requests from Skype users, recorded by the Public Mind system):

1) Sub-directories/Groups in the Contacts list (114)
This is the ability to group together contacts according to user preferences and individually-defined folders. Presently all Skype contacts resides in one ungrouped big list.

2) Call Skype from a regular phone (257)
Ability to assign a unique phone number identifier to each Skype account as to mae it possible to dial into any Skype account from a normal phone.

3) SMS from/to Skype (185)
Sending and receiving standard SMS messages from/to Skype.

4) Store Skype Contacts list remotely (270)
Ability to optionally save Skype contact list remotely as to allow easy access to contacts from any computer connected to the Internet.

5) Record calls in MP3 (268)
Functionality allowing transparent recording of audio calls in Skype. Should require authorization and approval from all participants beign recorded.

6) Voicemail (556)
Ability to send pre-recorded short voice messages to any Skype account.

7) Webcam support (940)
Support for use of video during calls.

8) Display contact's time zone (110)
Ability to automatically see time zone of those one is conversing with inside Skype.

9) Multiple Skype lines (47)
Support for multiple Skype lines allowing multiple separate calls to be handled efficiently.

10) Alerts (93)
Integration of visual and sound alerts informing the user of when specific Skype contacts come online/become available.

11) Privacy presence status control customizable to each contact/group (19)
Ability to customize one's own presence status and visibility in different ways for different people and groups. One may want for example to appear as available to friends but not to work colleagues on a holiday.

12) Shared web browsing during a call (48)
Ability to co-browse any specified URL during a Skype call.

13) Conference Chat feature (45)
Ability to have a chat that includes multiple people in it.

14) Easily accessible volume controls (50)
Direct and easy access to audio volume controls while using Skype.

15) Pay for SkypeOut using PayPal (185 requests)
Support for PayPal as a vehicle to pay for SkypeOut. Only major credit cards are supported now.
16) Real-time call cost counter (106)
Real-time display of the remaining available "charge" for SkypeOut calls, as to allow the end user to anticipate overunning available funds during a call.

17) To know when a contact is already engaged in a call (143)
Facility allowing Skype users to see when another contact is already engaged in a call. This is not possible right now and it is easy to be ringing someone already engaged in a call.

18) Push-to-talk functionality (39)
Feature allowing optional activation of push-to-talk feature which permits more moderated exchanges and the ability not to ever talk over each other.

19) Skins (54)
Support for multiple interface skins that can be changed at will by the end user. Different skins should be designed to enhance and facilitate specific application and uses.

20) Skype access from Trillian/GAIM (221)
Interation of the Skype IM protocol into multi-protocol instant messaging systems like Trillian or GAIM. These are increasingly popular free/low-cost instant messengers that connect to all major IM networks simultaneously. By doing this, these multi-protocol IMs allow end users not to have multiple IMs to connect to all of their online contacts. Integration of the Skype protocol into any of these IM systems would be a welcome addition.

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