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Skype 5 for Mac intentionally blocks Flash and other programs from using your webcam
It seems that Skype 5 for Mac, by design, blocks any other application from using your webcam while it's installed. A commenter on the bug report suggests that it also affects Windows machines, but we were unable to replicate the bug with Windows 7.The crazy thing is that you have to uninstall Skype 5 before using your webcam with other programs, including Flash applets on websites. It almost makes sense that Skype would reserve your webcam when it's running -- but even when it isn't? As the commenters on Hacker News note, the Skype for Mac support forum isn't the happiest place on the interwebs at the moment.
To top things off, Skype has known about the issue since the Skype 5 for Mac beta in November. Skype developer Beom Soo Park even admits that it's a feature, not a bug. There's no explanation for the very, very odd functionality, and no ETA for a fix.
[Just as this post published, the Skype bug tracker has gone offline. Hopefully it's just temporary.]
Comments
10
Subscribe to commentsFFJan 31st 2011 8:51AM
Can't confirm this - I have Skype 5.0.0.7980 running at the moment on my MBP, and as long I'm not actively in a video chat in Skype I still can use FaceTime and Photobooth without a problem.
Sebastian AnthonyJan 31st 2011 8:57AM
@FF The whole 'must uninstall' thing DOES sound really dubious, I have to admit.
Hopefully some other commenters that use Mac OS X can provide some more evidence for or against :)
KelseyFeb 1st 2011 12:45PM
@FF note that the article is referring to webcam access by the Flash player plugin. Not other apps that use your webcam.
Peter Parkes (Skype Blogger)Jan 31st 2011 9:41AM
I can confirm that this is a bug, and not by design – we’re working to fix it and hope to correct the problem in a future version of Skype for Mac. Sorry for the disruption in the meantime.
Sebastian AnthonyJan 31st 2011 9:46AM
@Peter Parkes (Skype Blogger) Thanks for stopping by :)
Why does the developer assigned to the bug say it's working as intended...?
JennJan 31st 2011 9:47AM
i do not mind that it takes over flash plug-ins. At least there will be no camera hijacking from other web sites ;)
RobFeb 1st 2011 6:46AM
@Jenn Flash can't hijack your webcam. You need to explicitly give it permission.
EliasJan 31st 2011 3:54PM
I'm using a MBP, Snow Leopard, and skype 5.0.0.7980, and have had no issues. Like the first poster, if I'm not actually in a video chat, there are no issues.
KelseyFeb 1st 2011 12:52PM
Oh wait a minute... I'm wrong. It DOES say other apps :P
Although, I've tested Photo Booth and Chatroulette and neither seem to have an issue.
Sebastian AnthonyFeb 1st 2011 12:56PM
@Kelsey It definitely looks like the problem isn't unilateral -- so who knows what's going on, really :)