Skype, makers of free telephony software popular with podcasters for recording phone calls, has released the beta version Skype for Mac 2.0. The new version gives any Mac user with an Internet connection the ability to make free video calls to anyone else on Skype, regardless of whether they use the Windows or Mac platform.

Skype’s new cross platform support means that the international community of more than 113 million users can make free video calls to people across the globe.

Mac users can use Skype 2.0 for one-on-one video calls, viewed within the Skype window or on the full computer screen. Skype video for Mac also includes a small window for users to view how they appear to the person they are calling.

Unfortunately, Skype still hasn’t added the feature that podcasters need the most, the ability to record calls.

“Skype’s goal is to make Internet calling streamlined and simple for everyone by providing innovative features and an intuitive design,” said Stefan Öberg, director of product management for Skype. “Our community is made up of both Mac and Windows users.”

To make video calls, Skype for Mac OS X 2.0 requires a Macintosh computer with Mac OS X v10.3.9 Panther or newer, a G4, G5, or Intel processor running at a minimum of 800 MHz, 512 MB RAM, 40 MB free disk space, and an Internet connection.

In addition to the release of Skype for Mac OS X 2.0, Skype announced today the release of Skype for Mac OS X 1.5 Gold.