Skype is looking to expand its mobile offerings and is opening up a public beta for its mobile software. You don’t need a computer to make free calls anymore. Use 3 Skypephone instead. It’s a stylish mobile phone that calls, texts and takes pictures like you’d expect it to – but wait, there’s more – you can call and instant message your friends on Skype, free. About 50 different phone models are compatible with the Java-based software. It allows users to chat, show their online presence, and receive both calls from other users as well as through SkypeIn. Mobile operator 3 during that time brought Skype to the mobile, however it was not true VoIP as it is commonly found. Instead, the voice signals flowed through a separate voice channel on the company's network. During the beta, the company will use consumer feedback to adjust the product to meet the needs of its users. Users in several markets also get additional features, including the placing of SkypeOut and Skype-to-Skype calls. Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom will all have markets that gain those additional features. The beta is expected to last several months. "We need to hear what delights them and where there is still work to be done," mobile chief Gareth O'Loughlin said of the beta. "This product underscores our commitment to innovation and to putting Skype conversations in the pockets of today's mobile masses."
The company had been distancing itself from mobile Skype due to handset and technical issues for some time. However it now appears those hurdles have been overcome, and the VoIP software is ready for prime time on mobile devices.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Skype is now mobile. Calling your world is free.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Skype 2.7 for Mac beta integrates Address Book contacts
We know that many of you are faithful Skype users, and many of you are also masochistic beta software users. With your powers combined... Well anyway, those of you who cross over into both groups might be happy to know that Skype 2.7 for Mac beta just came out today. With it comes, as usual, a handful of useful features that make it easier and more pleasurable to use the VoIP software on your desktop.
According to Skype's Villu Arak, the 2.7 beta allows you to organize contacts into groups—no longer will you have one giant list that sticks your mother right next to that "adult chat" line you've been calling at night. There are a few predefined groups already, but you can add however many new ones that make sense to you, like Family, Friends, Work, etc.
More notably, however, is Skype's ability to use the contacts listed in your Mac's Address Book. This should prove especially useful to people who use their Address Book as the main place to organize all of their daily contacts, freeing them (you? us?) from having to maintain multiple contact lists in multiple applications.
A few less-exciting features added to this latest beta include the ability to create public chats, auto-redial capabilities for when you are trying to dial a busy line, and easier sound-level controls. The Skype team has also "overhauled" the file transfer functionalities, which the team says should appear "more elegant" and behave more smoothly.
As usual, beware of beta software, yada yada yada. You can get the 2.7 beta from Skype's website and it weighs in at 31.8MB.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Get Skype On Your iPhone
Do you want Skype on your iPhone? Well, you're in luck. Shape Services has launched a version of Skype for the iPhone, no hacking required.
Shape Services' Skype client is Web based so you can use it on your iPhone without the need for a hack. Otherwise, though, it works just like Skype. You can use Skype chat, make peer-to-peer VoIP calls, and even use SkypeOut to call regular phone numbers.
Well, almost. There is one drawback. You have to pay for all the calls you make, even the Skype-to-Skype connections which are normally free:
There is a catch, though. Unlike PC based calls, you'll need to pay even if calling another Skype user: IM+ places the free VoIP call as usual, but then calls you back on your iPhone at SkypeOut rates. Still, if you are making calls abroad, it'll be a lot cheaper, and the service is free while in beta testing.
Aside from having to pay for the Skype calls, this looks pretty cool. It also demonstrates that the iPhone, unlike most smartphones, is ready for desktop-style Web-based applications.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Simicomm Releases Beta of 15 Minute VoIP System
MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Born to remove the complexity of VoIP solutions, Simicomm™ today announced EasySpeak PBX, a software-based phone management system. This complete plug-and-play VoIP PBX provides a low-cost alternative to small to medium businesses. The EasySpeak software can be completely installed, including fully automated phone configuration, in only 15 minutes!
The solution is designed for enterprises without the technical abilities to implement or maintain phone systems. It provides resellers with a low cost, reliable solution for companies looking to migrate slowly into a VoIP infrastructure. Based on the Asterisk® open source PBX, EasySpeak works with both VoIP and analog phones. A novice-tested, web-based toolbox enables simple configuration and management.
“We recognize there are many solutions targeting small businesses,” noted Dennis Barnum, CEO of Simicomm. “Our goal was to create something that removes the complexity for a non-technical audience and make it affordable.”
EasySpeak PBX (300 MB file) is downloaded from www.simicomm.com, and burned to a CD. The CD is loaded onto a (dedicated) server, which will run through the installation steps automatically. Just plug the phones and Internet into the Ethernet ports (1 and 0 respectively) and you’re ready to go. To use analog phones, a line card (i.e. Digium® analog telephony devices) is required. Telephones will automatically register and be assigned extensions in the order they are connected. Changing of extensions and management of other features can be made by logging into the web-based toolbox.
EasySpeak PBX contains the features of the high-end solutions, including: Auto Attendant, Web Access to Voicemail, Music-on-Hold, Blind Transfer, T-38 Fax support, Call Forward/Forward on Busy, Call Parking, Call Queuing, Call Routing (DID & ANI), Call Transfer, Call Waiting, Caller ID, Caller ID Blocking, Caller ID on Call Waiting, Roaming Extensions, Assisted Transfer, Three-way Calling and high-end Voicemail functionality.
A free 14-day trial of EasySpeak is available through www.simicomm.com for a limited time.