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Skype

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Skype to Name New CEO

October 4, 2010

Obama Aims to Wiretap Skype, Facebook, Blackberry, the Entire Internet

September 27, 2010


Things just went from bad to downright scary under the Obama Administration. According to the StarTribune.com:

 

Essentially, officials want Congress to require all services that enable communications -- including encrypted e-mail transmitters such as BlackBerry, social networking websites such as Facebook and software that allows direct "peer-to-peer" messaging such as Skype -- to be technically capable of complying if served with a wiretap order.



Facebook Phone? Who cares!

September 20, 2010

TechCrunch started a firestorm when they said Facebook was working on a "Facebook phone", resulting in denials by Facebook, and finally TechCrunch called Facebook and their PR outright liars. Everyone was in a tizzy that Facebook was purportedly building a phone based on Google's Android operating system. Even my boss, Rich Tehrani is excited about the potential.

I say "so what?" and "who cares?" Look, I like Facebook and I use it all the time, but there already exists Facebook apps for the iPhone, Android devices, and other mobile platforms. So why the need for Facebook to build their own Android-based mobile phone?

Dan Frommer over at Business Insider disagrees.



Skype + Webcam Catches Shocking Abuse of 91-Year-Old

September 16, 2010

Skype isn't just a communications tool - it's a crime solver too. Enough in fact to put Batman out of a job? No wonder he's ticked off and hanging out with the Joker.

ooVoo vs. Skype in the SMB Space

September 10, 2010



I recently had a video interview with Phillipe Schwartz, CEO of ooVoo, to discuss how they stack up against Skype, ooVoo's technical architecture, their target market, and more. One difference off the bat is that ooVoo started with a SMB-focus, while Skype started with a consumer-focus and then Skype recently started targeting small to medium businesses,i.e. Skype for SIP now called Skype Connect. Phillipe claims ooVoo has an impressive 14 million users and 2-2.5 million downloads per month.

Skype for SIP is Now Skype Connect

August 30, 2010

Today, Skype announced that Skype for SIP is changing its name to Skype Connect. Guess the techie name "SIP" isn't exactly business-friendly, hence the name change. Today, they are also announcing that hat Skype Connect (formerly Skype for SIP) is officially out of beta.

By using Skype Connect with an existing PBX, your business can do the following:
  • Make outbound calls from desktop phones to landlines and mobiles worldwide billed at Skype's standard per-minute calling rates;
  • Receive inbound calls from Skype connected users worldwide by placing Skype's Click & Call buttons on their Web sites;
  • Receive calls from landlines or mobile phones in the corporate PBX using Skype's online numbers that have been purchased separately; and
  • Manage Skype calls using your existing PBX or UC systems' features such as call routing, automatic call distribution, conferencing, auto-attendant, voicemail, call recording and logging.
Since the beta launch of Skype Connect in March 2009, here are some of Skype's milestones:
  • Skype Connect already has over 2,400 active global customers;
  • Skype Connect is now certified to work with PBX and UC products from Avaya, Cisco, SIPfoundry, ShoreTel and other OEMs (see supported models here).
  • Skype Connect also works with older TDM PBXs or Key Systems which can now add Skype calling capabilities through third-party IP gateways from AudioCodes, Grandstream and VoSKY (see supported models here).
  • Launched Skype Manager, a simple web-based tool to centrally manage and control Skype usage in a company, and which enables a business to set-up Skype Connect;
  • New dedicated customer support, including real-time chat, is now available for Skype Connect customers and Skype Manager administrators directly through Skype Manager;
  • In addition, we've been enrolling VARs and system integrators in our new Skype Channel Partner Program and training them to support our business customers. We will share more details on this program soon.
Perhaps the biggest milestone is "dedicated customer support".



Skype mobile now available on Verizon Wireless BREW phones

August 18, 2010

Skype is now available on Verizon Wireless multimedia phones on the BREW platform. What's interesting about this partnership is that it is NOT VoIP - the call is actually routed over Verizon Wireless's network. It requires a cellular connection and won't work over WiFi. Additionally, you actually use your Verizon minutes when you make a Skype to mobile or landline number. I suppose that's better than having to pay to charge up your SkypeOut minutes.

Rupert Murdock Sues Skype for "trademark infringement"

August 11, 2010

Ridiculous news of the day! Rupert Murdoch of News Corp (FOX News) is suing Skype over trademark infringement. Apparently, Rupert's BSkyB company is suing over trademark infringement for sharing 3 letters and a very common word with Skype - namely 'sky'. What's next?

Skype IPO

August 9, 2010

Rich Tehrani was in my office last week saying he thought Skype was going to file an IPO very soon. He thought it was very odd that Skype declined invitations to keynote / speak at TMC's ITEXPO - the show that all major VoIP players attend. Skype has never declined an invitation in the past.

We both theorized that Skype was probably entering their "quiet period" to launch an IPO. He tasked me with looking into it, but alas, I was too busy working on TMC Labs Innovation Awards.

Skype for iPhone Multitasks & Drops Planned 3G Fee

July 22, 2010

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