Skype

Skype P2P VoIP

Panasonic to launch Skype WiFi phone

September 1, 2006

Panasonic plans to launch a new Skype WiFi phone. This now makes six major partners producing WiFi devices with Skype bundled on them out of the box. Panasonic, NETGEAR, Belkin, SMC, Edge-Core and the Sony Mylo. The Panasonic Phone will be Skype Certified and is expected be launched in the fourth quarter of 2006 in the United States.

Posted in Skype

USRobotics USR9630 Cordless Phone for Skype

August 30, 2006

USRobotics just launched a new cordless phone for Skype called the USR9630 Cordless Phone for Skype and the USR9631 Accessory Handset. The USR9630 base station connects to both a traditional phone line and an available USB port on a PC running Skype. It allows up to four cordless handsets to be connected to the same telephone line. This product is somewhat similar to the Linksys CIT200 Skype phone that I reviewed, which also supports multiple handsets and also uses DECT, however, this USR product supports both Skype and PSTN phone calls, thus making it a practical home phone replacement for the entire family.

Posted in Reviews, Skype

Google interoperates with Skype

August 29, 2006

The Google Talkabout blog announced Google's plans to interoperate with Skype. In part it states, "Google and eBay have signed an agreement around text-based advertising and "click-to-call" advertising, in which Google Talk and Skype will power voice calls between customers and merchants." Even more interesting is this tidbit from the official press release: "Google will become the exclusive text-based advertising provider for eBay outside the United States." Wow, this is a huge win for Skype/eBay, but I'm not so sure how much of a win this is for Google - more on that later.

It is interesting that there is a caveat in the press release - Google is the exclusive text-based advertising provider for eBay outside the United States. Apparently, as part of this deal, Skype/eBay can continue to use Overture or other ad networks within the U.S. but must use Google for advertising outside the U.S.

Posted in Google, Skype

Turn your PC into a Skype gateway

August 22, 2006

Televoce's PontiVoce (PonTEE VO-che) Server is an interesting piece of software that lets you create a 100% software-based Skype gateway that leverages the Skype API to turn your PC into a Skype gateway for relaying calls. It's worth pointing out that Skype has offered free phone calls within the U.S. and Canada to help acquire more Skype users. Using TeleVoce solution, you can extend this "free offer" to friends and family outside this free calling zone.

Posted in Skype

VoIP Call Recording

August 22, 2006

VoIP call recording software for popular VoIP applications such as Skype, Google Talk, Windows Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and the rest is something I get asked about all the time. I can't tell you how many times I get email requests for recommendations for the best VoiP call recording software as well as requests for call recording software and/or hardware to record strictly PSTN or traditional PBXs conversations. Even the VoIP Forums has a few threads involving requests for call recording, including this three-page thread titled "Call Recording Software" and this VoIP Forum posting, "SOHO VoIP call recording".

It's tough when I get so many of these help requests (usually via email, sometimes via phone) since it is in my nature to want to help people out.

Posted in Avaya, Computer Software, Microsoft, ShoreTel, Skype, VoIP

Skype PPC 2.1 beta for PocketPC

August 15, 2006

Skype released PPC 2.1 beta for PocketPCs. You can download it here. Technically PocketPC or PPC is a misnomer, since this new Skype software can run on smartphones running Windows CE or the latest Windows Mobile 5 operating systems. Perhaps a name change for Skype PPC is needed? Skype Smartphone?

Posted in Microsoft, PDAs & Handhelds, Skype

Sony mylo personal communicator

August 8, 2006

Sony's Mylo ("my life online") personal communicator is a new gadget that provides users access to online instant messaging services, Web pages (fully-featured Opera browser), e-mails, play music, and view photos. Most interestingly, the mylo communicator comes with Skype software built into it for VoIP calling. It also has Google Talk and Yahoo! Messenger embedded, but it's not clear if these two applications will only support IM or VoIP as well, however Google Talk and Yahoo Messenger only support IM and not VoIP. You'll have to use Skype exclusively for VoIP.

Posted in Gadgets, Google, PDAs & Handhelds, Skype, VoIP, Wireless

Earn VoIP PSTN dialing credits by watching videos

July 28, 2006

Back in March, I had an exclusive first look at Lycos Phone, which is a rebranded softphone client made by Globe7. On Tuesday next week, Globe7 will launch a major new release of their softphone client, though they've quietly made the 3.0 software available for download now. The new version loads much faster, has a complete video library for users and allows users to earn free credits for the phone simply by watching videos. Yep, you read that correctly - you can earn PSTN dialout minutes simply by watching videos.

Posted in PDAs & Handhelds, Skype, VoIP

LiveJournal meets VoIP via Gizmo Project

July 27, 2006

Andy had the goods yesterday on Sixapart's Live Journal and Gizmo Project in a deal that would enable one of the largest blogging community to be able to IM & VoIP each other. Well, today, it's official.

The co-branded “Gizmo Project for LJ Talk” software will enable LiveJournal friends to call each other for free, send instant messages and see each other's online presence (available, away or offline). Some nice features include free “Call me” and “IM” buttons on journal pages to initiate calls and instant messages from the web, as well as point and click “voice posts", which allows Gizmo Project for LJ Talk users to post audio recordings (podcasts) on their blog. The partnership also stated that Gizmo Project for LJ Talk users will be able to make low-cost PSTN calls in addition to buddy-to-buddy PC calling.

Posted in Google, MovableType, Skype, VoIP

Mac users finally get Skype video feature

July 25, 2006

It's official! Skype has released a new version (1.5.0.47) of Skype for the Mac. Finally, video is available to Mac users, which up till now must have felt like 2nd class citizens since the Windows version has had video for some time. The video preview of Skype for Mac was released today. They also did some UI enhancements. You can download the video preview.

Posted in Reviews, Skype

Previous 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 ... 59 Next

VoIP & Gadgets Blog

Skype