Skype

Skype P2P VoIP

Skype (Microsoft) Blows $85 Million on GroupMe

August 22, 2011

Skype was in talks with GroupMe to acquire them before Microsoft's (pending approval) bought Skype. With Microsoft purchasing Skype you would have thought Microsoft would have squashed any pending purchases by Skype or at least approve them. The fact that Microsoft didn't stop Skype means Microsoft must agree with the GroupMe acquisition. I'm honestly not sure why though.

GroupMe is simply a group SMS platform that enables you to create group messages leveraging SMS.

Posted in Microsoft, Mobile Phones, Skype, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP, Wireless

Skype releases Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X

August 8, 2011

Today, Skype released Skype 5.3 for Mac OS X, with a number of fixes and some notable improvements, including HD video calling. In addition to an improved user interface, Skype 5.3 will feature support for the new Mac Lion operating system and be backwards compatible with existing Mac OSes. To receive clear HD video calls on your Mac, you'll need an upload/download speed of 1.5Mbps.

Check out the left (non-HD) vs. right (HD) video calling example Skype gives:

Posted in Skype, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Skype for iPad Released then Pulled

August 2, 2011

Skype for iPad was released but then pulled. But not before Rich Tehrani snagged a copy and tested it. Works great! Though the resolution of the iPad 2 camera could be better.

As for the reason it was pulled, according to Skype's Twitter account, "To ensure your best Skype experience, we’ve temporarily removed Skype for iPad which went live prematurely today.” They also tweeted, "We know you’ve been eagerly awaiting Skype for iPad and apologize for the inconvenience."

If you cannot wait for Skype to put it back on the App Store, you can always try my workaround to make Skype iPad video calls.

Update:
It's back on the App Store!

Posted in Skype, TMCnet, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Twilio, the Cloud-based VoIP/Skype App Enabler

July 26, 2011

Today, Twillio is launching their cloud-based VoIP offering that enables developers to add VoIP capabilities to any website with just three lines of code. Twilio's VoIP developer toolkit called “Twilio Client” enables realtime two-ray audio to voice-enable browsers, iOS, and Android Apps. Twilio's product uses the Flash plugin to access the microphone. But since Apple's iOS doesn't support Flash I'm told for mobile they are integrating with iOS and Android through custom mobile SDKs. The mobile SDKs will allow the Android and iPhone mobile platforms to offer Twilio-powered VoIP to their applications.

Twillio explained that "with Twilio Client, web developers worldwide can now build Skype-like voice capabilities with Twilio’s scalable, reliable communications infrastructure-as-a-service. With just a few lines of code, web and mobile applications can host voice conversations, conference calls, and other forms of rich communication." Essentially, you can think of Twilio as a hosted Skype service that lets anyone into the VoIP game.

Posted in Android, Apple, Google, Mobile Phones, SIP, Skype, TMCnet, VoIP, Wireless

How Skype Works With Facebook

July 7, 2011

7/7/11 Video Interview with Jonathan Rosenberg and Chaim Haas

I interviewed Jonathan Rosenberg, Skype's Chief Technology Strategist, to get the inside scoop on how Skype works with Facebook from a technical perspective. It was an interesting interview that covered topics such as whether the Facebook Skype plugin acts as a supernode, how Skype's architecture communicates with Facebook's architecture, group video calling, PSTN calling via Facebook, and the future direction of Skype within Facebook.

Essentially, the Facebook Skype plugin that you download and install the first time you make a Skype call within Facebook is a plugin that is a "mini-version" of the full Skype client. The mini version of Skype removes the Skype UI and is compacted down allowing it to be plugged into a browser.

Tom: Could this plugin be used in other places/sites or was it designed specifically with Facebook in mind?

Jonathan: Right now it is 100% focused on Facebook and in fact it's locked to Facebook. You would not be able to use it on another website even if another website tried.

Posted in Skype, Social Networking, TMCnet, VoIP

Skype Users Make 300 Million Minutes of Video Calling Per Month

July 6, 2011

During the news announcement with Skype and Facebook, Skype CEO Tony Bates (person left above) said that Skype users are using around 300 million minutes per month making video calls. He also said that 50 percent of Skype's traffic is video calls, which puts video calls even Steven with plain VoIP calls. Now that's impressive! Though a bit surprising. I would still think some Skype users prefer voice only - especially if in pajamas or something. That, or could be on a PC/laptop/mobile phone without video capabilities.
You can watch a replay of the press briefing / livestream cast here:
Watch live streaming video from facebookannouncements at livestream.com

Posted in Skype, TMCnet, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Facebook Skype Video and Group Chats Features Launch

July 6, 2011

Facebook announces video calling leveraging Skype! They also announced a new chat design that includes a sidebar that lists the people you message most. The sidebar adjusts with the size of your browser window, and it automatically appears when the window is wide enough. From the sidebar you just click your friend and then select video calling.

Posted in Skype, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ... 59 Next

VoIP & Gadgets Blog

Skype