Skype

Hercules offers a new angle on webcams

By Alan Brandon

20:24 September 29, 2009 PDT

Computer electronics manufacturer Hercules offers a new angle on webcams for people who have trouble seeing eye-to-eye in video chat sessions. The Dualpix HD720p is a high-def webcam that shoots 720p and features an autofocus lens and built-in microphone. The Dualpix is adjustable on two axes, so you can place it where you want on the sides or top of your notebook computer or monitor, in order to better look the camera directly "in the eye". Read More

Logitech backs Vid software release with seven new webcams

By Mick Webb

19:03 August 1, 2009 PDT

Logitech recently launched its own simplified take on video chat software called Logitech Vid - and now there's a raft of new hardware to bundle it with. The company has announced a new series of – count ‘em – seven webcams, ranging from your standard fare to the flagship Pro 9000 model featuring Carl Zeiss optics and 16x9 widescreen video at 720p. Read More

Licensing issues threaten to shut Skype down for good

By Loz Blain

03:02 July 31, 2009 PDT

When eBay bought Skype from Joltid in 2005, the whopping US$2.6 billion price tag didn't include the Global Index peer-to-peer software that the world's biggest Internet Telephony system is based on. And now, Joltid is trying to cancel Skype's license on the Global Index technology in a move that threatens to shut Skype down once and for all. Is it just a canny commercial chess move to force eBay to sell Skype back to Joltid at a huge discount - or is it the end of Skype as we know it? Read More

USB VoIP speakerphone a good call for Skype

By David Greig

17:20 May 6, 2009 PDT

The USB VoIP Speakerphone is a nifty PC attachment that is ideal for Skype users. It can be plugged directly into the computer and uses digital signal processing (DSP) technology to deliver clear voice quality. Read More

Skype answers the call for iPhonistas

By Darren Quick

00:50 May 4, 2009 PDT

Up until recently iPhone users wanting to cut their phone bills by using Skype have been forced to use third-party solutions, such as fring or IM+ for Skype. But with the official Skype for iPhone app now available free, such third-party offerings are likely to become less popular. Skype for iPhone does pretty much what you think. It lets Skype users make free calls to fellow Skype users, using a Wi-Fi network, as well as allowing the use of Skype accounts to make reduced-price calls to traditional landline phones. Read More

Recent mobile coverage at The Mobiler

By Tim Hanlon

23:31 April 27, 2009 PDT

So far this week at The Mobiler, we've covered CSIRO’s 100Mbit wireless technology, the HTC Dream arriving in Spain, Averatec’s 12-inch N2700 laptop, Samsung's Android-powered I7500 handset, 3 UK announcing free Skype calls on their 3G network, a 9-cell battery for the HP Mini 2133 and Mini 2140, Nvidia telling us to expect Ion-powered netbooks to ship in July, and T-Mobile Germany confirming the May release of the Android 1.5 Cupcake update. Read More

Today on The Mobiler

By Tim Hanlon

05:32 April 6, 2009 PDT

Over at The Mobiler today we've covered an OS X app called DemoGod, which displays a feed of your iPhone screen on your desktop, next-gen iPhone rumors regarding 802.11n support and a 3.2 megapixel camera, tentative HTC Touch Pro2 and Blade Sidekick release dates from a leaked T-Mobile roadmap, Deutsche Telekom trying to stop Skype for iPhone, code names and specs of three upcoming BlackBerry devices, T-Mobile planning several Android-based devices including a home phone, Vodafone Australia getting into a spin over their iPhone plans, and Cell Phone Recycling Week which kicks off today. Read More

Skype 4.0 for Windows launched with full-screen video calling

By Noel McKeegan

20:27 February 3, 2009 PST

Skype has launched version 4.0 for Windows offering full-screen video calling, a new built-in bandwidth manager that optimizes calls in relation to your connection, a new audio codec which promises wideband audio quality using 50% less bandwidth than required by previous versions, plus a number of changes designed to make the user experience easier. Read More

Asus releases world's first Skype-certified standalone Videophone

By Loz Blain

13:50 January 7, 2009 PST

January 7, 2009 As Internet connectivity extends further around the world and broadband uptake becomes almost ubiquitous, Skype finds itself in an excellent position dominating the Internet telephony business with its simple, familiar software and free Skype-to-Skype calls around the world. It's certainly our preferred communication tool at Gizmag, keeping our globetrotting team in touch without any fuss. And now it can be completely divorced from the computer, as Asus has shown with its AiGuru SV1 standalone videophone at the 2009 Vegas CES. The US$300 AiGuru can connect to the net through your home wifi, and with its built-in speaker, camera, screen and microphone, you've got a fully functional videophone right out of the box, ready to connect to the world's biggest videophone network. Read More

Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac

By Noel McKeegan

22:45 June 24, 2008 PDT

June 25, 2008 Logitech's latest webcam offering is its first Mac-compatible model to feature autofocus technology and Carl Zeiss optics. Read More

PSP gets Skype functionality - we put it to the test

By Tim Hanlon

21:22 February 4, 2008 PST

Sony recently released a firmware update for the PSP that adds Skype functionality - as long as your PSP is the newer, slimmer kind. We've spent the morning calling people from weird places - here's the lowdown. Read More

Callpod Dragon Bluetooth 2.0 Headset offers 100+ meter range

By Darren Quick

14:37 February 3, 2008 PST

February 4, 2008 Callpod Inc’s Dragon Bluetooth headset for mobile phones, PDAs, VOIP products and computers boasts a range of 100 meters or 328 feet – a big step up over the standard 10 meter or 30 feet range common for Bluetooth headsets. The Dragon also silences ambient noise and annoying pops and clicks with its proprietary Dual-Mic Noise Suppression technology, which isolates the user’s voice while removing background noise. In addition, the Dragon can connect with the PC for Skype calls while on a mobile call, allowing users to switch between the PC and mobile phone with a press of a button. Read More

The other iPhone: Linksys' cordless landline with in-built Skype support

By Loz Blain

July 9, 2007 Linksys has stepped into the market with an iPhone of its own - it's nothing to do with Apple's hysterically successful new mobile unit though. The Linksys iPhone is a dual-mode telephone that can operate like a normal landline or hook up to your computer to make or receive peer-to-peer internet voice calls using a Skype client that's loaded directly into the handset. While the quality of Skype connections can range from crystal-clear to highly dodgy, the prices (free worldwide Skype-to-Skype and very cheap international/long distance calls) have made it an extremely popular way to stay in touch; many look upon Skype as the landline version 2.0. The no-frills Linksys iPhone lets you make and answer calls from the landline and Skype in one integrated unit. It looks to be a fantastic tool for heavy Skype users, and will no doubt encourage others to make the switch to internet telephony. Read More

Skype launches Skype Pro in Europe

By Mike Hanlon

February 22, 2007 VOIP is growing like topsy and the company that leads the charge, Skype, has now rolled out Skype Pro, a new Internet communications package offering zero cents per minute calls to domestic landlines along with a series of premium Skype features and discounts on Skype Certified hardware. Skype’s popular features such as video calls from one Skype user to another, sending instant messages, transferring files, conference calls for up to 10 participants or joining in Skypecasts (live moderated conversations with up to 100 people) remain free to all Skype users across the world. Skype now has over 171 million registered users, is available in 28 languages and generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. For a limited time only, you can purchase Skype Pro on a five month basis for EUR10 and receive EUR5 Skype credit free. After this introductory period, customers can continue with their subscriptions for just EUR2 a month. Read More

Motorola’s ingenious Bluetooth Skype and stereo music headphones

By Mike Hanlon

April 7, 2006 The Motorola Talk & Tunes Wireless Internet Calling Kit is just incredibly clever and useful and we think everyone will want a pair. It is the ultimate fusion of advanced entertainment, communications and convenience – it is relevant to anyone who ever listens to music on their PC or ever uses Skype (or any other VOIP app), or ever plans on doing so. The killer app is that it enables hands-free calling and music listening up to 30 feet (10 meters) away from your Bluetooth-enabled PC and if you don’t have a Bluetooth-enabled PC then you just plug in the Motorola Bluetooth PC Adapter PC850 (pictured above wireless headphones) into your ‘puters USB port and it all works. What’s more, with the ability to control calls and music directly from the Motorola Bluetooth HT820 headphones (left ear side of the headphones controls the phone, the right your music and there’s an integrated microphone in there too), you can talk or listen without being wired to the computer, taking internet calls between other digital audio activities such as music, internet radio, audio books, podcasting ad infinitum. When a call comes in, the music pauses, allowing you to answer directly from the headphones. When the call is complete, the music will automatically resume. Read More

USRobotics Skype-certified Speakerphone rolls into Europe

By Mike Hanlon

March 6, 2006 USRobotics’ Skype-certified USB US$50 Internet Speakerphone has been on the US market for just on a month, and hits Europe later this month, with sales reportedly going gangbusters as the world begins to realise that VOIP offers tangible savings and little downside. The Flying Saucer USR9610 USB Internet Speakerphone makes free Skype calls hands free. With powerful echo cancellation technology, convenient volume and mute buttons, and full-duplex operation, the USR9610 works just like a traditional speakerphone, only without the costs of a long distance call. The speakerphone is light, and easy to install and use with the free software available from Skype. Read More

Bluetooth VoIP Phone for Skype users

By Mike Hanlon

February 10, 2006 Here's a nice implementation of a good idea. TRENDnet yesterday announced the ClearSky VoIP Bluetooth Phone with Bluetooth Adapter (TVP-SP1BK) for Skype. The new handset kit allows Skype users to chat at home, in their office or on the road without having to stay in front of their computer. The kit includes a wireless handset and Bluetooth adapter to ensure compatibility and seamless voice clarity. The handset follows the traditional button behavior of a traditional handset, but also supports all of the popular Skype standard functions such as Contacts, Call List, SkypeOut, Conference Call, etc. Furthermore, the TVP-SP1BK comes with a long-life rechargeable Lithium-ion battery able to sustain up to 6 hours talk time and over 60 hours on standby. Read More

Skype mouse telephone by Sony

By Mike Hanlon

January 13, 2006 Now here’s a good idea from Sony that doesn’t quite fit with the company’s normal fare. Sony will release a VOIP telephone crossed with a mouse onto the Japanese market next month. Dubbed MouseTalk, it looks and acts like a normal scroll wheel mouse, but when a call comes in on Skype, the mouse flashes its LED lights and emits a customisable sound. The mouse opens like a clamshell phone, becoming a Skype handset and it can also be used in hands-free mode. When used as a telephone, the mouse scroll-wheel adjusts the volume and clicking the wheel can mute the microphone. Read More

Linksys CIT200 Cordless Phone offers free Skype calls

By Mike Hanlon

October 12, 2005 Cisco subsidiary Linksys and VOIP software company Skype today announced a global relationship that will include marketing a new cordless phone that takes free Skype Internet phone calling off the computer and puts it into the hands of callers. The new Internet Telephony Kit (CIT200) provides callers with a convenient alternative to making free Skype calls while sat at their computer, giving them the freedom to make free Skype calls wherever they are in the home or office. The CIT200 is the first Skype-enabled product bundled with a Skype starter pack. The CIT200 will be available from 17 October from more than 3,000 online and high street retailers throughout North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Read More

New software enables FREE international phone calls with any mobile phone through Skype

By Mike Hanlon

August 3, 2005 – iSkoot is a new mobile Internet phone company you’ll probably hear a lot about in the near future. iSkoot has introduced software that facilitates mobile access to the tens of millions of Skype Internet phone users. iSkoot enables complete access to Skype for both making and receiving calls from any mobile phone. iSkoot does not require any special hardware, custom phone, or Wi-Fi hot spot. iSkoot is offering free trial downloads at its website now. Read More

One Million Simultaneous Users on Skype

By Mike Hanlon

October 20, 2004.

Today Skype reached a new milestone and had more than 1 million simultaneous users globally connected to each other at the same time. As of Tuesday, October 19, Skype has served more than 2 billion minutes of free Skype-to-Skype calling.

Skype is the fastest growing, globally av... Read More