Skype

Skype's China Spying sparks Anger, Despair

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By John Ruwitch and Emma Graham-Harrison
HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) - Savvy Internet users in China began avoiding the version of Skype offered by its Chinese partner two years ago, but news it filtered and recorded text messages has sparked new worries about the global firm's commitment to privacy.
The U.S.-owned Web communications firm faces a backlash at home and in China for apparently allowing core principles to be compromised in order to meet the demands of Chinese censors, analysts warned.
Read more

Posted on Fri, 3 Oct 2008 06:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

FCC Chairman to oppose Skype open-Network Petition

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LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin said on Tuesday he was proposing to dismiss a petition from Web-based phone service Skype to force open wireless networks.
Read more

Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:33:06 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Sony PSP Firmware 3.93 brings Skype to Japan

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Sony released a new firmware update for the Sony PSP today in Japan. The firmware 3.93 brings Skype functionality to Japan.

The rest of the world already got Skype with PSP firmware 3.90 in January.

Skype only works with the latest generation of the slim Sony PSP (PSP-2000). Read more

Posted on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:34:55 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony PSP Firmware 3.90 with Skype available

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Sony released the Sony PSP firmware 3.90 with Skype support in the United States and Europe. As reported Sony delayed Skype for the Sony PSP in Japan.

The firmware 3.90 will enable all owners of the new slim Sony PSP (PSP 2000 series) to make and receive phone calls. Skype will not work with the first generation of the Sony PSP (PSP 1000). Read more

Posted on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:06:56 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Skype and Mics on Sony PSP delayed in Japan [Update]

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Sony announced in early January that the Sony PSP would support Skype by the end of January. Today Sony announced that they would delay the Sony PSP Skype features because the new PSP microphones are not meeting the Skype specifications needed to obtain certification.

Sony planned to introduce the PSPJ-15010 (single pack) and PSPJ-15011 (twin pack) microphones in Japan tomorrow. Update: Just confirmed with Sony PR, the delay of Skype support on the PSP is only in Japan. For the U.S. and Europe the Skype PSP firmware is coming at the end of January. Read more

Posted on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:01:59 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Skype Encryption stumps German Police

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By Louis Charbonneau

WIESBADEN, Germany (Reuters) - German police are unable to decipher the encryption used in the Internet telephone software Skype to monitor calls by suspected criminals and terrorists, Germany's top police officer said on Thursday. Read more

Posted on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:10:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

NetGear SPH200D DECT Skype Phone Review

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Tweaktown published a review of the NetGear SPH200D DECT Skype phone.

Quote from the review: "If you mention VoIP these days most people will think of Skype, which shows how huge Skype has become in quite a short time. The company has been busy pushing hardware for its Voice-over-IP service and we’ve seen some good, some not so good and some really awful attempts at making Skype handsets. Read more

Posted on Wed, 7 Nov 2007 08:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

MySpace, Skype to offer Calls on Social Network

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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - News Corp's MySpace social network site and eBay Inc's Skype will offer MySpace members free Internet calling services, executives from the companies said, in a bid by both to expand their base of users and revenue. Read more

Posted on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:48:56 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Skype and UK's 3 working on Mobile Internet Phone

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LONDON (Reuters) - EBay Inc's Skype is working with British cell phone service operator 3 to produce a handset that will allow users in Britain to make free calls on the Internet, a spokesman for the company said on Friday. Read more

Posted on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

EBay slashes Skype Deal Price

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By Sinead Carew and Eric Auchard

NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - EBay Inc said on Monday it would cut as much as $1.2 billion off the $4.3 billion potential price it agreed to pay for Web-based phone-calling service Skype two years ago. Read more

Posted on Tue, 2 Oct 2007 00:04:48 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Global Computer Reboots Reason for Skype Outage

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As reported Skype had an outage last week starting on August 16th. Now the eBay company released details on why their VOIP service got disrupted.

The disruption was triggered by a massive restart of our Skype users' computers across the globe within a very short timeframe as they re-booted after receiving a routine set of patches through Windows Update.
Usually the P2P network heals itself, but the massiveness of the reboots apparently revealed a software bug preventing the network to heal. Read more

Posted on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 07:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Skype says Sign-On Problems resolved

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Skype informs on their homepage that the sign-on problems on their site have been resolved.

Skype users had problems since Thursday to make VOIP calls. The company has now voice fully functional again.
Skype presence and chat may still take a few more hours to be fully operational. Read more

Posted on Sat, 18 Aug 2007 07:57:50 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Skype still working to fix Sign-on Problem-Web Site

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Internet phone service provider Skype said early on Friday users continued to face problems logging onto the service as it struggled to fix the problem.

As of 12:32 a.m. EDT Skype, owned by eBay Inc, said on its Web site that the problem, which it had earlier linked to a software problem, was yet to be resolved.

Skype did not say how many of its users were affected, and could not immediately be reached for comment. Read more

Posted on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:41:49 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Skype, SMC and Fon Wifi Bundle Offer

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Skype's new online store offers a Fon Wi-Fi Router and Skype SMC Wireless phone for a very low bundled price.

With FON router you can join the Fonero community building a free for members Wi-fi network.
Skype is offering the bundle consisting of a SMC WiFi phone, FON router, 500 SkypeOut minutes and a year's worth of free Skype voicemail for $159. Read more

Posted on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Amex TSP-VS501 DECT Phone does PSTN and Skype

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Amex Digital introduces the stylish TSP-VS501 a 2-in-1 DECT phone supporting standard phone service and VOIP.

The Amex Digital TSP-VS501 is supposedly the first cordless phone that also supports Skype calls. Utilizing a USB connection to a standard PC with softphone, the Cordless DUALphone can route calls over the Internet.
The TSP-VS501 is optimized for Skype but provides also an API to support other VOIP services in the future.
The wireless phone features a LCD display and touch sensitive buttons. Read more

Posted on Sat, 3 Mar 2007 04:15:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

MobiGater Enables Skype Calls on Any GSM Cell Phone

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MobiGater is a new possibly groundbreaking device that enables you to make Skype calls on your mobile phone without installing any software on your phone.

MobiGater is a Skype to GSM Gateway that connects via USB to a PC to connect to the Skype VOIP infrastructure.
You need to get a SIM card for the MobiGater to make it work. Bulgarian based EURO DESIGN Ltd., the maker of the MobiGater recommends to get a SIM card with low rates on the same network as your mobile phone.
When making calls via Skype you still have to pay for the call to the MobiGater device.

If you make a lot of international calls the MobiGater can save you a bundle here.

The elegant aspect of this solution is that you can use your mobile phone anywhere and make cheap Skype calls. Read more

Posted on Fri, 24 Nov 2006 05:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Standalone Cordless Skype Phone

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Skypestyle.com has unveiled the RTX DualPhone 3088, which is a cordless skype phone that allows you to make a Skype call or normal landline call without the need of a computer. This is supposedly a first.

Simply plug the base station into the router and telephone line and that is it says the press-text. I am sure you have to fiddle with the setup menu to tell the phone your skype id and password. Read more

Posted on Thu, 23 Nov 2006 09:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Tiny VIVO Voicekey Skype Adapter

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The VIVO Voicekey is a small USB to phone adapter that enables you to use any standard phone for VOIP calls. What is special about this VOIP phone adapter is its compact size.

The VIVO Voicekey supports calling up to 9 people at the same time. You can switch between the different calls. You can also talk to up to 5 people in a conference call. Of course you can dial Skype numbers from the connected standard phone. Read more

Posted on Sat, 5 Aug 2006 09:17:56 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Skype on Your TV Enabled by Oregan

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UK based Oregan Networks extends Skype functionalities to your TV.

Oregan Networks is an embedded software maker for consumer electronics. The company enhanced their Oregan Media Browser suite now with Skype functionality.

The new feature enables you to receive Skype messages and calls whilst watching TV. Now we just need to wait until some hardware maker will release a setop box running this software and you can Skype away on your Telly. Read more

Posted on Tue, 20 Jun 2006 08:34:49 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Angel IVR Now On Skype

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Angel.com (division of MicroStrategy Incorporated), a provider of on-demand call center and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) solutions announced a strategic alliance with Skype.

Skype users can now create and manage speech-enabled IVR applications.
If you like to roll out a Skype accessible voice application you get now at no charge, access to Site Builder, dedicated support from an Angel.com representative, a new toll-free number, and promotion of approved voice services to the Skype and Angel.com user communities.

Site Builder is a tool developed by Angel.com that allows you to build voice applications online. It is basically VoiceXML made easy. Read more

Posted on Thu, 27 Apr 2006 03:50:07 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Sony VN-CX1 Skype Mouse Available

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Sony released the VN-CX1 Skype phone mouse only in Japan so far. Our partner AudioCubes offer the Sony VN-CX1 internationally now.

The Sony VN-CX1 is a optical PC mouse. When flipped open it converts to a Skype phone. I am not sure if this is really a smart design. It is definitely an unusual Skype phone.
Sony offers the VN-CX1 in five colors.
AudioCubes sells the Sony VN-CX1 mouse for $99.00.
Read more

Posted on Wed, 29 Mar 2006 01:11:10 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

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