October 2008

Here's a roundup of some recent Skype Gear-related news:

Skype and Education

• No need for pen-pals--third-graders in Louisana and Lyon are learning about each other and practicing language skills via Skype.
• American students abroad use Skype to stay close with their families.
• How to learn Chinese over Skype.

Skype to Keep in Touch

• Mom meets her daughter's boyfriend over Skype.
• Far-flung couple has long-distance picnics over Skype.
• Another couple uses Skype to keep their long distance relationship strong.
• Miss Universe has Skype "dates" with her boyfriend in Venezuela.

Artists, Musicians, Authors using Skype

• Jazz singer Lola Morales collaborated on the first song on her new album over Skype.
• Lisa Loeb chatted about her new album with a journalist on Skype.
• Artist Sam Herman keeps in touch with his far away son over Skype.
• Fans can meet their favorite authors over Skype at "virtual book signings."

Talk about pushing the limits of technology--Dan York of Disruptive Telephony noted this extraordinary video from the USA's Today programme about Ed Gallager, a man who hasn't let blindness slow him down. Using Skype with a headset and webcam-mounted helmet (and I assume a mini PC with 3G internet connection mounted on his person), he's been able to have a friend remotely help him go shopping, sailing, and even ride a bike by himself. He's currently developing the system so that many more blind people will be able to use it. What a great use for Skype--check out the video:

I'm a huge fan of repurposing old gear you have into something that serves a useful new function, especially when you don't need to spend any more money in the process. So just in time for the credit crunch, JFDuval on Instructables has posted a neat set of instructions for how to combine a cell phone with a broken screen and a malfunctioning headset into a nice little "SkypeCell."

You need to have a phone and headset to use, and be willing to take both apart and do a little soldering, so this might not be for beginner DIYers out there. Still, this is a very cool way to get some extra life out of hardware that otherwise might have been destined for the rubbish bin.