May 2009

Farhad Manjoo, one of my favorite technology columnists, recently reviewed Skype for iPhone in his Killer Apps segment on SlateV:

If you have an iPhone but haven't tried Skype on it yet, you can download it here. You can also check out Manjoo's columns on Slate here.

What people have been saying about Skype online recently:

On Gear

• Nice write-up on the Ipevo SO-10 Desktop Skype Phone on jkOnTheRun: "a pretty useful phone for the home worker or small office."
• Gizmag likes Skype on the Brando USB VoIP Speakerphone.
• The Telegraph has a look at 3's INQ1 mobile phone: "It means that you can make free calls to other Skype users wherever you are, at a time that's convenient for you, rather than simply when you're in front of your computer. It's a fantastic way of catching up with loved ones, and it won't cost you a bean."

Skype and Family

• A father got to see the birth of his son while away in the military, and a mother and baby saw each other while the mother had to be away.
• One expert suggests Skype to spend quality time with the kids when parents can't be there.
• An author uses Skype to keep in touch with his wife (and parrots) while traveling
• A coach in America's National Football League uses Skype to keep in touch with his family and his players.
• Grandparents are connecting with distant family and reconnecting with old friends through Skype.

Skype at School

• A young student in New York with a heart condition can stay in touch with her class from the hospital
• Students missing school because of swine flu could still prepare for their exams with their teacher over Skype.
• Students in North Carolina compete in a school-district-wide 'Battle of the Books' over Skype.

Miscellanea

• Doctors are offering cosmetic surgery consultations over Skype: "The main reason for using the Skype/iChat platforms for our virtual consultation is that they are user-friendly and hence patient-friendly."
• Speaking of healthy bodies, a personal trainer is offering her training services remotely over Skype.
• A Rotary group in Florida was able to thank soldiers serving in Iraq over Skype.
• When they can't send love letters, Keira Knightly and her boyfriend stay in touch over Skype.
• A girl scout in Ohio helped sick people in hospital connect with loved ones over Skype.
• When a young friend moves away, Skype can help bridge the gap.

A new headset? That sounds like a good idea--especially when it's the new Plantronics .Audio 655 USB Headset. It's the first headset to support Skype's SILK super wideband audio codec, which was introduced with Skype 4.0. Is the sound from the .Audio 655 SILKy smooth? Read on for my review...

Continue reading "Skype Gear Roadtest: Plantronics .Audio 655 USB Headset" »

Some excellent news for people who use Skype on the move on the 3 mobile network in the UK: there are now no data charges or top-up fees for either contract or pay-as-you-go customers who use Skype on 3's network. Pay-as-you-go users no longer need to top up at least £10 per month to use Skype on the go. The change is in effect for 3's current lineup of phones (including the 3 Skypephone S2 and the INQ1 phone), and by the summer Skype will be available to anyone on 3 with a compatible 3G phone, whether the phone came from 3 or not.

I'm really excited about this--3 really seems to understand the importance of being able to use Skype wherever you are. It means free calls from your mobile to other Skype users (or SkypeOut calls using your Skype credit) without having to top up your phone. If you and a friend are in the UK and both have Skype-enabled phones from 3, it's free to talk to one another forever. You can learn more about calling for free on 3 in the UK here.