FREETALK

Earlier this month Skype made a splash at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Here are some of the highlights, as well as some other recent Skype stories:

CES

• Skype on TV: In case you missed it on the main blog -- Skype has worked with LG and Panasonic to embed Skype in their latest Internet-enabled TVs. When you have one of these TVs and purchase a special webcam (with a mic tuned to pick up voices from across the room), you'll be able to make video and voice calls with your Skype contacts. There was a great deal of coverage from outlets including the New York Times, Popular Mechanics, and CBS News:
  
  I can't wait to review these for the blog.
• HD Skype Video -- Skype video is going properly HD with the addition of a special HD camera that encodes the video onboard so that it isn't overly taxing on your computer's processor. These should be shipping in March from FREETALK and FaceVsion.

Tips

• This Ask Engadget post asks what the best Skype phone for Europe is -- there's consensus on a number of WiFi models, Skype for Nokia N800/N810/N900, and recommendations for the Skype for iPhone / iPod touch app.
• Speaking of the iPhone app, the latest version (1.3) just launched -- it adds landscape mode for IM, a call quality indicator, and hints and tips for beginners.
• This New York Times article describes various ways that you can use Skype on your mobile to save money on international calls.
• Host your own show on Ustream? If you are (or are thinking about it) here's a way to allow people to call in to your show over Skype video (from lockergnome via Skype Journal).

Miscellaneous

• Here's an interesting article about how the producers of the TV show Glee put the show together. They work in different time zones and use Skype to communicate and check in on different offices.
• Cycling team 'Team Sky' rely on Skype to keep in touch with family and friends on their tour bus as they travel around the world to race.

If you've left your Christmas shopping to the last minute (like me) and still need to get presents for people on your list, a Skype gadget (with rush shipping from the Skype shop or elsewhere) could be an excellent choice. Looking back at some of my recent reviews...

For the On the Go Student:

FREETALK Everyman Headset

It's small, inexpensive, sounds great to listen to and use for calls (as it has super wideband audio support), folds up when you throw it in your bag, and has both USB connectivity and a regular headphone jack so you can use it with your iPod or other MP3 player.

For the Collaborative Executive:

Yamaha SoundGadget PSG-01S

This speakerphone is great to use for conference calls (around a table with its 4 microphones) and recording meetings. Music sounds especially good on it too, to provide some background sound in the office.

For the Multitasking Mum:

The FREETALK Wireless Freedom Headset

This wireless headset has a great range, and can be used to have uninterrupted calls at and away from your computer around the house/office.

For the Geek:

Nokia N900

It's hackable, very pretty, and Skype is fully integrated so can sign in and talk even over 3G.

For Your Not-Very-Tech-Savvy Parents/Family

Philips VoIP855 Cordless Skype Phone

As someone who lives in a different country from his parents, I can't fathom how much money my family and I have saved by talking to each other over Skype. With a phone like the Philips VoIP855 that combines Skype calling with their landline, Skype is always on at their house, so I can always give them a call for free.

Have a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for the new year!

FREETALK has been on a roll lately, coming out with a number of new headsets for Skype, including the Everyman. Now they've released a new and improved version of their wireless headset, the FREETALK Freedom Wireless USB Headset. I reviewed the older version of this headset when it came out, and liked it a great deal because it worked well, much better than wireless bluetooth headsets I've used. Is this newer FREETALK Freedom Wireless USB Headset an improvement on the older headset? Read on to find out.

Continue reading "Skype Gear Roadtest: FREETALK Freedom Wireless USB Headset" »

Earlier this week our friend (and former Skype blogger) Jaanus Kase noticed an issue that's affecting some users of the FREETALK Wireless Headset--it appears that the headset's microphone doesn't work properly in Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Commenters on my original review have noticed poor performance on Mac, and Jaanus noted in his post that the mic does work properly when he's running Windows through Parallels on his Mac.

I've been asking around and I'm still not exactly sure what the issue is, but Skype Support has informed me that they're aware of the problem and are working with ISS (the company that makes the headset) and Apple on resolving it. They haven't been able to reproduce the error on Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (which was the OS used for Mac Skype Certification).

If you have a FREETALK Wireless Headset and are experiencing poor performance on Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, you have two options. You can either wait for an updated driver that will resolve the issue, or you can return it for a refund / replacement.

If you've purchased the headset from the Skype Store in the past 30 days and wish to return it, you can return it through the Skype Store's normal return policy (here's the EU Store's policy).

If you've had the headset for longer than 30 days, are running Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and don't want to wait for the updated driver, you can speak with Skype Support. They'll give you the option of getting a refund or a replacement unit (if you think your problem might be due to a hardware fault).

Ahh, wireless headsets. For the longest time they've been great in theory but sometimes are difficult to use in practice. Bluetooth headsets are small and can work with your mobile along with your computer (if both have bluetooth), but pairing a headset with a computer and having it always ready to use can be difficult to set up. And only having one ear for audio doesn't exactly make for great sound quality when listening to music.

But now FREETALK has come along with a new solution: its new Stereo Wireless Headset takes a great pair of stereo headphones and adds an easy-to-use microphone and a simple USB interface for charging and wireless connectivity. The result is a great way to use Skype (and really anything involved with audio on your computer) without any tangled cables. I've had the chance to try out a FREETALK Stereo Wireless Headset for the past few days and I've got to say, it's quite a liberating experience indeed. Read on for my full review.

Continue reading "Skypegear Roadtest: FREETALK Stereo Wireless Headset" »