Miscellaneous

Some recent Skype stories:

• Gadling reviews a trio of IPEVO phones: the ST-4RT.1 Universal VOIP handset, FR-33.1 USB Skype handset, and TR-10 Portable conference phone
• 3's INQ Mini 3G recently launched, with integrated Skype, Twitter and Facebook. Engadget Mobile has a full review
• The Asus AiGuru SV1T Skype videophone with touch screen has launched -- look for a review of the device on this blog soon.
• Senior citizens are keeping in touch with friends and family over Skype
• A tip on using Skype as a pet monitor while you're away from home
• A consultant in Australia uses Skype to work smarter and from anywhere
• Christopher Libertelli, senior director of government relations for Skype, talks about network neutralty and the Federal Communications Commission in the US with the Washington Post
• Time's Cheapskate Blog discusses how to save money on your mobile bill with Skype. The Irish Times also offers similar money-saving tips, and the Telegraph offers tips on saving money when calling home from abroad
• The New York TImes's Gadgetwise blog tackles etiquette while multitasking during Skype conversations
• Chicago blogger Billy Dec speaks to CNN over Skype from Russia

Video calls on Skype are a great way to connect face to face with far away friends and family--it adds a whole extra dimension to the conversation. While you do get to see the person's face, it sometimes can be difficult to see the person "eye-to-eye", because webcams are placed above screens, so as you're looking at the other person on your screen, the camera captures you looking down. I think this is a minor annoyance that comes with the territory, but a few companies are trying to solve the problem.

When I first heard about Iris2Iris, I assumed it would be a type of periscope attachment (like this) that would clip onto your laptop or over your existing webcam. Actually, it's a whole different beast, an entire second montor with its own stand, built-in webcam and speakers, and a mirror that reflects the webcam so that it captures where you're looking on the screen. Iris2iris sent me a prototype unit for several weeks to try out.

First Impressions

The Iris2iris unit is huge; it is composed of an audio/camera unit, a mirror system for reflecting the camera, a 14 inch monitor, and a base. It was necessary to assembly these parts, and while not difficult, it was a bit more work than I was expecting. Some of the pieces didn't fit together perfectly the first time (though I was testing a prototype so this may have changed in production). Soon enough it was all together, a somewhat imposing figure on my desk.

The Iris2iris connected to my computer via VGA and USB -- it was easy to install the webcam driver and get the monitor working with my computer (though I did have some difficulty hooking it up to my computer at first, but I blame my computer's finnicky video settings rather than the Iris2iris). I set the Iris2iris to be an extended desktop, so that applications could be dragged to it and then maximized there.

Functionality

Even before using the Iris2iris as a communications device, I found it really useful as a second monitor. It sits quite high on its stand and was easy to glance at next to my regular laptop. I could put my work email on the screen then easily keep an eye on it as I worked on my main screen. But where Iris2Iris worked best (as you might expect) was on Skype calls.

For most of the day I would keep Skype maximized Skype on the Iris2iris's monitor, and then when I made or received video calls, I could just just make the video go full screen and start talking. It was that easy -- I didn't have to fumble with a headset because the built-in mic worked well (though you can use one if you want).

The people I spoke to said I sounded great (without any echo) and looked great because they could see my eyes looking directly at them. Above is a screen grab that Peter from the main blog took while I was chatting with him.

Conclusion

To take the best advantage of Iris2Iris you'd need two units: one for you to benefit the person you're speaking to, and one for the other person for your benefit, but even with just one I found Iris2iris to be a really easy way to have video chats -- the dedicated monitor and built-in mic/speakers made starting up video conversations over Skype even easier. And Iris2iris's usage isn't limited to Skype--I could also see it working well for video bloggers and news readers -- using teleprompter software, you could be looking right at the camera while reading a script.

Bottom line: Iris2iris is a really interesting gadget that solves a problem you might not have known you even had. While my prototype unit was a bit difficult to set up, it performed very well. The production units look to be quite expensive, but if you're a hardcore video chatter, you may find Iris2iris's benefits worth it. You can learn more about Iris2iris (including purchasing options) on their website here.

Illustration by Marc Rosenthal on School Library Journal

Using Skype in the classroom is a great way to make learning come alive for students. Howard on the US blog recently mentioned how in the US authors are visiting classrooms to meet students and students are learning about islands around the world. What else can Skype do in the classroom?

Well, Ms. Ward, author of the Teacher Et Cetera blog, mentions these uses in this informative blog post on Skype in the classroom:

• Connect your class to virtual penpals
• Help students hear native speakers when learning a foreign language
• Collaborate with another class on a joint research project
• Bring authors into your classroom via Skype
• Learn about another culture by connecting students to a classroom from that culture
• Learn about geography from students living in an area you are studying
• Bring professionals from your content area to "speak" in your classroom
• Conduct interviews
• Create pod- and screencasts with students from other parts of the world
• Study the same book with another class and hold web book talks
• Have students in your class create virtual presentations for students in other schools
• Attend a webinar with your students

Other great sources of information include the Global Education Collaborative, the Skype in Schools wiki, this article on School Library Journal, and this list of international classrooms interested in participating.

Classrooms are using Skype across the world--like this class in the US who caught up with a former classmate who had moved to Kenya with her family--to across the city, like these classes of third and sixth-graders in Waltham, MA telling each other stories (via Skype Journal):

Do you know of any other great uses for or examples of Skype in the classroom? Let us know in the comments!

Have you tried screen sharing yet? The feature has been around for Skype users on the Mac for a while now, and it was recently added to Skype for Windows. It's a really great way to collaborate.

Once you turn screen sharing on (by clicking on Share -> Share Your Screen in the conversation window while you're on a call), the person you're speaking to sees your screen. He or she can then comment as you edit a document, see a presentation you're giving, or can instruct you on how to troubleshoot a computer issue. I haven't done this with my parents yet, but I can imagine it would be much easier than trying to troubleshoot with them describing what they're seeing on screen.

This week mobile devices blog jkOnTheRun wrote a nice post about using Skype to collaborate across the US and across the Atlantic. James Kendrick said:

We accomplished in 30 minutes what would have taken us hours going back and forth via email. This collaboration made it seem as if we were in the same room working together, which in a way we were.

He goes on to say:

I have tried many different tools for collaborating remotely, and I must say that Skype's implementation of desktop sharing is the best by far. It has been consistent in quality, and I've experienced no issues yet. Throw in the bonus of it being free, and Skype has created a winner.

Thanks James! You can check out his whole post here. And if you haven't tried screen sharing yet, what are you waiting for? Give it a try!

Some recent Skype stories in the news:

Gear

• The new Nokia N97, which will soon have a Skype client built-in, is among the new smartphones reviewed in the UK's Times.
• The USO (which provides on-site support for American soldiers abroad) will be installing the IPEVO S0-10 Desktop Phone for Skype in 18 of its service centers to make it easier for soldiers to call home.

Business

• Use Skype to work remotely, says Gina Trapani of Lifehacker on her Harvard Business blog. One commenter explains how he Skypes into his work computer all day to converse with coworkers.
• A handbag company is using Skype to show its wares to prospective customers.
• Preparation for job interviews and career coaching is being offered over Skype.
• First-time entrepreneurs shouldn't forget Skype to keep costs low.

Entertainment

• Michelle Pfeiffer keeps in touch with her family using Skype.
• A Baldwin brother uses Skype before departing from I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
• A theater group used Skype to collaborate on its latest play and hold its first read-through.

Health

• An Iraqi father and daughter being treated in the US keep in touch with family in Iraq through Skype.
• A cancer patient is able to attend his high school graduation through Skype.

Education

• A Durham University (in the UK) visiting professor from Australia isn't actually leaving Australia--she'll be using online tools including Skype to collaborate with Durham professors.
• Skype is among the tools recommended for teachers for collaborative projects.
• Two classes of middle schoolers compete in a reading challenge over Skype.
• A soldier uses Skype to answer a class's questions.

Family

• The new CEO of Best Buy watched a basketball game 'with' his sons over Skype while on a business trip.
• One American soldier uses Skype to keep in touch with family from Iraq; another got to see his newborn twins for the first time through Skype, and another his daughter's graduation.
• No more empty nest loneliness for parents who keep in close contact with their college-aged children through Skype. Here's a similar story from the student's perspective, and another similar story with some good tips.
• A weekly Skype call keeps far away grandparents in the loop.

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.

Skype in the news:

• Skype for iPhone has been quite well received.
• IPEVO news: WiFi Phone for Skype gets reviewed and Desktop Phone is released.
• Skype CTO Dan Berg gave a talk in Wisconsin about Skype and where it's going.
• Journalists recommend and overcome their fear of using Skype.
• Familes continue to use Skype in interesting ways -- people are connecting with grandparents and kids and family members abroad, watching their child's birth and participating in weddings when they can't be there.
• Sienna Miller and her sister use Skype to work on their clothing line when they're apart.

Some recent Skype stories:

Gear

• A nice comparison of the 3 Skypephone and INQ1, both of which allow you to Skype very easily on the go.
• Another video review of the Asus Eee AiGuru SV1 Videophone for Skype.
• SkypeSync (which I've mentioned before here) has been updated; here's a good review on Skype Journal.

Soldiers

• National Guard mom surprises son at school--they normally keep in touch over Skype.
• A couple depends on Skype to stay close while one is away with the US Navy.
• Soldiers in Tennessee and Oklahoma talk to young students about their experiences over Skype.

Family

• A father in Poland gave away his daughter at her wedding in the US over Skype.
• Using Skype is a good way to keep a long-distance marriage healthy.
• Electronic apron strings: an American mom is talking to her daughter abroad in Africa over Skype more often than when they lived in the same house.

Business

• Skype helps cross-border telecommuters.
• A hair salon in Boston USA is using Skype for at-home consultations.
• A staffing company uses Skype to interview potential job candidates.
• A company is offering language lessons over Skype.

Misc

• A woman in Maine has helped over 200 sick children get laptops so they can use Skype and educational computer programmes.
• Learning to play the harp over Skype.
• Some tips for ex-pats on using Skype to stay in touch.
• Older women are using Skype and other technologies to enhance their lives.

I've mentioned Skype in the classroom in many of my Gear News Roundups--often it's used to help sick students participate from the hospital, or to connect students from different countries to help them learn language skills.

Here's a great video about a dual immersion program at Marquette University in the USA run by Colleen Coffey. It shares student perspectives about language and culture exchange, and it really shows the benefits that video chatting can bring to the classroom. As Colleen says in the video, "Twenty-one countries speak Spanish, and all of them are on Skype."

Some recent Skype stories:

• Here's a good review of the Asus Eee AiGuru SV1 Videophone, with video.
• Skype President Josh Silverman was recently profiled by the UK's Independent. He's also was also nominated as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum this week.
• American students were able to participate in the politcal process, speaking with a Congressman over Skype video.
• A six-year-old cancer patient uses Skype to stay in touch with her friends at school.
• Skype video is a good way for business travelers to see their children when they're away, and for family and friends to avoid homesickness and keep in touch when they move. It's also being used at libraries by people who don't own computers.
• Internet hug! A pair of photography enthusiasts who met over Flickr use Skype to keep in touch across an ocean.
• The end of alone: Skype is one way to keep in constant contact for pleasure or work, though a work telecommuting strategy needs to be carefully considered to be successful.
• A soldier in Iraq and a music industry executive use Skype for interviews with the media.

Are you using Twitter yet? It seems to me that lately everyone is talking about it. I think it's a very cool service, and you can use it quite easily with Skype.

If you haven't heard of Twitter, it's essentially a microblogging / group messaging service--you send a short, 140 character message out (via SMS, the web, a Twitter-specific program, or Skype), and people who elect to follow you will receive that message (in a similar number of ways). Anyone can follow anyone else (though you can set your Twitter updates to private so only those you approve can see them), and all your tweets can be viewed on a single page (here's mine).

Twitter's great because you can use it however you like--I use it primarily as a way to get status updates out to friends, and have those updates synced up to Facebook and Skype. Other people are using it to talk about things that interest them, to share links, to promote what they're doing, to network, to find jobs--the list goes on.

Twitter is easy to use on the go because your message has to be short and there are multiple ways you can send and receive messages from your mobile.

And if you're interested in a particular topic, searching for that topic on Twitter is a great way to see what people are saying. Increasingly news (like that recent plane crash on the Hudson River in NYC) is appearing online first on Twitter.

You can make Skype and Twitter work together in several ways.

• On Windows, you can use Twype or SyncMood to make your most recent tweet become your Skype mood message (just make sure in Skype you say OK to giving the programme access).
• On a Mac, you can link Skype 2.8 Beta to Twitter so that anything you type in your Skype mood message box also shows up on Twitter. It requires some file editing though; Dan York has instructions.
• You can also use Twitter4Skype to send Twitter updates and receive them from people you're following within a Skype window. This option is particularly useful for people with 3 Skypephones or Skype Lite--then you can tweet in a Skype chat rather than having to sent an SMS.

Do you know of any other ways to use Twitter with Skype? Let us know in the comments.

Skype at CES

• FierceVOIP has a nice roundup of Skype announcements, and several others mention Skype Lite on Android and phones that run Java.
• Mr. Gadget from the Las Vegas Sun checked out Skype's booth at CES Showstoppers (52 seconds in).

Skype and Education

• Here's a great wiki that lists different ways to use Skype in the classroom and classrooms that are interested in speaking with other classrooms. There's also a similar 'Around the World with 80 Schools' project.
• A professor taught the first day of his class this semester from Iraq via Skype.
• Students in the US from Boston are going to Washington DC to participate in next week's inauguration of Barack Obama, and will be using Skype to report back to their classmates.
• Universities are using Skype to conduct interviews with potential students.

Skype and Show Business

• Oprah has been using Skype for quite a while now to interact with her audience and have far-away guests on her show. She recently told Meryl Streep, on the show via Skype, she wanted a part in Streep's new film Doubt.
• Phillip Seymour Hoffman recorded a voice part for an animated feature with the assistance of Skype.
• Some comedians got their show together through Skype.

Skype and Family

• Interesting story in the New York Times about families who work apart but use Skype to read to their children and keep in touch. A follow-up post on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reader blog has some other ideas for ways to use Skype with books.
• An opera singer uses Skype to keep in touch with her partner while traveling.
• A soldier son in Iraq gave his mother in America a 50th birthday present via Skype.

Photo by Adam Vogel

'Tis the season of holiday parties. This Christmas I've been to quite a few; it's been great to catch up with friends and colleagues over mulled wine and mince pies. But what can you do if you want to celebrate but don't live near your friends and colleagues? Over Twitter I recently learned about Kyle Sheldon-Chandler, a woman who has been having a virtual holiday party over Skype with one of her clients for the past five years. Kyle runs a virtual assistant services company, and was kind enough to answer a few questions for me:

Skype Gear: I happened to notice on Twitter that you're having virtual holiday parties over Skype--how long have you been doing this?

Kyle Sheldon-Chandler: I have been doing a virtual Christmas party with my client for 5 years.

SG: How does it work? Do you have a different party with each client?

KSC: I only do this with one client. We schedule our date and time and then get ready to have some fun. At the appointed time, one of us calls the other on Skype, we have our dinner or snacks and wine, if desired. Our husbands bring us refills on the snacks (cheese, crackers, vegies, dip or the like) and the wine.

SG: What sorts of things does one do during a virtual holiday party?

KSC: With my client, we talk about everything except work (sometimes it does creep in though). We talk about our kids, husbands, tv shows, some politics, and what is going on in our lives. We happen to be about the same age, with kids the same age, so we have a lot in common.

For my International Association of Administrative virtual parties - we design a Powerpoint presentation with a variety of slides. For example, one slide could be different doors with a prize behind the door. So, if you win one of the games, you get your choice of doors.

We have played a variety of games such as Two Truths/One Lie where you have to guess which statement about someone is a lie; TV trivia; matching childhood pictures with our adult pictures, or any other game.

We also have a gift exchange so you get to pick a present under a tree, and the donor of that gift will mail it to you. These are normally gift cards or journals, etc.

SG: How is a virtual holiday better than a "real" holiday party? How is it worse?

KSC: It is better because you don't have to drive, especially if you drink. You get to stay in the comfort of your home and don't have to dress up. It is certainly less expensive and you get to know people from all over the country.

The detriment is that you usually don't get to have a face-to-face event. I have not figured out how to have a lot of people on webcams yet.

SG: What kind of webcam do you use?

KSC: I have a Logitech webcam. Not the most expensive, but it works pretty well.

SG: How do you use Skype as a virtual administrator?

KSC: I use this to connect with my clients by voice, chat, and video. I also use it to connect with other virtual assistants.

What a great way to connect over Skype. Thanks very much Kyle! Happy holidays everybody!

Happy holidays! Here are some recent stories about how Skype can be used to spread holiday cheer:

• Here are two good guides for how to for have video chats over Skype and use Skype generally. if you're reading this blog you probably already know this stuff, but they could be a good for forwarding to family and friends who aren't using Skype yet. Also, here's a video on how to Skype.
• People who are cutting back on travel during the holidays can use Skype to keep in touch instead.
• Soldiers are using Skype to keep in touch with their families when they can't be home for Christmas. They're also sharing war stories with students over Skype.
• And students are learning new languages or about different cultures through Skype.
• As Skype becomes more of a standard, one journalist calls on other journalists to use Skype more.
• And here's another review of the Asus AiGuru SV1 Videophone that I recently reviewed. It could be a great holiday gift...

We've seen some interesting uses of Skype on webcams recently (including a roving robot and sight for a blind man)--here's another. Barak Kassar, the director of a digital communications / marketing firm, recently was able to direct a film his staff were making in San Francisco via Skype from Spain.

Kassar was able to watch the monitors as they were filming and give an actor tips--though at one point his staff muted him and it took quite a bit to get their attention:



Kassar said on his blog that he was pleased with the experiment, and liked that he could avoid such a long flight.

Have you ever done something unexpected over a webcam? Let us know in the comments.

[Via Everything Communicates via Wired Gadget Lab]

You may have seen Peter's post on the main blog about the launch of the first Skype-certified webcam, the Asus AiGuru SV1. It's a very neat little gadget--I'm going to have one to play with this week and will be sharing my thoughts on it soon. But until then, here are some more recent Skype stories in the news:

Podcasting Tip

• Skype is used in the production of many podcasts; while recording the audio from one side will generally produce a "good enough" sounding file, the audio can sound more professional if both parties record their own side of the conversation, chat on skype, and then one person syncs up both audio files afterwards. Dan Benjamin details his process here.

"Celebs" using Skype

• Tori Spelling and her husband Dean McDermott learn about technology (and how to use Skype, about a third of the way in) in this video on PC.com. The video also features the Sony VAIO Mouse Talk, which I reviewed here.
• Kendra Wilkinson, Playboy Playmate and star of the reality show The Girls Next Door, appears on a talk show and mentions how she uses Skype to, erm, stay in touch with her boyfriend across the country (note that this clip isn't exactly safe for work).

Students and Soldiers

• Schools are using Skype to enable teachers to teach and students to learn when they can't be in the classroom because of illness or far away learning opportunities. High school teacher Sallye Clark was able to teach her students from home while recovering from knee surgery.
• And Brenda Page-Riley, in Louisiana on a science fellowship, was able to connect with her primary school students in Connecticut.
• Likewise, American soldiers deployed in Iraq are using Skype to stay close with family members, particularly young children who might not understand why their parents need to leave for so long. Capts. Tom Fischer and Nate Rawlings share their experiences here and here.

This is just awesome: Marque Cornblatt, a San Francisco-based artist and host of the DIY lifestyle and design series Gomi Style, has created Sparky (the Self Portrait Artifact Roving Chassis), a computer on wheels that can be controlled through Skype (and some custom software that uses Skype's API).

He's posted a full set of instructions on Instructables so you can try to make your own Sparky, and he's also made a video, which really brings the project to life. Check it out here:

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.

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

Hardware

• As Peter mentioned, British comedian and ubergeek Stephen Fry had some nice words for the 3 Skypephone S2 earlier this month.
• Computer Act!ve gave the Belkin Desktop Internet Phone for Skype a spin and liked what it found--I reviewed it here and also found it pretty slick.
• The Panasonic KX-WP1050 made Computerworld's list of 10 great Wi-Fi gadgets for work and play.

In Other News...

• Skyping the election--the US presidential election is certainly heating up following Friday's first debate between the candidates. It's been really interesting to watch how the candidates have been using technology as a part of their campaigns; this article in Forbes discusses Skype's role
• Using Skype to run a language tutoring business.
• Keeping in touch with a girlfriend while off on an adventure and keeping up with grandparents via video.
• One for the offbeat file: a Skype song. Is it electronica? Ambient? I'm not sure, but I like it.

Here are some of the interesting places where Skype's been in the news recently:

Gear Notes

• The 3 Skypephone S2 is out in the UK and has been receiving some very favorable reviews. Peter noted a few video reviews on the main blog.
• Sony is getting ready to release an updated version of the PSP, the PSP-3000, which has a built-in mic so you can Skype on it without a headset. It's expected to be out in October.

Back to School

• Skype is a great way for college students to keep in touch with family when they're away from home--the Philips VOIP151 Travel Phone for Skype and Ipevo Free.2 both made it on Computerworld's list of 15 great gadgets for the back-to-school crowd.
• Teachers are using Skype to teach music, languages, and for remote learning generally.
• The directors of aquariums in France and California are using Skype to show kids some cool fish spawning rituals.

Skype & War

• Yet another soldier has been using Skype in the Middle East keep in touch with family: "In the past we could only talk every couple of weeks," Melissa Wall said. "We've really been spoiled by Skype. It's made the last three months much more agreeable."
• A young American journalist was using Skype to stay in touch with his parents daily while he reported from Georgia.

Miscellanea

• Digital artists are using Skype to collaborate on blockbuster movies.
• Skype can be the 'virtual water cooler' for your virtual office.
• Members of the Peace Corps are using Skype to stay in touch with far away family.

In my last post I mentioned how I was taking a flight on American Airlines and would have an opportunity to test out the Gogo Inflight Internet from Aircell (and see if I could get Skype working on it of course). Well unfortunately my plan was foiled (foiled!) because instead of a single long flight from the east coast to the west coast of the US, I had to fly through Chicago, meaning both planes were relatively small and weren't equipped with Gogo service. It may have been for the best though--Aircell is not happy about people making calls over their service. Alas, if you take a Gogo-equipped flight and are able to get Skype working over a VPN, do let us know in the comments.

My trip was not a total disaster in the Skype department though--on my return flight on United, the August issue of their Hemispheres Magazine had a full page feature on Skype gear. It's nothing we haven't covered on this blog before (Skype on PSP, Plantronics .Audio 910 Headset, Nokia N810 Internet Tablet, Panasonic KX-WP1050, Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000), but it's still nice to see Skype in a mainstream magazine like this. Here's a scan of the page (click to make it larger):

Earlier this week, American Airlines began offering in-flight WiFi on domestic flights in the US. This is great news for business travelers clearly, but it's also nice for the rest of us who need our regular fix of email, news and YouTube during what would otherwise be dead time. However the service provider, Aircell, is blocking Skype and other VoIP services; this article suggests that it's because 'phone calls' are prohibited by law on flights, not differentiating between calls over the internet and calls over mobile phones.

What a bummer. Skype would be ideal on a flight (so long as you're not being loud and obnoxious and disrupting your neighbors), especially when those air-to-ground phones cost so much. There does seem to be at least one way to push voice over the network through flash, but I'd like to use Skype. So I got to thinking: Aircell does say that it supports VPNs, virtual private networks that allow employees to appear as though they're on their company's network. VPNs usually mask traffic--could Skype possibly work from behind a VPN?

Fortunately for me, I'm actually taking an American Airlines flight this week and do have access to a reliable VPN, so very shortly I'll be able to test my hypothesis and report back. But for now:

• Do you think Skype should be blocked on flights?
• Could there be a lack of bandwidth on the plane's connection to the internet (which I assume is via satellite)?
• Would chatting be annoying for other passengers? Would you find it annoying if someone was on the phone next to you during a flight?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

Photo by Yodel Anecdotal

It's the Olympics! I'm not a huge fan of traditional professional sports like football, but when the Olympics roll around I just can't stop watching--the passion and determination on display from these (mostly) amateur athletes is just amazing. I even bought a TV this year so I'd be able to catch all the BBC's coverage.

There have been quite a few stories of Olympians using Skype to stay in touch with family and friends while they compete in Beijing. I heard that Dan Walsh, a member of the US men's eight and friend from my rowing days, was using Skype on his Sony PSP to keep in touch, so last week I asked him a couple questions over email and he found the time to answer them amidst his preparations. Dan was an alternate for the US rowing squad in 2004 when the US men's eight won a gold medal; this year Dan will be going for gold in the Olympic final on Sunday.


Skype Gear: So Dan, how did you first hear about Skype?

Dan Walsh: A friend of mine told me about it when I was traveling over to Japan [for the 2005 Rowing World Championships] so I figured I would give it a try.

SG: Who are you talking with on Skype? Are you making free Skype-to-Skype calls or calling phone numbers? Are you making video calls?

DW: I am usually just talking to family using phone numbers when using Skype. I am waiting to get a new MacBook with built-in camera then I will start the video calls.

SG: Do you just use Skype on your computer, or do you ever use it on a hardware device like a cell phone, wifi phone or Nokia internet tablet?

DW: I use my computer but while here in the Olympics I am using my PSP, which is awesome. As long as I have a wireless signal I can make calls and it sounds great.

SG: Do you schedule your calls with family and friends? Does the time difference affect when you talk?

DW: No scheduling is necessary. The 12 hour difference makes it easy.

SG: Have you used Skype to stay in touch when you've been away at international races in the past?

DW: I have used Skype for the past four years whenever I go overseas. My best use for Skype was when I broke my cell phone and I couldn't get a new one for about 4 days. I was concerned about not being able to call anyone but then I remembered "I have skype" and was able to check my voicemail, return calls, the whole nine.

SG: What's the most outrageous thing you've said (or done) over Skype?

DW: Just some dirty SMS messages to my girlfriend while in Germany.

SG: Who's the first person you'll call on Skype after winning the gold?

DW: My father.


Thanks to Dan for taking the time to answer my questions, and best of luck to him and the rest of his crew in their final, which is at 17:30 Beijing time on Sunday.

A smattering of links this Friday, about

Skype at the Olympics

• Dara Torres, the 41-year-old American swimmer, uses Skype to talk to her 2-year-old daughter every day from Beijing
• Members of the US Water Polo and Soccer teams are also using Skype to stay in touch with far away family and friends

Gear Notes

• Technology blogger Om Malik likes the Ipevo Skype Desktop phone.
• A new version of Skype for Windows Mobile Professional (the one with the touchscreen) is out that works on WM 6.1.

Love over Skype

• Couples use Skype to stay in touch over long distances when they can't afford to travel
• Skype enables a soldier to see more family while on leave from Iraq

Usage Tips

• The Orlando Sentinel shows how to use Skype and Pamela to save voicemails you've received on your mobile phone for posterity
• The Motley Fool UK offers tips on saving money with Skype when you're traveling
• The Grouse at PopSci is pleased when he replaces his landline with Skype

Miscellanea

• Mike Bartlett, Skype's director of product management, talks about where Skype is going in an interview on TechRadar, touching on the 3 Skypephone, High Quality Video and other topics
• Skype is used to facilitate classroom discussions with authors

Laptop guarding cat iz suspicious. Photo by gillicious.

Here's a story: Man visits classroom. Man steals instructor's MacBook Pro computer, becomes Thief. Instructor is a Skype user, has Skype set to automatically answer all incoming calls and turn on built-in webcam. Instructor calls computer. Thief appears on screen, is identified and eventually arrested.

It sounds a bit implausible (and stupid on the thief's part), but it's a true story. It happened earlier this year at Utah Valley University. Michael Birkeland, an actor who has appeared in several low budget films, had visited an art instructor's class in April, and after class the laptop disappeared. Fortunately for the instructor, he had Skype installed and running, and when he called his computer he saw Birkeland on his screen. Birkeland covered the camera and refused to give the laptop back directly, and eventually was arrested.

It's a nice Skype story (thanks to Skype Journal for spotting it), but it makes me wonder what a person without Skype set to automatically answer (or facing a smarter criminal) could do if his or her laptop was stolen.

Continue reading "Skype to the Rescue" »

Want to be able to import all the numbers in your mobile into Skype, so you can call them easily using a Skype unlimited calling plan or pay as you go Skype credit? Andrey Goltsov did, so he created SkypeSync, a Skype Extra that allows SyncML-compatible phones (most European mobiles and some US mobiles) to import their contact lists into Skype.

It isn't exactly automatic--you need to make an account at ZYB (a free synchronization server) and after installing the Extra you need to follow a rather detailed set of instructions. And SkypeSync isn't free--it costs 12 euros (you can purchase it in the Skype Extras Manager using Skype credit)--though you can use it in trial mode to import 15 contacts.

Once you have your mobile contacts in Skype, you'll likely save money by calling them using Skype credit or a Skype unlimited calling plan rather than your mobile all the time. I know I do when I'm calling family and friends in the US from London. You could also use Skype for your mobile from your mobile to save on international calls. You can learn more about SkypeSync here, and read an interview that Andrey Goltsov recently did with Skype Journal here.

You may have already heard about the Skype Nomad--intrepid Australian Rebecca Campbell is travelling the world for 33 days, only sleeping while on the move, blogging about her trip, and raising money for charity (Motivation). She's using Skype to stay in touch and plan parts of her trip (you can send her recommendations and tips--she's 'theskypenomad').

In addition to all her travelling and photo-taking and blog writing, Rebecca's been writing a column in the UK's Telegraph. But one thing that she hasn't mentioned yet is the full list of gear she's carrying. There are tons of ways to use Skype on the go, but Rebecca is perhaps taking it to the extreme--when you're constantly on the move, light gear is of utmost importance.

Here's her full list:

• 3 Skypephone
• Nokia N810 Internet Tablet
• Nokia N95 8GB (for Skype for your mobile)
• PSP and headset
• Macbook Air (with 3 USB broadband dongle)
• Solar powered battery charger
• Panasonic HD Video camera
• Canon IXUS 70 (SD1000) Digital camera

She's got some neat stuff with her--and with the 3 Skypephone and 3 broadband dongle she can get online really easily whenever she's in a 3 territory. Still, she's already found that WiFi isn't exactly ubiquitous and you can't always be connected.

Rebecca's going to be passing through the UK later on her trip, and I'm going to try to be one of the many meeting up with her when she's stopping at Skype's office in London. Do you have any questions you'd like me to ask Rebecca? Leave 'em in the comments.

Caught a neat bit of unconventional Skype Gear this week--David Bue Pedersen has created a "a DIY instant messenger online contact signalizer picture frame thingy" which works pretty much as described--it lets him see who's on Skype in a physical, visual way as he lounges across the room getting fanned and fed grapes. Or doing whatever he, um, normally does.

David used polycarbonate to make a picture frame for five photos, and backlit each photo with a LED. Then using some circuit wizardry and the Skype API, he got the LEDs talking to Skype and lighting up when the person in the photo is online. Pretty neat.

If you're of the Do-It-Yourself / Make Magazine persuasion, you can make your own light-up frame for up to 22 people--David provides schematics. More info (and some other cool DIY projects) on David's site here.

I recently came across a nice blog post from John McArthur, a venture capitalist, mentioning how he uses Skype to speak to people at startups for free or cheap. Technology has developed quite a bit since John attended the 1964 World's Fair in New York. Back then AT&T debuted its Picturephone, which allowed video calls over standard phonelines way before computers were commonplace. I wanted to find out a bit more about the Picturephone and see how different it could possibly be from High Quality Video on Skype. How different are they? Wow. Read on to see what I found.

Continue reading "Flashback 1964: Low Quality Video" »

Have you ever made a Skype call and then just kept the line open, so you could talk (or not talk) to a friend or loved one for as long as you wanted? Because Skype-to-Skype calls are always free, the conversation never has to end--and with video it's like having a window into what your companion is doing, whether he or she is talking to you or not.

I've heard of people having these sorts of lingering Skype conversations before--it was a couple who kept a video window open all day at work to say hi and smile at each another. This week I caught another example in a blog post by Roo Reynolds, who not only coined a term for this sort of connection ('Ambient Skype') but also provided a photo of a nap he was taking in the US while his wife was going to sleep in the UK. Aww. Roo said:

I found this to be very comforting. It’s rather reassuring to drift off with the familiarity of hearing each other breathing and (for me) the everyday noises of home in the background. A nice way to reduce the distance during a long trip abroad. I don’t know why we didn’t try it sooner.

You can read his whole blog post here. Have you ever used Skype to provide an open window into your life for a far away friend or loved one? Tell us in the comments.

Earlier this week Oprah took to the internet for a live classroom-style discussion with author Eckhart Tolle about his book A New Earth. Over 500,000 people went online at the same time on Monday evening to watch, and over 242 Gbps of information was transferred (according to Harpo Productions, Oprah's company). Using High Quality Video on Skype, several participants were able to ask questions and speak directly with Oprah and Eckhart.

Having so many people connected to the same streaming video did lead to some (non-Skype-related) technical difficulties (which Howard mentioned on the new Skype US blog)--hopefully they'll be sorted out quickly as the webinar series is scheduled to run for 9 more week (every Monday at 21:00 EST / 02:00 GMT). You can learn more about the series here, and watch or download the first lesson here (though beware: the iPod-formatted download clocks in at over a gigabyte). It's also on iTunes.

This isn't the first time that Skype's been used in a 'television-related' capacity. It's been used in Canada for CityTV and the CBC, in Germany, in Brazil, and in the US for Tom Green's show.

If you're a budding broadcaster, check out these excellent tips for getting great audio quality out of Skype during interviews from Doug Kaye and Paul Figgiani of The Conversations Network.

A veritable smorgasbord (or smörgåsbord even) of Skype Gear-related news and reviews this Friday.

Some recent hardware reviews:

- IPEVO Trio
- SMC WiFi Phone for Skype WSKP100
- Skype on PSP

And in the news

- How to Video
- Video Visits
- Online Etiquette

Get the full rundown after the jump...

Continue reading "Gear News Roundup" »

While the majority of recent Skype news has been about a more serious topic, there have been several stories related to Skype Gear in school, work, home and software contexts over the past few days that are worth sharing.

1. Skype at School: Language Learning
2. Skype at Work: Business Traveller
3. Skype at Home: Video Roundup
4. Skype with Software: Mashable Enhancement Roundup

Continue reading "Skypegear News Roundup" »

Last week Skype 3.5 for Windows came out--one of the neat features it adds is better integration with video. You can share videos from Dailymotion and Metacafe in your mood message and in text chats, and they'll play back in the Skype client. This is great, but sometimes the videos you want to share aren't on either of those services. If that's the case, I'd like to share a work-around you might want to check out.

Continue reading "Tip: Share Video in Skype 3.5 From Any Site" »

It's been thoroughly covered around the web, but is certainly worth mentioning here--this week the American Federal Communications Commission set its rules for the upcoming auction of 700 MHz radio space in the US, which can be used for wireless data and voice. The FCC decided that open devices and open applications are a requirement on the network (as long as bidding for the space goes above $4.6 billion dollars). This means that the winner of the auction cannot mandate which devices are allowed to use the network and which applications are allowed to run on those devices.

This will hopefully mean that when these devices emerge (it will be a while; the auction doesn't start until January 2008), they can run Skype--certainly an exciting development. Skype has been advocating open applications and access on the wireless internet since this past February when it filed a petition with the FCC to to confirm a consumer’s right to use Internet communications software and attach whatever devices he or she wants to wireless networks.

While the decision isn't a complete win for champions of openness (it doesn't require that third parties get access to the networks at fair wholesale rates, which gives incumbent telecom companies motivation to bid high to keep newcomers--like Google--out), it is certainly a step in the right direction for getting Skype wherever and whenever you want it in the US. You can read official statements from Skype and eBay here on Skype Journal.

Five recent bits of Skype Gear and Skype-related miscellanea rounded up on the internets:

1. A Mini-review of the Netgear SPH200D
2. A Frugal Skype Overview
3. A Mac Hardware-Skype Experience
4. A Series of Tubes: The Internet
5. A Catastrophe! The internet crashes.

Continue reading "Skypegear Roundup: 5 bits of miscellanea" »

One reminder and two notes of interest:

###Contest!

Don't forget about the Skypegear Haiku Contest -- last day for entries is June 12. Write us a haiku about Skype and the gear you use to Skype for the chance to win a Sony VAIO Mouse Talk VN-CX1. Full info here. We've gotten some pretty good entries so far. Keep them coming!

###Netgear!

On the heels of the Netgear news yesterday, American users of Netgear's SPH101 WiFi phone should have a look at the latest firmware update, posted yesterday. It adds the ability to log onto T-Mobile hotspots across the US. Do note that it won't work at T-Mobile hotspots outside the US, and you need to have already established a paid account with T-Mobile before trying it out--you can't sign up from the handset.

###Video!

And finally, remember the Skype coverage on The Lab with Leo we posted recently? Well, last week Skype was featured on another newscast, this time New York City's Fox 5. It's a nice little segment, though be warned it has a bit of that sensationalism that American local news is known for. Like the previous segment, it's especially good for showing to people who like saving money but aren't familiar with Skype yet. The video is online here.

I've been a fan of Leo Laporte's for quite a while now--I'm a regular listener to This Week in Tech, the weekly podcast he hosts. So I thought it was pretty cool that Leo talked about Skype on the first episode of his new TV show, The Lab with Leo, and is using Skype on the set to engage with viewers. Check out a clip from the show after the jump.

Continue reading "Skype Tips on The Lab with Leo Laporte" »

In case you missed it, there’s been some interesting news out of Skypeland this week: the introduction of Caller ID for SkypeIn numbers (for some countries) and the release of the final version of Skype 3.2 for Windows. What does this mean for gadget lovers? Read on.

Continue reading "Caller ID & Skype 3.2" »

  

Well the eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted that Skypegear's got a new blogger on board: so a big Skypegear welcome for Andrew Brennan who is going to be working alongside me.

Andrew hails from Philadelphia and will be working out of the US initially. He's hoping to move back to the UK pretty soon - presumably for the climate, excellent cuisine and to experience London's housing crisis first-hand.

The last few weeks he's been covering some of the phones and other hardware which we've managed to miss on the blog, but look out for more from Andrew coming up. A bit of background: As well as being a Skype freak, Andrew is a world-class rower, having won a bronze medal at the world championships, and is currently training for his first marathon. He's also a self-confessed pop snob, which is an oxymoron if ever I heard one .

His favourite Skype gadget is Netgear SPH200D phone we recently reviewed. His other 'desert-island gadget' (assuming an island with some kind of solar-powered charger and also a satellite-based internet connection of some sort, of course) would be his Creative Muvo V100 MP3 player which he describes as "perfect for workouts".

Please give Andrew a warm welcome and feel free to say hi and post any questions you may have for him to this post.

If the smooth lines of the slinky Futiro Skype phones Skypegear reviewed last week don't fit in to your beautiful 19th century manor house's decor, what should you do? Well, of course there are already a few retro Skype phones and handsets available such as the Hulger P*Phone, but if you really want to go the whole hog, then the fantastic Instructables blog may have just the thing - a DIY Old Timey Skype Phone.

Continue reading "How to make your own old-time Skype phone..." »

If you're a US Skype user, you may have already noticed that the US Skype Store has had a thorough makeover. Whilst most of these home makeover shows suggest neutral colours and well-placed scatter cushions on the sofas, you'll be pleased to hear that Skype have instead gone for a more intuitive navigation, the ability to search by product or category and lots of shiny green rainbows.

With the new site comes a host of new money-off offers for the US as well, including $50 off SMC's Skype Wifi phone package (which includes a FON router, loads of Skype call minutes and Skype voicemail for a year), free shipping on orders over $50, and $40 off the Netgear SPH200D cordless Skype phone. In addition there's $30 off the Logitech® QuickCam® Pro 5000, $10 off the Logitech® Premium USB Headset 350, and $10 off the D-Link DPH-50U Skype USB Phone Adaptor.

There's also a whole load of Skype kit on the site that was previously not available, and so Skypegear's going to take the opportunity over the next few weeks to review some of the kit which (through, I guess, nothing less than sheer and blind negligence), we've managed to miss over the last few months.

US company Digital River are behind the new site, and will also be handling the logistics behind the scenes. For more details, just visit the store here.

   

Estimates suggest that in the UK alone there are around 9 million people with some kind of hearing impairment, and that up to 4 million of those people use hearing aids or have cochlear implants.

For these people, Skype can offer a really useful way of being able to communicate cheaply and easily through multiple channels, be it voice, text, video or some of the extra ways of communicating in Skype 3.

Continue reading "Which Skype phones are Hearing Aid Compatible?" »

Happy Christmas!

Skypegear's taking a little break until the New Year. And it sounds like we're going to need it - with CES just round the corner, you can bet that there will be a flurry of announcements from Skype's hardware partners to keep us busy over January and beyond...

So please enjoy the holidays, and if you do get a Skype phone under the tree, why not send us a picture?? The best picture will get another Skype phone so you can give one to your brother/sister/best friend/boss so that they are always just a Skype call away. Just send the photos over to skypegear@skype.com.

In the meantime, check out the Weemee site, where you can make yourself a lovely "virtual you" for all your Skype buddies, decked out in as much Christmas clobber as you fancy.

All the best, and here's to 2007!

Now there have been suggestions in the past that US President and most powerful man on the planet George W Bush isn't a huge telephone user, but hopefully that's about to change.

During the usual exchanging of gifts during Bush's visit to Estonia yesterday, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip presented the US Commander-in-chief with the latest in telephonic chic: the Philips VOIP841 Skype/DECT phone.

Continue reading "George Bush gets a Skype phone from the Estonian PM" »

 

I mentioned earlier that there had been sitings of a Skype bus travelling the length and breadth of Spain, and we now have a positive sighting, in the Millionaire's paradise of Marbella.

Continue reading "All aboard the Skype bus..." »

FON invited Skype along to share their stand at SIMO last week, providing a platform for Skype to showcase a few of the latest Skype-certified phones to the great and the good attending the show in Madrid.

Continue reading "Skype and FON: El amor verdadero..." »

It's one of those simple questions, just like "Do penguins have knees?".  British newspaper The Independent asked just this question this Sunday (the telephone one, not the penguin one), and I thought it was worth suggesting a few good reasons of my own, as well as hopefully getting a few more from all of you Skypers.

The case for using Skype itself is pretty clear I think: free or very cheap calls, coupled with chat, video, cheap SMS and other features.

However, most PCs and laptops come equipped with some kind of mic and speakers, so why spend the extra on handsets, speakerphones or other such peripherals? Continue reading "Why buy an internet telephone?" »

Niklas Zennström's comments in our interview last week about the many different chargers and other hardware you need as a business traveller got me thinking. Obviously it's not such a problem for Skypers as most Skype phones can be simply charged through your PC's USB port, but as more and more Skype phones begin to work independently of your PC, it's an interesting question.

So here's a roundup of some current and upcoming ways to avoid having to carry around dozens of chargers for all your electronic devices, to make sure you can keep talking when you're on the move.

Continue reading "How to leave all those chargers at home..." »

I came across something today that you don't see very often: online retailer Amperordirect.com have a great blog which lets them communicate directly with their customers. And rather than just using it for bland corporate communications, there's a real sense in the blog of their passion and knowledge for Skype hardware.

Continue reading "Amperor, or, How to Communicate with your Customers the Skype Way" »

Welcome to Skype Gear!

The aim of Skype Gear is to provide a first port of call for information, opinion and discussion on lovely gadgets, devices, accessories and other things which let you get the most out of using Skype.

So for anything Skype-related that you can touch, see, hold or smell (ok, we're still waiting on the first Skype smellphone, but it's only a matter of time), this will be place to come.

Continue reading "Skype Gear is here!" »