News, Events, Milestones

If you're in the market looking for a new job, knowing how to use Skype can give you an edge.

More and more companies are using Skype to interview prospective candidates to save on travel costs and time.

Check out this great article from TIME Magazine and accompany video on Time.com providing tips for making your job interview via Skype picture perfect.

NYC Fashion Week: the glitz, the glamour, the Skype video calls?! That's right; this Fashion Week, Skype will be in the mix.

Fashion designer Norma Kamali, a big Skype fan, has teamed up with us to offer one lucky fan the opportunity to view her OMO (On My Own) collection Fashion Week presentation on September 17 via Skype video call. The contest winner will also be able to ask Norma a question about the collection and win one of her coveted "all-in-one" garments.

Feeling lucky? Get into the front row by entering the contest. Rules and entry instructions can be found here.

This contest is just the latest move by Norma to give access to the often exclusive world of fashion via technology.

She told us, "I believe in the democratization of fashion and technology is accelerating this process. I am grateful that I can utilize Skype, the Internet communications software that connects millions of people around the world, to bring one fan into my show and let them experience the excitement that is Fashion Week in NYC."

We're excited, too, that we can partner with Norma to allow a Skype user an insider's view into a world that most fashion lovers don't get to experience.

For those fans who don't win the contest, but still want to view Norma's Fashion Week presentation and will be in NYC on September 17, they can stop by the Apple store in Soho (located at 103 Prince Street) and see the show live. A podcast of the presentation will also be available for download via the iTunes store in the weeks following the show.

At Skype, we think we do a pretty good job of helping connect people all over the world. It's one thing to give ourselves a pat on the back - it's another when someone else does it. That's why we're thrilled that Skype was included in the TIME.com's list of the 50 Best Websites of 2009.

Described as a list of the 50 top websites that are 'indispensable', the write-up states that 'VoIP has the power to turn an Internet connection into a videophone. For the average user, Skype is the best VoIP.'

And we're inclined to agree

Skype has just launched its website in Russian.

Check it out.

Starting in the third quarter, High-end Nokia N-series phones, running the Symbian S60 operating system, will come with Skype calling and instant messaging out-of-the box via 3G and WiFi. the companies announced Tuesday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Scott Durchslag, Skype's chief operating officer, described the deal in the main blog.

He said: "It's a meeting of two great innovators and two great brands - the world's largest and most distinctive mobile manufacturer, and the world's leading communications software company. Together, we're going to develop and deliver a great mobile Skype experience that meets the needs of our many users who are also Nokia customers. It will also bring Skype to new mobile users in both developed and emerging markets."

He said Skype will be deeply integrated into the device's address book, "and calling using Skype will be very simple - it will be part of the phone's operating system, rather than a separate application, making it quicker and easier to start a Skype call or send an instant message."

Beginning in the third quarter, Skype will come pre-installed on new Nokia N97 devices, and existing N97 owners will also be able to get Skype functionality through a firmware update.

Downloadable versions of Skype already are available for the Android platform and more than 100 Java-enabled mobiles from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, Motorola and LG, as well as Windows Mobile devices. More than 11 million copies of Skype for Windows Mobile have been downloaded. Skype is adding SMS and File Transfer features as well.

Durschlag said: "Clearly, the mobile industry is at an inflection point. This year will see software and content owners, device manufacturers and mobile operators looking at more ways to work together. What has traditionally been a relationship separated by walls, will increasingly be about an open, collaborative relationship and the common need to work together. The faster this can happen, the better."

David Bill is a history teacher and director of academic technology at Worcester (Mass.) Academy.

He and 11 high school students will attend the inauguration of Barack Obama next week in Washington, D.C. But they plan to share their trip with students back home.

Using Skype, Twitter, Flickr and Youtube, they will be providing students at Worcester with a front-row seat of history.

In this Video, Bill describes how he plans to use Skype Video, setting up laptops with wireless cards, webcams and tripods, to share interviews with people and views of the inauguration parade route.

You can follow the students at their online HQ.

Any schools that might want to connect with the project can reach the Worcester Academy students on Skype at wainauguration

He can be reached at david.bill@worcesteracademy.org

Don Lee was holding up an ashtray made from a "25-pounder," a British artillery shell.

The Normal, Ill. man received the shell from his Dutch friend Chris Vries after World War II. Lee served in the 84th infantry, the first battle group to push out of Holland.

I called Don to wish him a Happy 90th birthday. I had met his daughter Pat Lee at a writer's conference in Chicago. Pat told me that her dad is a Skype fan.

Don was sharing his memories with me via Skype Video. He said being able to do the show-and-tell is one of the "great things" about Skype.

Don, a retired marketing executive from Downstate Illinois, is a "silver surfer," a senior who uses technology to stay in touch with his family, which has spread around the country--from Chicago to Ft. Collins, Colo. and Newport, R.I.

And then there's granddaughter, Allison Gardiner, 20, a junior studying design and landscape architecture at Cornell University, who is spending the year in Europe. To stay in touch with Ally, Don decided to download and use Skype and add a web camera. He talks with Ally once a week on Skype.

At a 90th celebration, about 50 friends and family members gathered at Don's home, where he connected on Skype with Ally, who happened to be in Paris--that's Paris, France, not Paris, Ill.

Pat Lee noted that following her father's example: "Now several family members have it. So far, we've used it a handful of times and have had one family conference call that included several of us. We're thrilled with it."

Don said he remembers hearing years ago about video phones and is excited that he is able to use one to stay in touch.

Chris Vries, who made Don's Jeep combat ready in World War II, died a few years ago. Don noted that Ally is planning to visit Chris' family members in Holland.

Hope they can connect with Don on Skype.

One month ago, Skype celebrated its fifth anniversary.

On Sunday, the software company hit another milestone: the billionth download of Skype software.

CEO Josh Silverman noted at the main blog:

"A few minutes ago, something pretty cool happened. Someone, somewhere in the world, downloaded the billionth copy of Skype.

"It took us three and a half years, from August 2003 to February 2007, to reach the 500 million download mark, and then just 19 months for another 500 million copies to be downloaded. That's a pretty dizzying feat for a five-year old-software company, and one that we're all very proud of."

Silverman said Skype isn't resting on its laurels:

"Our ambition to make Skype available on as many devices as possible...bringing people closer to their friends, loved ones and colleagues - anywhere in the world; at work, home or play; and on any device.

"Here's to the next billion."

OneWebDay , patterned after Earth Day for the Internet eco-system, will be celebrated on Monday (Sept. 22) with events all over the planet to focus attention this year on the value of online participation in democracy, to focus on local Internet concerns and to create a global constituency to protect the Net.

With Ohio being one of the key battlegrounds for 2008, it's only appropriate that the two presidential campaigns will be participating in a OneWebDay event starting at 10:30 a.m. EDT in Cincinnati, sponsored by Media Bridges , Cincy's media arts & education center, which provides the education, equipment and environment to assist people in communicating effectively through media.

And Skype will be in the center of the action.

Christopher Libertelli, Skype's senior director of government & regulatory affairs, explains how:

"Skype's goal is to enable conversations. In this case, we're enabling a conversation between the two Presidential campaigns about the future of the Internet.

"This is the first time that I know of that campaigns are using a technology like Skype, which is emblematic of the fight for an open Internet. On Monday, you will have both Republicans and Democrats using the same technology to have a conversation about the laws and regulations that would govern the future of the Internet. It's a tangible example of what's at stake."

Gigi Sohn, president and co-founder of Public Knowledge will speak on behalf of Senator Obama's campaign. Michael Powell, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, will represent Senator McCain's camp.

In an interview, Libertelli provided some perspective on the campaigns' tech policies.

Skype USA: Net Neutrality is one of the key differences between the candidates? What is Net Neutrality?
Libertelli: Net Neutrality is about whether we're going to have an open Internet or a closed Internet, meaning whether we're going to have laws where phone companies and cable operators can decide what kind of traffic gets onto the Internet, or whether we're going to have laws that prevent cable and phone companies from deciding which kind of Web traffic goes fast or slow or which is favored or disfavored.

Skype has a clear position on Net Neutrality. We want a non-discrimination rule that protects the Skype experience on the Internet.

Skype USA: Isn't this issue bigger than Skype?
Libertelli: It's industry-wide. Absolutely. The question of innovation on the Web includes Skype; but it is also much bigger than Skype.

For the last year and a half, Skype has been advocating applying openness rules to the wireless Web. Right now, mobile phone companies block the Skype experience on cell phones.

Skype USA: Wasn't the FCC divided on this?
Libertelli: The FCC is still considering Skype's petition to open up mobile phones.

Skype USA: We're talking about the Presidential campaign here. Is this only a big deal for Skype? Why should consumers care?
Libertelli: This is an important issue for the consumer. The issue of Net Neutrality is one where there are some pretty stark differences between the McCain approach and the Obama approach. I cannot say that Net Neutrality is as important as an energy policy, financial market regulation or some of the other things that the Presidential candidates are talking about. But it is one of the most important technology policy issues that both campaigns are thinking about.

Skype USA: The Obama campaign very clearly states that they're in favor of Net Neutrality and McCain states the opposite.
Libertelli: What will be interesting is to hear the McCain and Obama people talking about openness using Skype. This is a moment where people can see what's at stake. The issue is whether these kinds of conversations will be blocked by the network operators.

Skype USA: Which candidate supports a rule to stop blocking if it occurs?
Libertelli: Obama proposes a rule that would make that practice illegal. It is a question for the McCain campaign: Does their stance block the blockers? Does it allow for these Skype conversations to happen on the Internet?

Skype USA: Why does McCain take this position?
Libertelli: The current telecom policy is a deregulatory policy. The question is whether we're going to have a continuation of these deregulatory policies or whether voters want change and a movement away from deregulation in telecom.

Skype USA: Doesn't the public sometimes need regulation?
Libertelli: Recent events on Wall Street suggest that safeguards to protect consumers may be necessary.

Skype USA: Are we seeing a backlash toward a pro-regulation age?
Libertelli: I think we're heading back to an efficient regulation age.

Skype USA: So maybe I'll finally be able get a 3 Skypephone mobile phone and make a call on Skype in the U.S. as I recently did in the U.K.?
Libertelli: That's where the rubber meets the road. Our openness policy is designed to make Skype available to U.S. consumers so they can make free calls. That is what this is about for us. It's to create a situation where you can go out and buy an unlocked GSM phone and access to the Internet, download Skype and off you go.

There have been some baby steps towards more openness. There have been press releases from wireless operators. We filed a lletter last week with the FCC that made it clear that if the Commission thought that the wireless industry was going to speed toward a broad policy of openness, they may have been mistaken.

Skype USA: Should we vote for president on the basis of Net Neutrality?
Libertelli: In part.

Skype USA: Where else do the campaigns differ? What about broadband policy?
Libertelli: There are some differences there. In order to have an open Internet, you have to have access to the Internet in the first place. People in rural areas need help getting onto the Internet at affordable rates.

Senator Obama has proposed a way of funding broadband Internet service to those areas by using the Universal Service Fund, an enormous pot of money that is used to keep phone service affordable in rural areas. It's phone-centric funding. Sen. Obama wants to repurpose that money and make it friendlier for broadband services.

It appears that Senator McCain's approach is more skeptical that the fund should be used for rural broadband. His approach is different. He has proposed some tax credits that would be used by companies to roll out broadband.

To take this discussion up a level, the purpose of OneWebDay is to bring activists, academics and entrepreneurs around the planet together and celebrate the Internet for one day and to focus on Net Neutrality for one day, so policymakers can see that there is a constituency out there that cares about openness on the Internet. We're going to see that on Monday when there is a conversation between the two campaigns that is facilitated by Skype.

Skype USA: By the way, has Skype made contributions to either of these campaigns?
Libertelli: Skype doesn't have a PAC (Political Action Committee). Skype isn't an entity that can make political contributions.

On the main blog, CEO Josh Silverman shares his reflections on the past and his vision of Skype's future--on Skype's 5th Birthday.

He tips his hat to Skype founders Niklas Zennström, Janus Friis and the original Estonian programmers: "They simply couldn't have predicted where this journey would take them and millions of others - who, among them, have clocked up more than 100 billion Skype-to-Skype minutes. Visionary foresight is one thing. But expecting Skype to have touched close to 350 million users by year five, to have enabled billions of conversations, enriched and even enabled millions of relationships, and along the way to have helped transform one of the largest industries in the world? That would have been downright delusional."

He says: "When I think of the future, I think of Skype as liquid communication. Instead of being condemned to a frozen shape like the telephone, it will flow into any device whenever you want and wherever you are. And, like water can turn into ice or steam, Skype can shift its form to match what you need at the moment: from voice to video to IM to SMS to filesharing.

"Skype blurs the line between the real and the virtual. It bends space and cuts through time. Today, when a conversation wants to be had, technology is not the bottleneck. But technology isn't the goal either. There's no question in my mind about what stands at the heart of the communication revolution. So, as we celebrate the first five years of Skype, let's raise a toast to the human desire to connect."

Back in late 1995, I was new on the tech beat at the Chicago Sun-Times.

I asked to cover the Net because I was tired of the medical beat. My bosses knew I was an early Net adopter so they set me loose to cover the emerging tech. I cover the pre-boom Internet, the dot-com boom and the dot-bomb, and then on to Web 2 and beyond before I left the paper in January.

Voice on the Net was among the technologies that intrigued me back then and does to this day, both personally and as Skype's US blogger.

The problem back in those days was you couldn't easily connect with friends and family. It was a bit like ham radio.

I remember using some early tech and speaking with a guy who claimed to be on a hammock on a Hawaiian beach. Another guy claimed to be in Austria. So they said.
Then, new tech came along, with an interface resembling a cell phone, that enabled you to put your IP address in as a substitute for a phone number.

It was a step in the right direction. But it was hard to get those friends and family on the line unless they were nerds.

There were always problems with sound quality. Echo. Echo. We were still on dial-ups modems in those days.

The big breakthrough came with broadband service. And of course Skype arrived five years ago and changed the game.

Regular audio calling is a great leap forward with Skype, with hi-fi sound quality. You can use cordless Wi-Fi phones so you don't even need your computer on to make a call. And you can make Skype calls over a regular phone; so you don't have to use headsets (though personally I prefer them).

Plus, you can use SkypeOut to connect at reasonable rates with people on old-fashioned phones. Video Calling on Skype will expand horizons further as people become accustomed to seeing the people with whom they are speaking.

Skype, with its low rates, has expanded my world, enabling me to do interviews with sources around the world for international and domestic publications. If I had to pay standard phone rates, I wouldn't be able to afford to do some of the work I do, interviewing people in Europe, Africa, South America, Australia and Asia.

Skype, which on Aug. 29th is five years old, has changed my world--and I hope yours--for the better over the past five years.

The barriers of cost that once made global calling prohibitive are falling in the Skype world.
Thanks to Skype calling and IM, I am in touch with friends and family in Western and Eastern Europe, Australia and the Middle East. While in Peru earlier this summer, I helped new friends call their families back in the US; they were thrilled, grinning ear to ear.

As I rode on a bus to Stonehenge recently, I was chatting on a 3 Skypephone to a friend in Tucson. In London, I talked on the wireless phone to a friend back in Chicago. I hope this will come to the USA, along with other mobile technologies

More changes will be coming as the technology expands and improves.
Happy 5th Birthday, Skype. Many happy returns.

Phil Wolff at Skype Journal is observing the fifth anniversary of Skype with a series: "What Skype Means to Me."

Here's a sampler:

Bill Vick, co-author of "Linkedin for Recruiting" said Skype "opened up new worlds to me and the many others I network with." He uses Skype Video to interview thought leaders in his field. Having conducted 60 interviews, he found that his subjects, most of whom were new to Skype, had no problem learning the technology. In fact, he said: "Without exception they are all incorporating Skype video into their business model."

He said some of his interviews have generated thousands of views.

Andrew Y Ng, of San Francisco, writes how he started using Skype to talk with his girlfriend who was in London for the summer and then started using Skype for IM and for group chats. "I was amazed how I could get to know someone across the globe so well via Skype," he said. As vice president of technology at OnMyList.com, he used Skype group chat as a collaboration tool. Now as a freelance consultant, he and his partner in Washinton, D.C., get "70% of the work done together via Skypevoice chat and iChat screen sharing. We would have Skype voice chats for over 12 hours and it works flawlessly."

Ng concludes: "So what Skype means to me? It means staying closer to my closest friends and family, it means saving cost while running my own consulting practice, it means getting things done and collaborating effectively."

Keep watching Skype Journal's series.

We had the scoop last week.

Now TVWeek shares more details on how "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" is undergoing a "facelift," including use of Skype in expert lifelines.

TVWeek's Chris Pursell reported:

"Skype will provide an online video connection for the syndicated strip's new 'Ask the Expert' lifeline, where the contestant will be given access to experts on any question past the $1,000 level. "Millionaire" will aim to make available newsmakers, journalists, former "Millionaire" contestants, trivia champs, politicians, doctors, professors and others.

"Millionaire" executive producer Michael Davies told TVWeek: "Skype has proven to be the perfect partner for our new 'Ask the Expert' lifeline. With Skype, we've not only found an interesting and visually compelling way to offer contestants help in the hot seat, but we've done it in a really modern way, using new technology that's becoming increasingly popular."

Among the experts will be Bill Nye (airing Sept. 8-12) and Ogi Ogas, a former "Millionaire" contestant from Boston who walked away with $500,000 in winnings (airing Sept. 15-19).

"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," which ranks in top three game shows in syndication as it enters its seventh season, also is adding new graphics and a heightened tension level with the addition of a time limit for answers.

"Most successful game shows have changed and morphed their look over time, and I just think it was time for us to do the same thing," Davies said. "Our show was always designed to be the most modern game show on television, and the timing was right to take our unique format and look and evolve them into something even more exciting."

Leave a comment · View blog reactions

Link