skype - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• Skype still operating in China despite reports of ban

  Skype and other Internet phone services continue to operate in China days after media reports said the country's government was cracking down on them.

• Skype adds video-over-3G capabilities to its iPhone app

  Skype's free iPhone app now offers 3G video calls -- but Skype still recommends using Wi-Fi for best call quality

• Skype blames buggy Windows software, swamped servers for outage

  Promises to look into auto-updating its Windows client software to prevent another blackout
  

• Google extends free phone call offer for US Gmail users

  Gmail users in the U.S can continue call phones in North America and Canada for free after the new year, Google said in a blog post on Monday.

• Skype releases client for Nokia's N8

  Skype released an updated version of its Symbian client, which adds support for Nokia's N8, C7 and the E5, the company said in a blog post on Wednesday.

• Will videoconferencing replace the telephone?

  In a famous exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City, AT&T Bell Labs demonstrated the Picturephone Mod 1, a small, oval device with a camera and a screen that allowed two people to see each other while they talked over the telephone network. Six years later, the device was still in trials.

• Skype coming to Japanese cell phones

  Skype has tied up with one of Japan's largest telecommunications companies in a deal that will see its Internet telephony service offered on cell phones and to broadband, fixed line and cable TV customers.

• Skype and Facebook: UC on a shoestring

  With the launch of Skype 5.0 this week, the PC-based voice over IP (VoIP) and messaging service is now integrated with the Facebook social network. While neither Skype, nor Facebook are typically considered business platforms, the combination of the two offer many of the benefits and features of unified communications on a budget that small and medium businesses can appreciate: free.

• Facebook and Skype integrate their services

  Skype now allows its users to log into their Facebook accounts and perform a variety of Facebook tasks from within the Skype interface.

• Android hack enables 3G Skype calls

  Just a few short days ago, the official Skype application finally graced the Android Market. But to much dismay, the communications app lacked the ability to make 3G calls on certain carriers within the US.

• Skype for Android: A disappointing debut

  The headlines sure sound exciting, but hang on: Skype's long anticipated Android debut is no cause for celebration.

• Skype for Android now available on more smartphones

  Skype on Tuesday launched Skype for Android, its version of the VoIP software for all phones running on the Google Android operating system. The app, which had been exclusive to Verizon phones, is now available in the Android Market for any Android phone running version 2.1 or above of the OS. The app can make free Skype-to-Skype calls over 3G and WiFi, but if you are in the United States, you will be restricted to WiFi-only calling.

• Fring could beat Skype for low-cost Android calls

  Skype may finally be available to all Android users after months of Verizon-only exclusivity, but so is FringOut, an alternative contender that offers many features Skype doesn't.

• Skype for Android app now available for download

  Android smartphone owners can now download a free Skype client from the Android Market that will let them make voice calls over mobile data or Wi-Fi connections -- except in the U.S., where it will work over Wi-Fi only.

• Skype hires Cisco's Bates as CEO

  Skype has named Tony Bates as its next CEO, hiring him away from Cisco Systems, where he led some of the company's core businesses.