Skype 1.0 Released, PocketSkype Gets PSTN Functionality

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=3109' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?contentid=3109</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20040727_skype1.jpg" /><br /><br />"Skype has announced the availability of its free Skype for Windows Version 1.0 software. Skype 1.0 includes SkypeOut, Skype's first commercial consumer offering, enabling Skype users to call any phone number in the world with pre-paid minutes. New beta versions of Skype for Linux and Skype for Pocket PC with the new SkypeOut feature are also available today. The new SkypeOut service offers global calling at local rates. The service allows Skype users to pre-pay and use their PC and Internet connections to call landlines and mobile phones anywhere in the world.<br /><br />The minimum pre-pay for SkypeOut is 10 Euro and call pricing starts at 1.7 Euro cents per minute, approximately $.02, for the 22 countries currently included in the Skype Global Rate. Outside the Global Rate, pricing varies by country. Pricing is subject to change. Skype 1.0 free features include conference calling, global directory, tracking, <b>file transfer</b> 8O and instant messaging."<br /><br />Skype is the most popular p2p VoIP solution, and getting out of beta is a big accomplishment. Although the big news is about Skype 1.0, PocketSkype gets quite a few updates as well, not least of which is a name change - it's now "Skype for PocketPC". Personally, I like PocketSkype better. ;) Updates include:<br /><br />• PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) functionality<br />• Conference calls (as non-host only)<br />• Receive contacts<br />• Avatars<br />• Ability to rename contacts<br />• A slew of bug fixes<br /><br />&lt;shameless plug>For those of you who'd like even MORE information about using your Pocket PC as a telephone replacement, stay tuned for a series of upcoming articles by yours truly.&lt;/shameless plug> :mrgreen: What do you think about this? How many Skype users do we have out there? What do you think about the file sharing aspect?

[dean_shan]

Very cool. I had a feeling Skype was going to do this. No one (corporation wise) makes a free application with no plan to make money off it later. Make somthing, get people hooked, charge for additional features. Not complaining though, two cents a minute is pretty cheep.

[dignow96]

Personally, I'm just glad there are still free features available. I use it significantly to contact my remote offices in Iraq and other regional countries where I've been anble to get an internet connection (satellite) but not a stable phone line. The file transfer option gives it another facet but if you want to swap music/movies/whatever illegally there are dozens of other ways to do it so I'm sure how big an impact that will be. I haven't downloaded the new release but as soon as I get done here I plan to. Will let y'all know what I think after I get to kick it around awhile.

[arebelspy]

I'm confused.. why is the file transfer such a big deal? Every IM client has this (AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ).. Skype is basically half an IM client (has all the text IMing stuff) with voice capabilities (which a lot of other IM clients have as well, including AIM, Yahoo, etc).. I'd be a lot more shocked if it didn't have file transfer..

-arebelspy

[k_kirk]

The p2p aspect for VoIP did not bother me so I left Skype running on my PC all the time although I used it very iregularly. Now that they have bundled file sharing, I feel nervous about running Skype all the time for 2 reasons. a) Assisting illegal file traficking and getting nabbed by RIAA at some point and b) Getting my bandwidth sucked up... I may be reacting in an ignorant way so I'll surf & read a little so as to understand this a little better.

[dean_shan]

I'm confused.. why is the file transfer such a big deal?

Don't know why that got Pat's motor running but I'm excited about the PSTN abilities.

[gai-jin]

Tell me about skype. I've found it curious, but never gotten to try it. Just finally got my HS810 bluetooth headset working with my pc, so installed skype and placed a test call to a random person.

Obviously, the intent is to skype someone you know, replacing a phone call. Perhaps avoiding LD charges. Beyond that, why is this so popular? Having not even offerd pc to phone until now, I just don't get it.

(Then again, the first time I heard of paypal, someone was telling me what a neat concept it was to be able to send money for free over the internet... I just didn't get that either.)

Gai-jin

[Pat Logsdon]

I'm confused.. why is the file transfer such a big deal?
Don't know why that got Pat's motor running but I'm excited about the PSTN abilities.
Sorry, I wasn't very clear about that. It's not the file transfer itself, it's just that I'm a bit surprised that a company founded by the same person who came up with Kazaa would want to go that route again, especially considering some of the litigation currently pending in the U.S., like the INDUCE Act. (http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,64315,00.html?tw=wn_7polihead) That's all - just surprised. :D

[MadBison]

I tried this for a short time

Good:
1) was a well designed app,
2) used about 1/3 the data throughput of MSN Messenger
3) I did not have to open ports like I do for MSN Messenger

Bad:
1) I am wary of trusting the makers of Kazaa?!?!
2) I think I read that your PC can be used by others for data transfer. I do not want this.

Anyone else have my fears of installing this app?

D

[lonesniper]

I have used Skype from the first beta's and really look forward to the company succeeding. It is a wonderful product and has saved me lots of money on phone calls.

The recent SkypeOut service offers amazing quality and if I don’t tell the person I am calling that I am using a VoIP program they never know and just think it is a normal call. I find using a headset a lot more comfortable than using a telephone handset and believe the sound quality is much better too, making for a nicer conversation. I only used to call my friends in NJ once a month using the telephone, but with SkypeOut I can call them each week for an hour and only pay 50p (0.75 euro).

I am not bothered about the new features like file-sharing but am interested in a more stable and reliable program, not that I have had many problems with the beta versions.

[victore]

has anyone tried this on their windows mobile 2003 se device? i know that past versions of skype would not run on the new axim's. i installed skype on my e800 (which is upgraded to the latest os), and the program starts, but after clicking "accept" on the eula, the program freezes.

[ShinyPlastic]

This is still broken in Windows Mobile 2003 SE Devices, causes my Axim X30 to hang and need a soft reset after installation and when you try to enter your username/password.

[lonesniper]

Skype just gave me 5 Euro credit for being a beta user of SkypeOut. I already made 10 Euro's worth of calls. Everyone seems to be getting it, my girlfriend just did.

That sure is nice.

Colin

[victore]

shiny, any probs when you uninstalled it?