Belkin today introduced its new Desktop Internet Phone for Skype ,
which has an embedded Skype client for calling without needing a computer. Plug
it into an Ethernet port on your Internet-connected LAN and you're ready to go.
Features include speaker phone, speed dial, call hold/release, call pickup/park,
mute, redial, hold, call-timer display, and contact list.
The phone will be out in March at an MSRP of $100 .
The SOLO is a self-contained desktop Skype phone for those who don't want to run a computer for Skype calling.
Skype and UK mobile operator 3 , have launched a 3G phone that includes the ability to make free Skype to Skype calls and send free Skype instant messages.
The 3 Skypephone is a fully-featured 3G Internet phone with Skype built-in. In addition to Skype calls, the phone makes conventional calls and can be used to access 3's broad range of other Internet services. Unlike previous Wi-Fi based Skype phones, the 3 Skypephone works on WCDMA (2100MHz ) GSM and GPRS (900/1800 MHz) mobile networks and includes text-based messaging capability. The phone has built-in Bluetooth, but not Wi-Fi.
IPEVO earlier this week announced a stand-alone Skype desktop phone that can make and receive Skype voice calls without a computer.
The SOLO has an RJ-45 Ethernet connector for LAN connection and works on any broadband Internet connection. The phone comes embedded with Skype software, enabling users to make and receive Skype voice calls right out of the box, and supports Skype-to-Skype, SkypeIn, SkypeOut and Skype Voicemail features.
Updated VoSKY yesterday announced the upcoming release of VoSKY Exchange Pro , a turnkey PBX-to-Skype appliance that enables businesses to enhance communications and reduce telecom costs.
The new appliance comes pre-loaded with Skype and VoSKY's Exchange application that is used to deploy, run and manage Skype-enabled office phones.
According to a DigiTimes report, demand for Skype Wi-Fi phones has been strong and is still growing.
The rise in sales is attributed to Skype's launch of its 'unlimited calls' preferential rate program earlier this year, improved phone functions and lower prices.
The report also said that Linksys ran out of Skype Wi-Fi phones in the US and had to allocate inventory from other markets.
Read the full article here .
Skype today announced that Wal-Mart is now offering Skype Certified hardware as well as the first pre-paid cards for Skype available in the U.S. in 1,800 of its U.S. stores.
Wal-Mart is the first and currently only retailer in the U.S. to offer Skype’s pre-paid cards. Shoppers can purchase a $20 pre-paid card and redeem it for Skype credit to make inexpensive international calls at rates as low as 2.1 cents per minute. Another pre-paid card is available in stores for a three-month subscription to the Skype Unlimited Calling Plan for just $8.85.
Up to nine different Skype Certified hardware products are available in Wal-Mart stores’ electronics department including headsets, webcams and handsets from manufacturers such as Plantronics, Philips, Logitech.
For more information, go to www.skype.com/walmart .
Skype and Intel today announced a joint promotion to promote
Internet calling. Consumers in the U.S. and Canada will be able to place free
SkypeOut calls to any landline or mobile number around the world on Mother's Day
(May 13, 2007).
Intel said it is sponsoring the "Gift of Gab" promotion as
a way to demonstrate how audio and video calling are optimized when using PCs
powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. The company said Skype conference calls
are now clearer and users’ PCs more responsive during calls due to collaborative
efforts between Intel and Skype engineers.
More information about the “Gift of Gab” is available at www.skype.com/go/giftofgab
Skype today announced Skype 3.1 for Windows which includes two new services that move Skype into applications beyond voice, video and text communications.
SkypeFind is a new, user-generated guide that lets the worldwide Skype community share, rate and review businesses. Users can add businesses along with a review and rating, search for businesses and place Skype calls to found businesses with the click of a button. Initially, SkypeFind will not allow for paid-for listings.
Skype Prime is a new way for people to sell their expertise, answers and advice to other Skype users. The service consists of Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls and includes a "convenient" payment feature. Skype Prime is in Beta and is described as "in the very early stages of its lifecycle". Skype Prime fees are paid using PayPal and subject to a 30% charge by Skype.
Skype and Symantec have partnered to offer Norton Internet Security and other security products. The products have been "Skype Certified" and will be available through Skype's website at a "special promotion" price.
Full Story on TG Daily.
Actiontec Electronics today announced a new generation of VoSKY
Exchange , its Skype Certified family of PBX-to-Skype gateways.
VoSKY Exchange is a rack-mountable, PBX voice gateway that adds up to eight
outgoing Skype lines to an office PBX without changes to existing PBX or phone
equipment.
If you are using Skype for PC-to-landline calls, you soon could find new and additional charges on your account: The company announced that it will be adding a connection fees to every "SkypeOut" call - in exchange for dropping per-minute charges on a new "SkypePro" package.
The change it usage fees is part of a new strategy to offer "a simple, convenient and cost-effective way for consumers worldwide to call landlines and mobiles over the Internet," Skype said in an announcement posted on Thursday. Initially focused on Europe, Skype decided to apply new pricing models to SkypeOut accounts worldwide during the 2007 calendar year.
Full story on TG Daily .
Wi-Fi Skype phones may look like sexy little things, but they're not for everyone. Tim Higgins thinks computer-free Skype phones like Netgear's SPH200D are a better match for home-based callers.
Skype, the leader in voice-over Internet protocol (VoIP), has unveiled a project that will bring TV to computers and the Internet to TVs in a massive undertaking by the new Skype subsidiary Joost.
Previously known by the codename The Venice Project, Joost (pronounced "juiced") will initially focus on offering free ad-supported online video content that is submitted from content providers like record labels and TV networks.
Full story on TG Daily
(Las Vegas) Netgear today announced its Dual-Mode Cordless Phone with Skype .
The SPH200D is a dual-mode 1.9 GHz DECT cordless phone supporting both landline
and Skype Internet calls without the need to be connected to a computer.
The base station has an Ethernet (RJ-45) port to connect to a network router
and a PSTN (RJ11) connector to connect into a traditional telephone wall jack.
The base can support up to four cordless handsets (sold separately)
but only one Skype or PSTN call at a time. The handset has a built-in speakerphone
and color display, with an interface similar to that on Netgear's Wi-Fi Skype
phone.
The SPH200D is available now at an MSRP of $199.99.
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