Skype moves further into mobile market[Skype moves to untether its Internet calling software into the Mobile market with the introduction of new Mobile devices and accessories at CES.]
At
the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show, Skype announced
support for a wide variety of new wireless devices and accessories.
Skype
has worked closely with a number of its hardware and software partners
to bring Skype functionality to an increasing number of Mobile products
that use a variety of wireless network connections to access the
internet. This includes offering Mobile support for Skype's free
instant messaging and voice calling among the more than 246 million
registered Skype users, as well as its premium features, such as
SkypeOut (cheap calls from Skype to traditional landlines or Mobile
phones anywhere in the world) and SkypeIn (a personal and portable
Skype number that people can call you on wherever you are in the world).
Some
of the new wireless devices and accessories being demonstrated at the
2008 International CES that make Skype Mobile included:
* 3
Skypephone - Introduced together with Mobile operator 3, this new
affordable mass market 3G wireless handset lets users make
Skype-to-Skype calls and send Skype instant messages from their Mobile
phone to other Skype users no matter where they are. The 3 Skypephone
is available in the UK, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and
Sweden, and will soon be available in Hong Kong.
* Freetalk
Wireless Stereo Headset - This new Wireless Stereo Headset, enabled by
the new AvneraAudio technology, delivers CD-quality sound and the
freedom of hands-free Skype calls at any time. It offers superior range
(up to 20 meters) compared to technologies such as Bluetooth, freeing
you from your desk to make and receive the full range of Skype calls
while moving throughout your home or office.
* Intel-based Mobile
Internet Devices - Mobile users will be able to make Skype voice and
video calls and send instant messages on the move, while harnessing the
PClike performance of Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) based on Intel
low-power processors and chipsets. This new category of small, truly
Mobile consumer devices with WiMAX and WiFi capabilities will enable
free Skype-to-Skype voice and video calls and cheap SkypeOut calls to
be made on open wireless networks.
* Nokia N810 Internet Tablet -
The Nokia N810 Internet Tablet is a sleek, pocket-sized WiFi device
with a slide-out keyboard which frees Skype users from their desktop,
allowing Skype-to-Skype conversations and SkypeOut calls to take place
in any WiFi connection, including thousands of Boingo Wireless and
Earthlink WiFi hotspot locations.
* mylo Communicator - Skype
comes pre-installed on Sony's mylo personal communicator, COM-2, so
users can call or instant message any other Skype user all over the
world for free over an open WiFi connection. Users of the mylo can also
make cheap SkypeOut calls and receive SkypeIn calls.
* PSP
(PlayStationPortable) handheld entertainment system (PSP-2000 series) -
With a simple system software update slated for late January, PSP users
worldwide will be able to make free voice calls to other Skype users,
see which friends are online and available to talk, and - with the
purchase of Skype Credit - make cheap SkypeOut calls and receive
SkypeIn calls.
