75
Skype
Released August, 2003
The Pros:Easy to use. Available on many devices including all desktop operating systems (Mac, Linux and Windows), most mobile operating systems, select embedded devices, etc... Clear audio quality.
The Cons:Skype uses a proprietary Internet telephony (VoIP) network. Cannot be used to call emergency services. The Skype network is not interoperable with other VoIP networks.
Skype is a software program created by the Swedish and Danish entrepreneurs Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis and a team of software developers: Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu and Jaan Tallinn based in Tallinn, Estonia.
Skype allows users to make telephone calls over the internet to other Skype users free of charge and to landlines and cell phones for a fee. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer, short message service, video conferencing and its ability to circumvent firewalls.
The Skype Group, acquired by eBay in September 2005, has headquarters in Luxembourg, with offices in London, Tallinn, Tartu, Prague and San Jose, California. Skype experienced rapid growth in both popular usage and software development since the launch, of both its free and its paid services.
User Reviews (13)
Pros & Cons
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10
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10
Available on many devices including all desktop operating systems (Mac, Linux and Windows), most mobile operating systems, select embedded devices, etc...
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7
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7
Runs well on cheap netbooks
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6
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5
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5
can be used to call land lines and cell phones around the world (charges apply)
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4
Skype app available for iPhone
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4
uses trusted encryption techniques
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4
makes very efficient use of bandwidth
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4
capable of 720p video with compatible webcams and clients
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4
video conferencing with multiple individuals (currently limited to beta on certain platforms only)
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3
added support for High Quality Video (640 x 480) with certain webcams
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3
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3
powerful additional services such as having your own online number (for others to call), a local skype-to-go number (for you to call to use cheap voice over IP while not being charged), SMS, etc...
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2
free to use from one online device to another (aka but not quite PC-to-PC), affordable otherwise
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2
actively worked on and improved with additional features and services
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1
Facebook contacts integration using Facebook Connect (from version 5.0 on Windows only)
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4
Skype uses a proprietary Internet telephony (VoIP) network.
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4
cannot be used to call emergency services
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3
The Skype network is not interoperable with other VoIP networks.
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2
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2
High Quality Video requires a fairly powerful computer
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2
uses your personal connection for other people's service
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2
5.0 releases are bloatware
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1
occasional Skype spam calls
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1
no Gmail/Yahoo/hotmail contacts integration
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0
causes MS Outlook 2003 to freeze occasionally
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-1
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-2
Skype app for iPhone not available in Canada
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Comments (2)
dom:
#skype Skype on Windows with a good internet connection is certainly something I enjoy a lot and that I "couldn't" live without. I have my "landline" number on Skype using the Skype-In service.
But I'm also getting increasingly annoyed with Skype. Their development pace is that of a snail. Basically, anything other than Windows doesn't receive any proper care. Just look at the Linux, Mac, and Android clients... I don't care too much about alternative desktop OS's any more, but where Skype is really lame is the mobile space.
Just a few days ago they came out with their Android app, but Android has been around for almost 2 years now. It doesn't run on Samsung Galaxy phones yet, takes a lot of memory space on a phone (8-9MB), relatively speaking, and delivers truly unusable service on older phones. Fring worked fine on my T-Mobile G1 on Android 1.6 back when Fring and Skype were still friends and you could do Skype-to-Skype conversations using Fring. Now that I run Android 2.2 on the G1 (CM6.0) and that we have the performance boost with JIT, and that the official Skype-app is out, it should run even better. Right? Wrong. I can't hear A WORD of what the other person is saying, and they can't hear me. It's all scrambled.
I know it's only the 1.0 version of their app, but I don't think I'm too harsh with them. Of course it will become better over time. But it's already been 1-2 years that we're waiting for this. How much longer shall we wait till the Skype app matures into something good? Another 3 years, at this pace? When (if ever) will Skype offer use of front-facing cams?
I think tt's time that Skype receives a proper spanking from a competitor. What do you all think?
Oct 15, 10
like
east-tec:
#skype Skype is what I use everyday to communicate with my friends, co-workers and even business partners. The sound quality is also much better than on normal phone!
Jun 18, 09
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helpful
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