From the category archives:

Skype Hardware

This morning, at the CEA Line Show in New York, Skype is taking the first step in the evolution of its revamped developer platform with the beta release of SkypeKit, “empowering consumer electronic and desktop software innovators to embed Skype into their products”.
In summary:

Most importantly, SkypeKit allows developers to embed all the functionality of [...]

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Categories Communications News, Developers, Embedded Skype, Skype Hardware, Skype News, Skype Partner News, Skype Platform, Using Skype, Video calling

Blogger colleague Dan York, Director of Conversations at Voxeo, recently ordered and received a Camera Connection kit for his iPad. In most dramatic fashion Dan shows he can break through Apple’s packaging and demonstrates two ways to transfer photos from his Nikon D90.
But wait –that’s not all! Being the geek that he is, he [...]

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Categories Communications Stories, Skype Hardware, Skype on Mobile, Using Skype

My initial experience with an FreeTalk product was back in December 2007 when I was provided with the FreeTalk Wireless Stereo Headset – Model 5191. I found I was using it continuously for the next couple of years – I could answer the door when Fedex arrived or let the dog out the back [...]

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Categories Skype Hardware, Using Skype

This morning I received a chat message from TechCraver’s Jason Harris asking if I would take a video call. Little did I realize that this was not going to be a normal HD Skype video call like our last one.
Jason is a fan of the Nokia N900 mobile computer which has always supported Skype voice [...]

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Categories Communications Stories, Communications Technology, Mobile Applications, Mobile Devices, Skype Hardware, Skype News, Skype on Mobile, Using Skype

Over the past week I have been experimenting with two relatively new features that build out the Skype video experience:

HD video using the recently released FREETALK® TALK-7140 HD webcam and Skype for Windows 4.2
Skype Group calling using the beta release of Skype for Windows 5.0

FREETALK® TALK-7140 HD Webcam
At a price point that makes [...]

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Categories Communications Technology, Skype For Business, Skype Hardware, Skype for Personal, Using Skype, Video calling

While it was introduced last August and it was reported in January that over 100,000 have been sold worldwide, the FREETALK® Everyman headset continues to receive mention on the web. Two recent items:
Inc.com: Technology for the Virtual CEO referenced the FREETALK Everyman as its choice of headset:
A Skype headset will give you better sound [...]

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Categories Skype Hardware, Using Skype

With the release of Skype 4.0 for Windows beta 3 a year ago February, Skype first introduced their superwideband SILK codec. A month later at eComm 2009, Jonathan Christensen announced SILK’s availability for third party partners with royalty free licensing of the SILK codec. Since then it has been incorporated into all subsequent releases [...]

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Categories Communications Stories, Embedded Skype, Mobile Devices, Service Providers, Skype Hardware, Skype Platform, Skype on Mobile, Wireless Carriers

The DECT 6.0-compliant RTX 3088 Dualphone allows North American consumers to continue to use their legacy PSTN phone service while seamlessly incorporating Skype into their routine “home phone” activities. And it’s one reason why you will see those Skype Mood Messages that say “Using Skype without my computer”.
Last fall In Store Solutions released a North [...]

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Categories Communications Stories, Embedded Skype, Skype Hardware, Using Skype

At CES 2010 last month I had the opportunity to record interviews with Skype CEO Josh Silverman as well as Russ Shaw, Vice President and General Manager of Skype Mobile and EMEA, and Matt Jordan, Enterprise Business Development Manager.
In this second interview Russ Shaw covers a wide range of questions about Skype on different [...]

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Categories Communications Stories, Embedded Skype, Mobile Applications, Mobile Devices, Skype Hardware, Skype News, Skype Partner News, Skype Platform, Skype on Mobile, Using Skype, Wireless Carriers

At CES 2010 last month I had the opportunity to record interviews with Skype CEO Josh Silverman as well as Russ Shaw, Vice President and General Manager of Skype Mobile and EMEA, and Matt Jordan, Enterprise Business Development Manager.
In this first interview Matt Jordan talks about the evolving Skype for Business Program. After giving [...]

Categories Communications Stories, Skype For Business, Skype Hardware, Skype News, Skype Partner Solutions, Skype Platform, Using Skype

While the FREETALK Connect all encompassing PBX announced at IT Expo last Wednesday changes the economics of small business communications, it also provides a platform around which third party applications can readily be built and integrated.
Thursday saw the announcement of the FREETALK Connect Alliance, comprising thirteen charter members plus FREETALK that covers applications from [...]

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Categories Communications News, Developers, Skype Hardware, Skype Partner News, Skype Partner Solutions, Web 2.0 Tools and Applications

Pardon my exuberance but I am about to write about a product that I have been beta testing for the past few months. Seven months ago I knew very little about small business PBX’s other than to know they had big $$$ signs associated with their operation.
Back in 1992 my employer of the day [...]

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Categories Communications News, Communications Technology, Mobile Applications, Service Providers, Skype For Business, Skype Hardware, Skype Partner News, Skype Partner Solutions, Skype Platform, Skype on Mobile, Using Skype

Seems like Techland reviewer Doug Aamoth finally found a replacement for his vintage keyboard headset (what museum did he borrow that intro headset from?). For an entertaining review of the FREETALK Everyman watch the video:

And in his review you’ll find an audio comparison of the audio quality between FREETALK Everyman and another popular headset. [...]

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Categories Skype Hardware, Using Skype

At CES 2010 last week In Store Solutions announced they will be adding three webcams to its FREETALK® product line that set new standards for video calling hardware.
The primary service goal for these webcams is to support up to 30 frames per second transmission over Internet services available via widely deployed broadband (cable and [...]

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Categories Communications News, Skype Hardware, Skype News, Skype Partner News, Skype Platform, Using Skype

Skype’s announcement today of agreements to have television sets become end points for Skype video calls really raises a series of both user interface issues as well as social issues:

Do I want to be interrupted while watching programming such as a sporting event or Oprah?
Where is it more convenient to talk: via a TV [...]

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Categories Communications News, Embedded Skype, Skype Hardware, Skype News, Skype Partner News, Skype Platform, Using Skype