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December 2, 2008 9:03:45 AM CST

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Skype news stories

13 Stories

 Skype Pushes Video Calls 

Version 4.0 will make seeing who you're talking to more integral

Reuters Reuters Jun 18, 08 1:06 PM CDT
(Newser) - The newest version of Skype is designed to make video calls easier and more widespread. Skype 4.0, which begins public testing today, detects bandwidth and attached devices to make it simpler to use a computer to add video to calls, Reuters reports. Skype's president says that the resolution of the video is high enough that users can make real eye contact. More »

More about:  Internet • telecom • Skype • IP telephony • VOIP

Skype Launches $9.95 Plan
for Unlimited Foreign Calls

Flat rate covers calls
to 34 countries

CNET CNET Apr 22, 08 7:48 AM CDT
(Newser) - Internet calling system Skype is introducing a plan for unlimited overseas phone calls for $9.95 a month, CNET reports. The plan includes 34 European and Far Eastern countries, along with Australia and New Zealand—but the deal is limited to landlines except for calls to cell phones in Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The plan also includes unlimited domestic calls in the US. More »

More about:  Internet • eBay • Skype • IP telephony • VOIP

FCC Boss Nixes Bid to Open Up Wireless Networks

Systems already 'open enough,' he says

Associated Press Associated Press Apr 2, 08 6:42 AM CDT
(Newser) - The head of the FCC has rejected a request from Skype to open up wireless networks to outside devices, AP reports. The Internet phone provider wanted wireless operations included in a 1968 FCC decision that required AT&T to open up its network beyond its own devices that paved the way for the introduction of things like fax machines and modems. More »

More about:  FCC • Verizon • wireless • telecommunications • Kevin Martin • wireless industry • Skype • networks • Michael Copps

Apple's iPhone Rules Restrict Competition

Banning of VoIP, browser bundling echoes antitrust cases

CNET CNET Mar 10, 08 4:19 PM CDT
(Newser) - Apple’s iPhone software development kit is facing criticism from net neutrality and antitrust critics, Computerworld reports. Apple has indicated that voice-over-IP programs like Skype will not be allowed on the iPhone’s AT&T network, as its a direct competitor for AT&T’s voice service. Comcast, Computerworld points out, drew net neutrality concerns when it banned BitTorrent to prevent competition with its Cable TV business. More »

More about:  Microsoft • Apple • iPhone • Comcast • antitrust • Firefox • net neutrality • Skype • Safari • Voice over IP

Flash Attack Could Turn Routers Into Zombies

Experts say online criminals could exploit UPnP to hijack routers

PC World PC World Jan 16, 08 1:11 PM CST
(Newser) - Security experts have demonstrated how attackers could use Flash software and the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol to hijack their home routers, reports PC World . Users exposed to a malicious Flash file could have the servers they're trying to reach changed remotely and secretly, meaning a fraudster could redirect the user to phony bank or e-commerce websites even if they typed the right address into their browser. More »

More about:  hackers • computer security • Skype • instant messaging • Adobe • online fraud • Flash • routers

MySpace Battles Facebook Buzz to Stay on Top

Site rolls out new services, expands abroad

USA Today USA Today Dec 21, 07 1:10 PM CST
(Newser) - Facing competition for buzz and advertising from much smaller but much-hyped Facebook, MySpace has big plans for expansion. The free-form social networking site's founders want to transform it into a one-stop portal where users can check email and get news. The site is also unveiling new services, expanding overseas, and planning to allow multiple profiles, reports USA Today . More »

More about:  Facebook • social networking • MySpace • Skype • multiplayer games

New Era at eBay Includes Absent CEO, Turmoil

Auction site leaning on Skype, other new services for renewal

Wired Wired Dec 19, 07 5:21 PM CST
(Newser) - Online auction site eBay is sailing into new, perhaps troubled waters, reports Wired , as users write angry letters to newspapers, its CEO-in-waiting--John Donahoe--disses the site as a flea market, and CEO and founder Meg Whitman follows the campaign trail behind presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. Yet, in a down market, its shares are up 6% on the year. More »

More about:  Mitt Romney • eBay • Skype • Meg Whitman • John Donahoe

UK Provider Unveils Skype Mobile Phone

Free calls over the Internet for users in five countries at launch

BBC BBC Oct 29, 07 5:06 PM CDT
(Newser) - British mobile phone provider "3" is unveiling a handset which lets users make free calls over the Net using Skype. The phone won't let you use Skype to make cheap calls to any phone number, like you could over the Internet, but still represents a new level of availability for the service. "Skype has now taken a giant step forward in the mobile arena," chief executive Michael van Swaaij tells the BBC. More »

More about:  cell phones • Skype • Internet phone • IP telephony

eBay Posts Big Growth but Net Loss Thanks to Skype

Skype write-down takes byte out of auction company

Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal Oct 18, 07 5:45 AM CDT
(Newser) - EBay reported strong growth in some sectors despite posting a $936 million net loss for the third quarter, reports the Wall Street Journal . Most of the loss is due to the company writing down internet calling company Skype by $1.39 billion after eBay found it difficult to make money off the operation since its acquisition two years ago. Excluding such one-time costs, eBay pulled in a $564 million profit. More »

More about:  earnings reports • eBay • Skype • third quarter earnings • PayPal • StubHub

MySpace to Partner With Skype

Deal will offer MySpace users free online phone calls

New York Times New York Times Oct 17, 07 7:30 AM CDT
(Newser) - Online juggernauts MySpace and Skype will team to connect users of the social networking website to the free online phone call service starting in November. Skype's CEO called the move "an obvious fit," while the New York Times notes the potential crossover—MySpace claims 110 million mostly US-based users, while Skype has 220 million users mostly abroad. More »

More about:  Yahoo • Facebook • MySpace • AOL • Skype

  eBay's $1.4 Billion Phone Bill

Takes huge write down on overpriced Skype

Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal Oct 2, 07 12:04 AM CDT
(Newser) - eBay's $2.6 billion acquisition of phone service Skype looks like a wrong number, with profits on hold indefinitely. The Wall Street Journal reports eBay will take a $1.4 billion write down on Skype, which  accounts for $90 million of eBay's $1.83 billion in revenue in the third quarter. Skype CEO Niklas Zennstrom is stepping down. More »

More about:  social networking • eBay • Skype • digital video • PayPal • online music • revenue • Meg Whitman • Vonage • write down

Free Phone Service Listens In, Tailors Ads

Startup sparks privacy concerns with marketing that draws on conversations

Associated Press Associated Press Sep 24, 07 12:42 PM CDT
(Newser) - In much the same way that Gmail scans emails to push relevant advertising, a California start-up is using voice-recognition software to translate the strategy to Internet phone calls. Puddingmedia offers free phone service if customers allow eavesdropping on their conversations, the AP reports. The data isn't recorded, but privacy advocates and bloggers are up in arms. More »

Skype Blames Crash on Windows

Millions of updates, reboots fried VOIP service, company says

PC World PC World Aug 20, 07 12:49 PM CDT
(Newser) - Skype's mysterious failure last week was caused by a routine Windows update, the company says. Millions of users downloaded the new software, rebooted their computers, and tried to log into Skype at the same time, crashing the net phone service, PC World reports. It's still unclear why previous Windows updates didn't do the same thing, however. More »

More about:  Internet • Microsoft • communication • Windows • Skype • Internet phone • VoIP

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