“Skypers,” or how I refer to the growing population of Skype users, can now take their service on the road via their pocket PCs. VoIP service provider Skype Technologies (news - alert) just launched version 1.0 of its VoIP enabling software for Pocket PCs. Now more than 500,000 Skypers will enjoy the service using any PC-ready PDAs through WiFi, making me wonder: What will happen with all the cell phones in the world?
This new version of Skype is also free! The software for Skype Pocket PC 1.0 was developed specifically to enable Skype on PDA devices. The company has been testing the software since April. Skype for Pocket PC 1.0 enables the users of handheld computers with Wi-Fi capabilities and the Pocket PC operating system to make free unlimited calls from any Wi-Fi hotspot. The software is currently available for download from Skype’s Web site.
“With the launch of Skype for Pocket PC 1.0, Skype is expanding consumer choice in mobile, global communications by offering free Skype-to-Skype calling and affordable SkypeOut calls to any traditional phone number,” said Niklas Zennström, Skype’s CEO and co-founder. “We are delivering greater platform and portability options for consumers looking to take advantage of the cost and quality benefits of Internet telephony. We will continue to expand platform choices for our users.”
Skypers will be able to use all the goodies they have available to them at ho me, but on the road. They will be able to make and receive calls through Voice over IP (VoIP) (define - news - alert - tutorial) within Windows, Linux or the newly available Mac OS X operating systems.
The new “portable” version of the service software also features:
Free, unlimited calling to other Skype users via VoIP, regardless of the operating system they are using
A user-built, searchable global directory of Skype contacts with image display
End-to-end encryption for privacy
Conference calling with up to 5 people
Apply Skype from any Wi-Fi hotspot in the world
Multiple Skype accounts on one computing device
Instant messaging (IM)
Skype for Pocket PC 1.0 will also include the company’s PC-to-phone service—SkypeOut. Currently, the SkypeOut Global Rate pricing is 1.7 Euro cents per minute (approx $0.02 USD).
Johanne Torres is the contributing editor for
TMCnet.com and Internet Telephony magazine. Previously, she was the
assistant editor for EContent magazine in Connecticut. She can be
reached by e-mail at jtorres@tmcnet.com.
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[September 10, 2004]
