In a new move to increase its user base, Skype has showcased its new software which will allow users to make video calls from their mobile phones to web enabled TV sets or computers at CommunicAsia, a technology tradeshow in Singapore.
Currently this service will be available only on Symbian phones. Skype has tied up with Sony Ericsson to enable the VoIP software on the Satio, Vivaz, and Vivaz pro devices. The app will be available for download either directly from Skype or through Sony Ericsson’s PlayNow Arena.
Skype has also entered into an alliance with Verizon promising to bring Skype to a range of Verizon’s dumbphones. This will be a great advantage for Skype as it will be the first one to bring non-smartphone users in Skype’s who are not being distracted with many other apps anyway.
Skype has also indicated that it will release a similar app for Android users by the end of this year. Mobile video calls can currently be made using only Nokia’s N900 smartphone and Apple’s iPhone.
Skype’s app will allow users to make free Skype-to-Skype calls to other Skype users around the world, send and receive IMs from individuals or groups, share pictures and videos, receive calls to their existing online number, and pretty much everything else that one can do with Skype on the desktop. Users will be charged for data usage and Skype to Landline or mobile phone calls.
Skype’s CEO Josh Silverman said, “We are moving from a “hardware-based” industry to one driven by software allowing people to keep in touch using a wider range of devices. Its about allowing you to communicate whenever, wherever and however you like. At Skype, we envision a world where communication flows like water. I believe it’s about ubiquity.”
In conformance with its vision for ubiquity, Skype plans to have its Internet voice call software preloaded on 100 million personal computers in 2011. For this Skype has partnered with many Asian manufacturers and world’s leading electronics makers to put its software on their products, allowing people to make or receive video calls on a high-definition TV.” We have recently announced partnerships with Panasonic, LG and Samsung, where Skype is preloaded on flat panel TVs so you get beautiful video right in the family room”, said Josh Silverman.
The Skype app now available in the market for web-connected TVs was also demonstrated at the conference. The basic mechanism here is that a web cam is connected to the TV (via USB) and users will be able to go online and call any other Skype user in their contacts list who’s either sitting in front of their TV or PC. The user interface comprised an icon-based main menu on the left, a 720p HD video of the receiving party in the center and a small window to the right showing footage of the caller. Users can currently make free TV-to-TV and TV-to-computer calls, while TV-to-mobile software is being developed. Video conferencing is also being worked upon but at the moment 20 users can voice conference at once.
Skype has also entered into a new partnership with Facebook so that Facebook users can add Skype buddies via their profiles. With this it hopes to patronize American users who have not adopted the service as rapidly as European users.
Skype has done remarkably well since its inception. It accounted for 12% of the world’s international calling minutes, up from 8% in 2008. Consequently it acquired revenues of $716 million last year, up 30% over 2008. The company said it has 500 million registered users across platforms such as mobile phones, personal computers and high definition television sets and that 37% percent of those users are corporations that use Skype for video tele-conferencing and low-cost international calls. This means that the importance of Skype is increasing in business circles as well.
The numbers for Skype have always been very positive. The strongest advantage of Skype is its low cost, the factor that makes it almost irresistible for users. Since it already has a very loyal user base and a good reputation, Skype may just usher in the next communication revolution. What is your opinion?
