LUXEMBOURG, MAY 3, 2006 – Skype, the global Internet communications company, today released the beta version of Skype 2.5, the newest edition of its software that allows anyone with an Internet connection to make free worldwide voice and video calls. With new features and enhanced functionality, Skype now makes it even easier to set up a Skype account and to call and stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues for free.
As part of the new software enhancements, registration is simplified for new Skype customers and dialling traditional phone numbers is more intuitive, making calls to landlines or cell phones anywhere in the world easy and affordable. Features such as improved conference calling offer excellent voice quality and make it a natural way to stay in touch. Simple prompts while Skyping allow users to adjust how they manage their internet connection to ensure they have the best possible call quality. Other new functionality includes built-in, localized payment options, now in over 15 currencies.
“Skype has always focused on making it easy for people to have conversations for as long as they like, anywhere in the world, for free. We want to make Internet calling incredibly straightforward so people can effortlessly stay in touch,” said Niklas Zennström, CEO of Skype. “With the latest version of Skype’s award-winning software we’ve listened to our customers and made it even easier for communities of people to connect and easily talk to each other for free.”
Skype 2.5 Beta Features
As with all Skype releases, Skype 2.5 beta customers can talk for as long as they like with over 100 million Skype customers across the world without worrying about the cost or the distance of the call.
The latest version of Skype is available for download at skype.com. The free software includes:
- Easy Dialing – instead of having to remember specific country codes, easily call landlines or cell phones worldwide by selecting the country of choice from a dropdown menu.
- Payments in Skype – payment is now built into the Skype software, making it simpler to buy Skype credit, SkypeOut minutes, ringtones from artists like Madonna and more.
- Send Short Message Service (SMS) Messages – send a one-way SMS message to any mobile phone number in the world by selecting a SkypeOut contact, entering a mobile phone number or selecting a Skype contact’s mobile phone number in their profile.
- View Outlook Contacts – quickly view Outlook contacts in Skype and call directly using SkypeOut, a call from Skype to traditional landlines or cell phones.
- Improved Conference Calling – instantly see who is talking on a conference call as the participant’s picture flashes when they begin to speak.
- Shared Contact Groups – easily share contacts with friends and family and help them connect with other people; bring groups together with just one click of a button to start a group chat or conference call.
- Simplified Registration – create Skype accounts in one simple step.
- Automatic Updates – receive an automatic prompt to download the latest Skype software any time the product is upgraded.
- Call Quality Management – lets users adjust and manage their computer environment and internet connection to ensure they have the best possible call quality.
Skype Certified Hardware
In addition to the introduction of Skype 2.5 beta, leading hardware vendors have announced the following Skype Certified products, which extend and add value to the Skype experience:
- Available from May 2006 in Europe and July in the rest of the world, the Philips VOIP321 DECT cordless dual phone enables free Skype calls, as well as ordinary landline calls – for maximum consumer freedom and the ability to switch seamlessly between both communications mediums.
- The new Creative Live! Cam Voice, available worldwide this month, features ground-breaking directional audio and noise reduction technology that captures the user's voice while eliminating background and environmental noise from outside the webcam's field of view, making it the perfect companion to Skype.
- Polycom and Skype this week announced the Polycom Communicator™, a USB speakerphone that leverages Polycom’s Acoustic Clarity Technology™ to deliver high-fidelity, two-way voice communication for Skype conversations, without echoes or feedback.
Skype Certified products, such as Webcams, headsets and USB phones are available online at skype.com/shop and at major retailers across the US, Europe and Asia, including Radio Shack.
Skypecasts Preview
In addition to Skype 2.5 beta, the company has introduced an early preview of Skypecasts. Skypecasts are live, moderated conversations allowing groups of up to 100 people from anywhere in the world to talk to one another.
Skypecasts enable people to discuss shared interests – anything from classic cars and cooking, to home design and computer support. Skypecasts are moderated by the ‘host’ who is able to mute, eject or pass the virtual microphone to participants when they wish to speak. Hosting or participating in a Skypecast is completely free.
Several Skype partners are currently piloting Skypecasts with their communities. For example, Six Apart, a leader in blogging software and services for individuals and businesses, plans to promote Skypecasts as a way of expanding their online communities. Bloggers can schedule Skypecasts and link to them from their sites, so visitors using Skype can click to join discussions instantly without leaving the blog site.
Skypecasts can be promoted on any website using simple HTML snippets. All live Skypecasts are available in preview form at skypecasts.skype.com.
About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video communication for free between the users of Skype software. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype also has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit skype.com.
Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and cannot be used for emergency calling.
