LUXEMBOURG, March 15, 2007 - Days after Skype announced that its wildly popular internet communication software has been downloaded more than 500 million times worldwide, the company is introducing new devices, accessories and affordable internet-phone packages that improve the Skype™ experience for consumers and small business users regardless of where they’re located – at home, at work or on the move.
To mark the 500m milestone, the company is inviting its users to try out Skype calls on a new breed of friendly devices that don’t even need a computer. To make it easy, we’ve created three internet-phone packages that contain everything a user needs to enjoy Skype calls without having to turn on the PC (or to download any software):
• SMC package: SMC WiFi Phone, FON WiFi router, up to eight hours of SkypeOut™ calling credit, 12 months of Skype Voicemail. Make Skype calls from any open wireless hotspot and forget the computer. Available for just €139/£99/$159.
• Philips package: buy the Philips VoIP841 cordless dual phone and get a free Philips VoIP080 corded USB travel phone, plus up to eight hours of SkypeOut calling credit. Make Skype and landline calls from the same cordless phone at home or at work, and take the USB handset with you when you travel. Available for just €179/£129.
• RTX package: RTX DUALphone 3088, up to five hours of SkypeOut calling credit. Make Skype and landline calls from the same phone, with no need for a PC. Available for just €139/£95.
All three packages are available exclusively from the Skype web shop (skype.com/shop) to users in Austria, France, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. Consumers in the United States may purchase the SMC WiFi phone package. To use Skype broadband internet connection is needed.
Free Delivery on Purchases Over €80 and US$80
On top of the already attractively priced packages, European and U.S. customers can enjoy free ground shipping if they spend over €80 or US$80, respectively, in their local Skype web shop, in one transaction. This offer is valid for four weeks only, so it pays to buy from skype.com/shop, the place with the largest selection of Skype Certified™ devices and accessories.
For those not sure how a product stacks up, Skype’s hardware team runs Skype Gear, the definitive source of news, reviews and deep thoughts on Skype-related partner hardware. Find it at skype.com/gear.
New Devices and Accessories
Ireland-based Futiro is announcing the global availability of three new Skype Certified USB phones that work with any good Windows-based USB-equipped laptop or desktop computer. Design is at the center of the company’s approach and it’s evident in the sleek black lines of the new range, available at skype.com/shop. Futiro Solo is a palm-sized portable USB phone with an attractive zip wallet that fits easily into a laptop case or your inside pocket. The Solo features a unique cable-management system that complements its sleek lines. Elegant to the bone, Futiro Luna easily integrates with Skype and its hands-free feature allows you to conference call or use your keypad while you talk. The third handset, Futiro Terra, has clean lines and spartan four-button design.
Meanwhile, at CeBIT today, Linksys has announced the availability of the newest member of its iPhone® range to Skype users in Europe. The CIT400 is a cordless dual phone that allows both regular landline calls and Skype calls in the same device. It is equipped with a color display, high-quality sound, hands-free functionality and automatic Skype updates. The base station can be expanded to support up to four handsets. Already making waves in the US, this device is now also available in Europe (except the UK). Read about Skype Gear’s exclusive roadtest of the CIT400 here: http://share.skype.com/sites/skypegear/2007/02/skypegear_roadtest_linksys_cit.html
About 25 percent of all Skype users have made a video call. For them, USRobotics is introducing a new sleek USR Mini Cam for Skype. The flexible and powerful webcam works with both PCs and Macs, features true 1.3 megapixel capture capability and full-motion video at up to 30 frames per second. Great light sensitivity and wide-angle viewing make this an ideal camera for desktop or laptop video calls. A headset is also included for better voice transmission and reception. Now also available in the Skype web shop.
European retail initiative
The Mini Cam joins the more than 160 other Skype Certified products now available through the Skype web shop and electronics retailers. To make it even easier for European consumers to connect to the more than 171 million Skype users worldwide, Skype is announcing a new distribution and retail partnership initiative to expand the retail presence of Skype Certified products in Europe. Spearheading the initiative is a partnership with TX - Think Xtra, a European retail-solutions provider for Skype Certified products. The new initiative will give over 700 major European retailers better access to a wide range of these products. The selection will include entry-level products designed for new Skype users and premium products designed for experienced users.
- - - - -
About Skype
Skype is the world’s fastest-growing Internet communication offering, allowing unlimited free voice, video and instant-messaging communication between users of Skype software. With over 171 million registered users, Skype is available in 28 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, voicemail, call forwarding and personalization including ringtones and avatars. 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 traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Skype, SkypeIn, SkypeOut, Skype Me, Skype Certified, Skypecasts, associated logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
