An Internet telephone and videophone service from Skype Limited, Luxembourg (www.skype.com). Being software based, calls from Skype subscribers originate from their computers, and all computer-to-computer calls between subscribers are free, including video. Access to regular telephones is also available. With "SkypeOut," users dial a regular telephone for a low per-minute charge. "SkypeIn" lets people worldwide call a Skype subscriber from a regular telephone by dialing a local Skype phone number. See softphone.
Explosive Growth
Introduced in July 2004, within a year, more than a hundred million people downloaded the software. In the fall of 2005, Skype claimed 40 million active users and was acquired by eBay for $2.6 billion. By late 2008, an average of 10 million users were using Skype simultaneously.
Supernodes
Rather than using standard voice over IP (VoIP) protocols such as SIP and H.323, Skype uses proprietary protocols that incorporate a peer-to-peer architecture. If Skype cannot make a direct connection from one user to the other, it may elicit one of its users who has the Skype application loaded to become a "supernode" and relay the call. Only a fraction of the millions of Skype users become supernodes at any given time. See supernode.
Portable Skype Phones
Similar to a cordless phone, a Skype telephone is portable and frees subscribers from being tethered to their PCs. It transmits wireless to a base station that plugs into the PC via USB or into a free port on a network router. In addition, there are adapters that let existing desk and portable phones make regular phone calls and Skype calls. The user's phone plugs into the adapter, which plugs into both the PC and the telephone jack on the wall.
Explosive Growth
Introduced in July 2004, within a year, more than a hundred million people downloaded the software. In the fall of 2005, Skype claimed 40 million active users and was acquired by eBay for $2.6 billion. By late 2008, an average of 10 million users were using Skype simultaneously.
Supernodes
Rather than using standard voice over IP (VoIP) protocols such as SIP and H.323, Skype uses proprietary protocols that incorporate a peer-to-peer architecture. If Skype cannot make a direct connection from one user to the other, it may elicit one of its users who has the Skype application loaded to become a "supernode" and relay the call. Only a fraction of the millions of Skype users become supernodes at any given time. See supernode.
Portable Skype Phones
Similar to a cordless phone, a Skype telephone is portable and frees subscribers from being tethered to their PCs. It transmits wireless to a base station that plugs into the PC via USB or into a free port on a network router. In addition, there are adapters that let existing desk and portable phones make regular phone calls and Skype calls. The user's phone plugs into the adapter, which plugs into both the PC and the telephone jack on the wall.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- fring announces free Skype video calling from Symbian smartphones
- One of the VoIP applications I have loaded on several devices is fring and I was pleased to read today that Skype and fring video calls are now supported on select Symbian S60 devices. fring video is currently supported on the Nokia X6, N97 mini, N97, 5800, N95, N95 8G...
- Blog posts 2009-11-24
- Skype: A new, friendly communications monopoly?
- fsdaThe Best Blu-Ray Video Converter is a comprehensive ripper and converter tool.
- Discussion threads 2009-11-21
- MessengerLog 360 7.20 (Windows)
- MessengerLog 360 allows you to monitor and record chat from all popular instant messengers: MSN/Windows Live messenger (including version 9.x), Yahoo Messenger (including version 9.x), AIM/AOL (including version 6.x, with encrypted protocol), ICQ (included version 6.x), Google GTalk, and Skype. It has support for record chat in both plain text...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- MessengerLog 360 Pro 7.20 (Windows)
- MessengerLog 360 Pro lets you monitor and record chat from all popular instant messengers: MSN/Windows Live messenger (including version 9.x), Yahoo Messenger (including version 9.x), AIM/AOL (including version 6.x, with encrypted protocol), ICQ (included version 6.x), Google GTalk, and Skype. Support record chat in both plain text and HTML/Rich text*...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- Instant Hidden Internet 3.4 (Windows)
- Quickly hide or close all Internet browser windows, chat windows and folder windows with the touch of a customizable hot key boss key. Chat windows stay hidden even if new ones try to pop-up. Windows are even hidden from the Windows Task Manager. To make hidden windows visible, just press...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Call Graph 1.3 (Windows)
- Call Graph Skype plugin is a desktop application. It can record your conversations and save them in an mp3 or a wav file. Its completely free for personal and business use. It can record all kinds of Skype calls, Skype P2P, SkypeIn and SkypeOut. There are no time limits or...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Ubercaster 1.6.3 (Mac)
- Ubercaster is the first complete podcast production suite for the Mac. The days of overloaded and bulky recording environments are over. Ubercaster makes it easy for you to produce your podcast show in four simple steps. Each step has its own layer which bundles various functions in an easy to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-16
- PandoraJam 1.4 build 292 (Mac)
- PandoraJam enables you to enjoy the popular Pandora.com radio service on your Mac desktop. Easily stream music wirelessly, record audio for playback on iPods, and submit tracks to Last.fm and Twitter. Desktop integration via Growl notifications, instant messenger updates and keyboard shortcuts. Support for Apple Remote. PandoraJam (Free demo, $15)...
- Software downloads 2009-11-14
- Gateway NV7802u
- Editors' note: This review is part of our 2009 Retail Laptop and Desktop Holiday Roundup, which covers specific fixed configurations of popular systems found in retail stores.Gateway continues to offer some of the best bang-for-your-buck retail laptops. The NV7802u is a fine example: It's a 17-inch wide-screen model with a...
- Product reviews 2009-11-13
- Pamela for Skype - Professional Version 4.6.0.37 (Windows)
- Pamela Professional allows you to record Skype calls. In addition Pamela can play audio files during a call, take notes during or after a call, transfer a call to a contact or group and many more cool features. Pamela looks and works like Skype. The Professional version is the ultimate...
- Software downloads 2009-11-13
- Pamela for Skype - Business Version 4.6.0.37 (Windows)
- Pamela Business allows you to record Skype calls. Outlook integration, play audio files during a call, take notes during or after a call, transfer a call to a contact or group and many more cool features. Pamela looks and works like Skype. The Business Version is the ultimate tool for...
- Software downloads 2009-11-13
- Pamela for Skype - Basic Version 4.6.0.37 (Windows)
- Pamela Basic allows you to record Skype calls for free. In addition Pamela can play audio files during a call, take notes during or after a call, transfer a call to a contact or group and many more cool features. Pamela looks and works like Skype. Pamela Basic is 100%...
- Software downloads 2009-11-13
- Cloud, consumers give Skype enterprise boost
- Skype's Dan Neary says in the past online consumer apps would never be considered business grade But with the cloud, those apps have become secure enough that you trust. SINGAPORE--The cloud computing revolution and momentum consumers have driven toward technology adoption are helping consumer- or Web-based businesses such as...
- News items 2009-11-12
- Dxsoft CallTTY 2.30 (Windows)
- A program to communicate with phone TTY/TDD devices Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf via a sound card, without TTY modem. A simple interface between sound card and phone line or acoustic connection with phone handset are used. Together with "Virtual Audio Cable" software CallTTY can work via Skype Internet-phone, without...
- Software downloads 2009-11-12
- Logitech Buys LifeSize. Now what about Polycom?
- A few weeks after Cisco's Tandberg acquisition, peripheral manufacturer Logitech has announced that it was acquiring LifeSize for $405 million in cash. LifeSize provides high definition HD video communication solutions. The video acquistion positions Logitech with a comnplete range of video conferencing equipment. Last year, the company acquired...
- Blog posts 2009-11-10
- Video2Webcam 3.1.0.2 (Windows)
- Video2webcam enables you to show video clips as virtual webcam during video chat whether you own a real webcam or not. You could either share your home-made video clips easily with your friends while chatting on line or make fun of them by pretending to be somebody else. With it,...
- Software downloads 2009-11-10
- Google spent about $780 million today
- Two acquisitions were announced today -- together totaling around $800 million dollars. This comes about a month and a half after Eric Schmidt told us that acquisitions are back on. Both acquisitions are significant -- but one cost a lot more than the other. AdMob...
- Blog posts 2009-11-09
- Skype snags chief technology strategist from Cisco
- Skype said it has named Jonathan Rosenberg as its chief technology strategist. by Larry Dignan
- Blog posts 2009-11-09
- News to know: Cisco; Azure; Smartphones; Twitter lists; Facebook; Skype; Twitter device
- Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily. For continuous updates see BNET's around-the-Web tech coverage.: Sam Diaz: Cisco unveils collaboration, e-mail and social tools for the enterprise Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft puts more...
- Blog posts 2009-11-09
- B-Alert 5.1 (Windows)
- Digital answering machine, number reproduction with reproduction of calling party, place of residence and all other data which stands in the company database, broadcastings person which there ringtones, stalker option, window with the number and the callers name and all relevant information of the caller, external database access , Outlook...
- Software downloads 2009-11-09
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online - Free Six-Month Trial for Eligible Organizations
-
Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides fast online access, simple contact management and better sales performance for a low monthly cost - the best value on the market today.
- Learn more about the free, six-month trial offer>>
- Reduce risk. Reduce complexity. Increase reliability.
-
A simplified IT environment isn't just less complex. It's also more reliable. Standardize on a single Linux platform with SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, and get the world's most interoperable Linux
- Learn more >>
- The more you simplify, the more you save
-
When you transition from your existing Red Hat environment to SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, you can recognize dramatic cost savings, perhaps as much 50%
- Learn more >>
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
-
-
Smart Tech
Expert advice on innovations in healthcare and the green technologies that make it happen.
Find out more
-
Smart Business
Discussion and advice on management issues that revolve around making your world smarter and more useful.
More Smart Advice
-
Smart People
The best and worst moves in the management and strategy trenches.
Learn More
