What’s this “Skype” thing?

Katrina Belogorsky

Skokie Public Library

October 12, 2010

What is Skype?• Skype is a way of sending phone

calls across the internet… and because it’s the internet calls are FREE

• Skype uses technology called VOIP “voice over Internet protocol”

• Free calls over the Internet• Free to download software (4.2 latest version)

To Use Skype, You Need Only Three Things

• A computer with access to the Internet

• A free software program called Skype

• A microphone and headset

• Web camera

Who are Skype?• Founded in August 2003, Skype is the leading global Internet

communications company.• Skype is headquartered in Luxemburg (offices in Europe, US and

Asia)• Was acquired by eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) in October 2005-

Sepember 2009• September 1, 2009, eBay sells 65% of Skype to Index Ventures and

Silver Lake Partners • August 2010 Skype announced to go Public on Wall Street• At peak times, there are 23 million users online• 30% users are use Skype for business• 13% of global long distance happens over Skype.(2010) • 560 Million users (accounts) worldwide (2010)• Skype is available in 28 languages

Skype Features• Chat• Log in from anywhere• Voice over IP• Webcam• Connect with friends not on

Skype using SkypeOut• Secure file transfer using instant

messaging

Skype Features• SkypeOut

• SkypeIn

• Videoconferencing

• Skype on mobile devices

• Call forwarding

• Call identification

• Skype Voicemail

• Change Language

When you do not need to call

Instant messages – the alternative to talking

Get an instant response

IM when talking isn’t convenient

Quickly send website links

SkypeOut

allows Skype users to call

traditional telephone numbers,

mobile telephones for a fee

Unlimited calls anytime

SkypeIn Receive calls on computers dialed by

regular phone subscribers to a local Skype phone number available in

21 countries including US

Videoconferencing• All you need is a

webcam• High quality video

with the latest Skype version

• Video calls are FREE

• More options for buisiness

http://www.skype.com/products/skype/windows/

Video Snapshot

Make a snapshots of yourself and your friends during free video calls

Conference Calls

• Talk to more people at once

• Free business conference calls

• Easily add contacts to an ongoing call

Skype on Mobile Devices

• Skype To Go Number

• Skype on mobile phones

Skype to Go• Call friends and

family from any phone

• A special access number you dial from any phone in your country

Cordless Phone with Skype Build-In

• Free wireless Skype-to-Skype calls.

• Call phones at great low rates.

• See all your Skype contacts when you sign in to your phone.

Make calls with Skype and on your landline with the same easy-to-use cordless phone without a computer.

Skype on Mobile Phones

• Free Skype-to-Skype calls and IM with Verizon Wireless

• iPhone – use Skype everywhere over 3G or WIFI

• On any android smartphone version 2.1 or above (starting October 5th)

What’s free on Skype• Skype-to-Skype calls

• Video Calls

• Instant messaging and group chats

• Conference calls with up to 25 people

What costs a little on Skype

• Call phones and mobiles

• Receive calls from phones and mobiles

• Send and receive voicemails

• Skype To Go number

• Forward calls to phones

• Send SMS messages

• Transfer calls to phones and mobiles

• Access Skype via WiFi hotspots

Limitations• Skype calls require high-speed internet• Skype is not a replacement for your

traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling

• SkypeOut and SkypeIn calls don’t carry the same fidelity experienced with Skype-to-Skype calls

• Microphone-headsets or speakerphones are needed with Skype

Skype Advantages• Great education

tool

• Videoconferencing

• Job interviews

Why the Interest in SKYPE

• Saving money (95%)

• Saving time

• Staying ahead

Similar Products

• Gizmo5 www.gizmo5.com

• Ooma www.ooma.com

• Google Talk – a growing competitor

some features as Skype