| When Skype announced the SkypeKit beta | | | | throughout the home. Their SkypeKit software |
| program at the end of June, it became clear that | | | | will enable developers to build apps for a whole |
| the company had big plans for their service. They | | | | variety of appliances, from televisions to cars. |
| plan to expand beyond the computer and if | | | | You'll be able to use Skype from every room of |
| possible even beyond the home, to become a | | | | your house. For the first time, Skype will become |
| truly universal platform for VoIP calls everywhere. | | | | a viable replacement for a landline phone, since |
| While these plans sound grandiose, what do they | | | | every device that is plugged into the internet |
| actually mean for you, the customer? | | | | should have a Skype application to go with it. That |
| First off, it's Skype's goal to make the service | | | | means you'll be able to chat in every room |
| available everywhere to everyone. At present, | | | | without needing to be sitting at a computer; |
| you're able to access Skype on the go using | | | | envision wide-screen video chats on your normal |
| smartphones such as your iPhone, Android, | | | | television, where both you and your friend are |
| Symbian (Nokia), or Blackberry. Each smartphone | | | | sitting casually in your respective living rooms. |
| has a different app but all of them truly require | | | | Chats with multiple people will be even easier; it |
| an unlimited internet allowance, unless you only | | | | will be almost as though you're in the same room. |
| plan on talking for a few minutes per month. The | | | | At present SkypeKit is available solely to |
| apps may incur a fee in future, but at present all | | | | consumer electronics device developers. The |
| of them are free for use. | | | | company are currently planning a slow roll-out of |
| Skype is also available for business customers and | | | | services and have yet to decide whether other |
| can be routed through a variety of different | | | | web developers will be provided with the kit. Web |
| business phone systems, even if not VoIP, or | | | | developers can still access the Skype API to |
| installed in a completely new system. At present, | | | | integrate the service into computer apps and |
| Skype business usage is managed through Skype | | | | peripheral devices like headphones and webcams. |
| Manager. This program allows you to assign each | | | | What does this mean for eager Skype users |
| phone and user a subscription or a certain amount | | | | everywhere? Mainly, it means that Skype is going |
| of credit for calls to international countries. These | | | | to get a lot easier to use and is going to appear in |
| allowances can be topped up whenever | | | | many more places. We'll begin to see systems |
| necessary. The program also allows managers to | | | | that implement Skype in the car, on your TV or |
| analyse usage time and cost, so you can ensure | | | | stereo, and potentially even on refrigerators and |
| your employees are using their calls as they | | | | other kitchen appliances. Skype's steps forward |
| should. Calls between VoIP phones are free and in | | | | could not only be progress for the company, but |
| general Skype's rates are very cheap, making the | | | | for VoIP systems in the home. Business VoIP |
| switch a great idea for smaller businesses looking | | | | systems are widespread; perhaps in the coming |
| save some cash. | | | | years we'll see consumer systems become just |
| Skype's next step is to implement their service | | | | as common. |