Communications service Skype has published SkypeKit, a collection of software components and programming interfaces that developers can use to put VoIP software on Internet-capable devices and web sites. Also referred to as “headless Skype “, SkypeKit does not require the Skype client. The SDK includes APIs for voice and video support, instant messaging, and Skype’s “Super Wideband Audio Codec” (SILK). In the first stage, the kit is apparently tailored to the needs of device manufacturers. Over the course of the year, however, another version compatible with desktop and web applications is to be released.

Developers who use SkypeKit will be able to use the label “plugged into Skype” on their devices to show customers that the devices offer Skype functions. At the moment, SkypeKit is available in a beta version for Linux systems. Those who have a Skype account can request an invitation to take part in the program. In its questions and answers blog post, Skype says that membership will cost less than $20 (approximately £13).

Source:  http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Skype-release-a-toolkit-for-adding-VoIP-to-devices-and-web-sites-1028562.html

 

SkypeKit software developer kit [SDK] supporting Linux will be available for download on Wednesday

There will be made available SkypeKit software developer kit [SDK] for download by Skype on Wednesday with the kit aims to bring VoiP calling to any software and electronics. For placing Skype modules like voice and video calling, instant messaging into any desktop app or a compatible internet connected electronic device like TV, there will also be provided programmers tools or better say APIs. Skype has also made available SILK audio codec part of the SDK as part of its aims to establish SILK audio Codec as standard with royalty-free availability of it.

For device makers and desktop app developers, Linux supported SDK will be available from Wednesday with Windows and Mac developers to get their versions of SDK in coming weeks. The kit will initially be launched as invitation-only beta; but developers will have an option to request an invite. At the launch event of SDK, Skype also informed about is plans of coming up with the tablet and mobile OS supported versions of SDK; the step one should not wonder at all in view of the already presence of Skype app on iPhone , and is also featured in Android as third party app.

Source:  http://www.gadgetsnreviews.com/skype-to-make-available-voip-on-any-software-and-electronics-via-sdk/2312.html

iPhone OS 4.0: Steve Jobs at the launch

Apple has released the latest iPhone operating system upgrade, called iOS4, which offers multitasking and more.

Multitasking is, of course, the most long-awaited of new features, but they will be available only to owners of the iPhone 3GS, 4 and new-generation iPod Touch. Owners of the 3G model and iPod Touches sold in 2008 will get some of the new features (but not multitasking), but processing power limits the scale of further upgrades. If you have an original (2007-8 ) iPhone or iPod Touch, then sorry – it’s not going to happen.

Engadget has a comprehensive breakdown of what you can’t do with your 3G – presuming you even managed to update.

Here’s what you can now do:

Multitasking: With a double-click of the home button, you’ll be taken to a screen showing all running applications. This enables background audio – a big win for those who like listening to the radio on the move but don’t like being locked in to one application. Multitasking is expected to bring a boost for Skype, as new VOIP (voice over IP) technology enables calls to be made while the application is closed. (Charles Arthur adds: arguably, this is cooperative “multitasking” like in the classic MacOS days: the foremost app gets pretty much everything.)

Folders: Drag your apps into a named folder and save it on your dock or, alternatively, clump all the useless (read: default) ones into a folder and drop it on your last homepage.

Enhanced mail: For too long mail has been clunky to use – now you can have a merged the viewing of multiple inboxes, open attachments in a third-party app, and your emails will be threaded. However, there’s still no “Mark all as read” button – leaving some time-constrained Twitter users fuming.

iBooks: Read and purchase ebooks direct from your handset with this app launched alongside the iPad.

5x camera zoom: Zoom comes free with the iPhone 4′s 5-megapixel camera, but now those with a 3GS (3.2-megapixel) camera can also get a close up. Those with older models will have to move towards the photo subject.

Enhanced video: This is cool. Tapping the screen whilst shooting video will focus the recording on a chosen subject. Simple and smart. Great for those with iPhone 4 HD recording.

Other iOS4 features:

• Spell check. You’ll still have autocomplete (to turn ‘new hand on deck’ to ‘new Han on deck‘) but now there’s no excuses for misspelt emails.
• Photo sorting. Sort photo albums by events, dates, holidays and faces.
• Wallpaper customisation. Again, only available to owners of later Apple mobile models, but you can now modify your background, like on the iPad.
• Gift apps. Yep, buy apps and send to loved ones/friends. A day too late for Father’s Day (in the UK) but a nice idea.

Here’s video of Steve Jobs unveiling iOS4 in April.

So does iPhone OS 4.0 offer enough for you? And if you’ve updated already, how are you finding it?

Source:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jun/22/apple-iphone-os-4

Skype is developing a multi-tasking happy iOS 4 compatible version of its eponymously-named VoIP app for the iPhone. The company promises the new version will exploit all the new features of the new iOS 4, but says it won’t introduce the app until it is confident the app will meet expectations.

“With every update to the iPhone OS (now called iOS), Apple introduces a number of changes to the software. In order to make sure we give you the best experience possible, we need to carry out some additional tests with the final version of iOS 4.

“When we’re confident that the app will live up to your high expectations, we’ll make it available for download. Stay tuned!”

Critics note that Skype was included within Apple’s iOS 4 demo way back in March — as you see in the clip above. Some are already accusing the VoIP giant of taking its eye off the ball in its development of a new version Skype app for iOS4. Why?

Commenting on the Skype website, ‘jozsefhor’ said, “Last time Skype said “soon,” it was when they talked about the 3G version of the Skype iPhone app, which came out three months after the “soon” press release. So I’m not banking on getting the iOS-aware Skype app before late August. Question is, which year.”

Source: http://www.9to5mac.com/node/18293

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is getting wide popularity and is transferring into the telephone of the future. The greatest attraction of VOIP is that it offers very low costs for any unlimited calls. People are always worried about their monthly telephone bills. Well, with the advancement of VOIP, they can cut short their monthly call bills.

A great advantage of VoIP is that it works similar to email. If you have a very high speed Internet connection or a land phone connected to an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA), you can make any long distance calls at very cheap rates. There are many VOIP service providers who offer unlimited long distance calls for a cheap monthly fee. No fear of making long distance calls, no surcharges and no fear of telephone bills; this is what makes VoIP the telephone of the future.

Most of the VoIP providers have included many features like call waiting, caller ID and call forwarding. Some of them even provide facilities to block calls or to use messages like “away” or ” busy” or “do not disturb”. Another advantage of the VoIP is that they offer three-way calling with no additional charges. Many more options like speed dialling and distinctive rings are also available.

Well, there is no charge or cost involved for a PC-to-PC call provided that VOIP software is installed in both the computers. But there can be a minimal cost involved when calling from PC to phone.

Another great advantage of VoIP is that you can make calls even when you are travelling; VoIP has the advantage of portability. Having a handset, IP phone and Internet accessibility, you can be in touch with your family, business partners and friends even if you are far away from them; no worry about roaming charges, connectivity problems and long distance charges.

Voice over Internet Protocol or widely called as VOIP has gained much popularity among all business people, be it large, small or medium firms. All the firms alike have started to make of this cost effective service.

For small business firms, the first attraction of using VOIP service is cutting their large telephone bills. These small business firms can save huge amounts in their monthly telephone bills, as making call from VOIP is much cheaper than the regular phones. Well, not only that the firms can reduce their phone bills but also reduce the bills of their customers.

The small business firms can go for parallel data exchange like data file along with calls, which makes it so easy to communicate. No extra charge is there for transferring data. VOIP service also provides cost effective voice conferencing. Apart from these features, the VOIP provides every other feature that the local telephone provider gives like caller ID, call waiting, voice mail, call forwarding and like that. The advantage is that most of the VOIP service providers give them free.

Voice over Internet Protocol is also beneficial to small travelling businessmen. All the calls coming to the office can be diverted to VOIP enabled phones. Even when travelling, you can be in constant touch with the office with no fear of huge international call costs.

If a firm has a VOIP service, there is no need for separate telephone and other networks. A single network is cheaper as only a single network bill is there. Moreover a single integrates system is cheaper to install and also to maintain. With more ad more business firms changing to VOIP service, many providers have come up claiming many features. Each day, one might come across a Voice over Internet Protocol service provider with many added features.

Voice over Internet Protocol is getting popular every other day, as the call cost is much cheaper than the traditional phones. Well, there are numerous VOIP providers to choose from, which make it difficult to make a decision.

Well, when choosing VOIP providers there are certain things that should be looked into. The first thing one should consider is the cost of each calls that the VOIP service providers offer. Take a note of the monthly fee that the VOIP service providers may charge. Just check the international cal rates offered by the VoIP service providers and you can come across the lowest providers. May be you will not get all features if the fee is low.

Then one has to look into the various features that the VOIP service provides offer. Just analyse the various features provided by different VOIP service providers and then choose the one that fits you. Call recording, call diverting, voice mail and call waiting are some of the features that the VOIP service provides give.

The next factor that has to be looked into is whether the VOIP service providers provide technical support. Some providers may charge an extra for the technical support. You should also see if the VOIP service providers would provide a IP phone, which is useful when you travel.

Check if you can use your original number as your BVOIP number. Some VOIP service providers allow this and some not.  If you have decided to go for VOIP, always weigh the pros and cons of the various service providers. Not all providers offer the same call rates and features. Well, it is better to some research you take the service of any VOIP provider. Always consider a Voice over Internet Protocol provider based on call cost and the features hat they provide.

If you’re looking to make cheaper calls over the web, Vonage is what you should opt for! Vonage offers high-speed calling service with similar features that you are accustomed to get from your telephone. The only difference here is that it’s available at a lower rate. With the tool, you also get features common on your landline phones, which include Call Waiting, Caller ID, Voicemail or 3-Way Calling.

Ongoing calling plan of Vonage Unlimited includes calls made to US, Canada, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Spain and UK along with free In-Network calls (between users of Vonage) for a mere $24.99/month. Calls on international cell phones haven’t been included with the rate and might be subjected to distinct rates depending on the location. Basic 500-Plan provides free incoming calls (completely) along with outgoing calls for 500 minutes. The company has an activation charge of $29.99, which can be waived off in case, you register online.

Vonage provides certain services that are similar, if not more, to the ones available on your landline phones, which include Caller ID, Call Return, 3-way Calling, Call Forwarding, Call Waiting and Voicemail. You even have the option of keeping your existing number in cases, where your web connection is disturbed or power cut occurs. The company forwards all your calls to your mobile numbers, if you there is an unavoidable network failure.

VOIP of Vonage works well with high-speed net connections. After signing up on their website, you’ll receive a free telephone adapter from the company, which will plug directly into your cable or DSL modem. Thus, you do not require a computer, but a telephone and high-speed Internet for making calls.

Vonage also offers a huge menu of user guides and FAQs. Again, they provide a link, which automatically tests your computer for making sure that it is compatible to Vonage Services. Again, you can also communicate to their officials through email, where they are available 24/7.

Start using one of the leaders in the field of VoIP, Vonage, and you’ll notice the difference while making calls.

I wish you all my VoIP Blog readers very happy new year 2009. Continue visiting my blog. I am taking best efforts to add as much as fresh content regularly. Leave your valuable feedbacks, comments. Feel free to contact me through contact page if you wanted to link exchange with my blog, if you have relevant site or blog. Any suggestions in improving my blog are most welcome.

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VoIP Blog

With free PC-to-PC calling, Skype has been the tool that revolutionized our thinking in relation to voice communications. Simply add wireless handset or USB and you are sure to forget all about making emergency calls on standard landlines. Skype calls are available with discounts, especially in cases when you are making a call abroad. However if you are a heavy user of Skype for calling UK landlines, you have the opportunity of saving more by upgrading the software to Skype Pro. Skype Pro is an excellent blend of paid services and unmetered calls on UK landlines, which will help you in squeezing some extra cash.

You’ll notice very little difference after upgrading to Skype Pro. The only change might be that the credit in your Skype in your account will go up by 4 pounds. This new utility is a reshuffle of its standard package. It’s not an enhancement to the Skype Software. Biggest saving probably comes alongside unmetered calls to any national landline. There’s connection charge of only 3.3p/call and fair-use policy limiting you to 50 hours of talk-time/month.

Performance

Since there is no modification in settings, Skype Pro is similar in performance to the standard software. If you are still not into the original, download the new version and use its sample form with free service. At an affordable rate, the quality of calls is also good.

Easy to use

Since the designing of Skype Pro is similar to its previous version, it continues to remain easy-to-use software. Added features, which include voicemail, might complicate things initially. Still, it remains very simple.

Value for money

Apart from being affordable when it comes to call rates, Skype Pro also provides discount on certain hardware along with numerous service options, which include SkypeIn (your Skype Number for people with landlines).

If you have no problems with a slight reduction in the quality of call, you cannot go wrong with your decision of changing to Skype Pro.