• Skype is a web based calling service allowing users to make free calls to one another via the internet. The company ventures into the hand-held market with the introduction of Mobile Skype, an application allowing users to connect using a variety of devices such as WiFi and cell phones. Domestic calls to cell phones and landlines remain cheap, and international calls only cost a few pennies. For these reasons, and because calls do not count against cell phone minutes, the service has the capacity to reduce cell phone bills and compete in the hand-held market with AT&T and Verizon.PC World: Sneak Peek at Skype for iPhone, Available Tuesday (March 30, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Skype introduced a mobile phone as early as 2007, allowing its users to communicate both online and mobile-to-mobile.BusinessWeek: Skype Goes Mobile (October 18, 2007)
  2. Launched its Apple iPhone application on March 31, 2009Times Online: Apple's iPhone brings Skype to the mobile masses (March 31, 2009)
  3. In addition to the iPhone application, Skype Mobile is already available to Nokia, Windows Mobile and Google Android phonesPC World: Sneak Peek at Skype for iPhone, Available Tuesday (March 30, 2009)
  4. Skype will offer its mobile application to BlackBerry users in MayPC World: Sneak Peek at Skype for iPhone, Available Tuesday (March 30, 2009)
  5. Offers free calls between Skype usersTimes Online: Apple's iPhone brings Skype to the mobile masses (March 31, 2009)
  6. Offers inexpensive calls to cell phones and landlinesTimes Online: Apple's iPhone brings Skype to the mobile masses (March 31, 2009)
  7. Offers international calls for only a few penniesTimes Online: Apple's iPhone brings Skype to the mobile masses (March 31, 2009)
  8. Mobile Skype will now become major competition for Verizon and AT&TPC World: Sneak Peek at Skype for iPhone, Available Tuesday (March 30, 2009)

• Skype Fast Facts

  1. Launched in August of 2003CrunchBase: Skype
  2. Co-founded by Niklas Zennström and Janus FriisHoovers: Skype Profile
  3. President: Josh SilvermanCrunchBase: Skype
  4. Generated $145 million in revenue in the first quarter of 2009CrunchBase: Skype
  5. Sold to eBay in September of 2005 for $2.68 billionCrunchBase: Skype
  6. Has more than 450 million usersTimes Online: Apple's iPhone brings Skype to the mobile masses (March 31, 2009)
  7. Software available in 28 languagesHoovers: Skype Profile
  8. Users can communicate via video if they have webcamsHoovers: Skype Profile
  9. Webbased software allows users to make free calls via the internetHoovers: Skype Profile

• Mobile iPhone Application

  On March 31, 2009, Skype introduced its much-anticipated mobile application for Apple's iPhone, thus making its mobile services accessible to an even larger hand held market, a move it has been pushing towards for awhile. Initially, the iPhone application will not offer all the benefits that other Skype mobile users have, in part due to Apple's relationship with AT&T, now a direct competitor with Skype.USA Today: Review: Skype for iPhone (March 30, 2009)

  Some of the features iPhone users will have access to are free skype-to-skype user calls and international calls at reduced rates. These lower rates will also be available for calls to non-Skype user's cell phones and land lines. Other features include the ability to make calls via iPod touch and sign up for Skype directly from your phone. The main drawback for iPhone users is that calls can only be engaged in when there is WiFi access available. Also, in order to receive incoming calls the user must be logged in.USA Today: Review: Skype for iPhone (March 30, 2009)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Skype | Google Voice | eBay | Vonage | VoIP | GrandCentral | PayPal | Broadband | Hiogi | Fleggaard Ad | How to Monitor Your Child's Text Messages | AT&T | Verizon | Apple Coupons

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