Hasta La Gadget!

Nope, it’s not a Facebook “phone,” but it’s probably the closest you’re gonna get to one right now. Skype has just unleashed the no-longer-in-beta version of its 5.0 Windows software, and not only has it drastically tided up the interface, but just like the rumor said, it’s taken advantage of Facebook Connect in a big way. The new version, which will apparently be available for public download within minutes of this post hitting the internet, still has a familiar look and feel, but the most noticeable changes are the addition of photos to the contacts list and the new Facebook tab. Logging into your Facebook account within the program populates your regular News Feed, but also attaches Skype call / SMS buttons next to friends that have either their Skype handles or mobile phone numbers listed on Facebook. Hit one of the buttons and you’re, well, connected! There’s also an option to view your Facebook Phonebook, which basically lists all your contacts’ mobile phone numbers — though, oddly, it doesn’t list Skype handles within that area. Of course, the final version still allows for 10-way video calls and includes the automatic call recovery feature, which brilliantly reconnects dropped calls as if the drop didn’t really happen. If and when these features will hit Skype’s mobile version, your guess is as good as ours — a company spokesperson told us there’s nothing to talk about on that end right now. Of course, we could go on and on about the new software, or you could hit the source link, download it yourself, and let us know what you think about it below.

Update: Skype says the source link should work — even though it says it’s Skype 4.2, the software is 5.0.

Continue reading Skype 5.0 for Windows busts out of beta, integrates your Facebook friends

Skype 5.0 for Windows busts out of beta, integrates your Facebook friends originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For the many who depend on Skype everyday for their phone calls, Jabra has just launched the new Skype-certified Jabra Extreme-for PC. This wireless headset is guaranteed to work with Skype. The Extreme-for PC comes with a pre-paired USB adapter that automatically connects the headset to a PC and Skype software for the simplest plug-and-play experience possible. Just plug the USB adapter into a PC’s USB port and it’s ready for Skyping.

The Extreme-for PC is making its debut at CTIA in San Francisco today. It features multiuse technology, enabling it to connect to two devices at the same time. It offers dual microphones to capture sound while intelligently filtering out background noise. You can pick one up at Best Buy for $99.99.

It may sound fairly bland on paper, but the potential implications here are notable. Tony Bates, who was seen as a major player within Cisco reporting directly to CEO John Chambers, has just left to take over the CEO role at Skype. Cisco’s own blog affirmed that Bates was leaving “to pursue another opportunity,” and The New York Times has it that Joshua Silverman is stepping aside to make room for Mr. Bates. He’ll arrive just in time to make a serious push for an IPO, grab more profit from its blossoming user base (which largely doesn’t pay anything to make Skype-to-Skype calls) and possibly “make a deeper push into carrier and enterprise markets,” as GigaOM puts it. Frankly, we’d be interested in seeing if any leftover synergies (yeah, we said it) could lead to a Skype-enabled Flip Video camcorder. Bates would obviously have great contacts with Cisco in order to make it happen, and honestly, it’d be a win-win for both parties. Crazier things have happened, right?

Continue reading Skype lands Cisco’s Tony Bates as new CEO

Skype lands Cisco’s Tony Bates as new CEO originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When we first caught wind of Fring a while back, Skype compatibility was the draw, but as the years progressed and Fring grew some, the VoIP services didn’t exactly get along. Today, the company’s taking matters into its own hands with the not-so-subtly named FringOut, which appears to provide even cheaper calls to landlines and mobile phones than its powerful namesake. Starting on Nokia’s S60 platform and “coming soon” to Android and iPhone, FringOut’s promising as-low-as one-cent-a-minute calls. Sounds like a deal to us, but of course, call quality is paramount — let us know if you like what you hear if you happen to try it out. PR and video after the break.

Continue reading Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on

Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skype updates Android app for Verizon users, lets you keep the WiFi on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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