What’s this “Skype” thing?

Katrina Belogorsky

Skokie Public Library

July 19, 2011

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 (5.5 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 (built - in)

• Web camera (built- in)

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 Stree• 30% users are use Skype for business• 13% of global long distance happens over Skype.(2010) • 560 Million users (accounts) worldwide (2010)• On 10 May 2011, Microsoft Corporation agreed to acquire

Skype Communications, S.à r.l for US$8.5 billion• Skype is available in 28 languages

Free Features• Skype-to-Skype calls

• One-to-one video calls

• Instant messaging

• Screen sharing

Pay As You Go• Call Phones and mobiles

• SMS

• Call forwarding

• Call identification

• Skype Voicemail

Subscriptions• Lowest calling rates

• Choose unlimited calling

• Best rates to 3-6 month subscription

Skype Premium

• Group video calling with the latest version of SKYPE

• Get help when you need it with live chat support

• Day pass or monthly subscription available

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

Online Number• Your friends call a number and you

pick up on Skype wherever you are in the world, from $18 for 3 month, voicemail included.

• Available in 23 countries

Videoconferencing• All you need is a

webcam• High quality video

with the latest Skype version

• Video calls are FREE

• More options for buisiness

Video Snapshot

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

Conference Calls

• Talk to more people on one call, Free if everyone's got Skype. Add people on phones with Skype Credit or at no extra cost with a subscription.

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

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

Skype Connect™

• Make calls for less than 1 US cent a minute, by integrating Skype with your existing phone system.

• Skype connect can be integrated with the select phone systems.

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

• ooVoo (oovoo.com)Free video chat. Chat from mobile to mobile, mobile to computer,

and Mac® to PC - call up to 6people at once!

• Google Talk – a growing competitor• Google +

some features as Skype