VoIP 883 HD » Skype

Skype shuts down developer program, lack of interest cited

live.phone — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:11:40 +0000

Skype has shut down Extras, its developer program, because the company said it was not being used by enough developers to warrant continuing it, according to a TechCrunch post. The program allowed developers to make Skype-based plugins that use the Skype network in other applications, but commentators like Michael Arrington and Om Malik said the program never allowed Skype calling ability to be integrated deeply enough with the other applications to drive significant volume of development activity.

Malik held out hope that Skype’s new owners might institute a more developer friendly program to create new ways to use Skype with third-party applications, which could expand the service’s utility and also drive revenue growth.

He said the move to shutter Extras would be detrimental to Skype’s long-term growth, as the developer community would turn to other services potentially causing innovation around Skype to flag.

Given the choice between developing for the iPhone or Skype, I would choose the iPhone right now. However, the landscape is always changing.

Skype for Asterisk may make eBay jealous after sale

live.phone — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:44:44 +0000

eBay wanted to sell Skype a year ago, and the company finally sold Skype yesterday. Retaining a 30-percent interest in Skype, eBay actually came out pretty well on the deal. Now Skype for Asterisk will help even more.

Digium, makers of the Asterisk open source PBX, announced the formal launch of Skype for Asterisk, a software load that will allow seamless access to Skype services using Asterisk PBXs. Skype for Asterisk, which was announced at AstriCon Sept. 25, 2008, has been in beta testing with more than 4,000 participants, according to Digium’s Pete Engler. The product, which carries a one-time, per-channel license fee of $66, is now available for purchase at the Digium store.

Engler, product manager for strategic products for Digium, said the beta group included businesses and VARs that saw the integration of Skype for Asterisk as a way to lower costs while also improving functionality.

Nimbuzz rolls out upgraded iPhone, iPod Touch VoIP clients

live.phone — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:44:30 +0000

On Thursday, Nimbuzz released a significant upgrade to its iPhone application including integration into SkypeOut and 10 SIP networks for cheap international phone calls over WiFi, plus an app to enable calls on an iPod Touch.

New features include the introduction of a dial pad and the ability to make VoIP calls to landlines and mobiles via Skype-Out. Nimbuzz provides the available Skype credit left on the dial pad when using Skype Out for phone calls to landlines and mobile phones. New VoIP call options are available through the company’s global affiliate SIP partners, including Gizmo5, Vyke, and SIPgate.

The networks are integrated into the interface to use Nimbuzz for cheap international calls to landlines and mobile phones over WiFi. A two week online banner campaign to promote iPhone SIP calling functionality will be conducted on partner sites Gizmo5, Vyke, and SIPgate.

In its press release, Nimbuzz also took the time to brag about adding one new user in less than 4 seconds, translating to over 20,000 new users a day; however, the company would not disclose the total number of users it has According to an October 2008 user survey, 95 percent of Numbuzzers would recommend the service to a friend. There are also signed manufacturer partnership agreements with RIM, Spice Mobiles, and Toshiba.