The Mobile World Congress in Barcelona could see a joint conference being hosted by Skype and Verizon Wireless collectively. Such speculations would mean a gear up for Skype over 3G on Verizon’s network. By using special Skype phones, users of the U.K.-based network carrier 3 are a fortunate few who are already using Skype calling on their cell phone network, but if the rumor is true, then things may soon be changing for good for all you fellows using Verizon, but would it involve the use of special phones as well or would the iPhone and the like, with some software/firmware, be good enough to handle the calls. This is something we’ll have to wait and watch for, until the speculations are official.

Via: TMCnet Bloggers

In an attempt to further develop its VoIP calling service, Skype has released beta versions of its VoIP calling service for Windows desktops and Symbian S60 handsets. The beta release of version 4.2 includes a range of improvements, including a browser plug-in for Chrome. The usual features include free Skype-to-Skype calls, instant messaging, file sending capabilities and low-cost non-Skype phone calls. The new version also brings with it the Skype Access that facilitates finding and signing up for Wi-Fi hotspots. Another version of the software is meant for the Symbian S60 devices. The limited beta release for Symbian Series 60 handsets is compatible with 17 Nokia handsets for now.

The features include free Skype-to-Skype calling, calling phones with Skype credits or subscription, receiving calls on your online number, instant messaging, group conversations, and file sending and receiving. Both the Windows beta and Symbian beta are available now for download.

Via: Pocket-Lint/InformationWeek

In order to perk up the Google Voice, the company has acquired Gizmo5, a Voice over the Internet Protocol network and software provider.

While there isn’t any official price listed as of now, but word on the Internet claim that it could have been for $30 million.

Seems Google is all set to spread out its voice operations in one way or another. This combined with the AdMob deal, the mobile advertising giant for $750 million in stock, makes one think if Google could build an ad-supported calling network, or any other combination of voice and advertisement, what do you say?

In order to get into the ‘multicultural’ land of Linux distributions, Skype has decided to work on an open source UI layer for its Linux VoIP client. Now the Linux developers would be in a position to influence the development of the Skype client for Linux, which would directly result in specific versions for the different distributions.

Availability

Skype 2.1 beta for Linux is available for free download now, here, for Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10+, Debian Lenny, Fedora 9 and 10+, OpenSUSE 11+, and as a Dynamic Static download.

Apple has approved VoIP application from Rebtel, a Stockholm-based company. At present, Rebtel is available to download from the iTunes store, as well as other VoIP applications like Skype. The service also works over AT&T’s 3G network, making it less necessary to have a Wi-Fi connection.

Although, Rebtel joins a growing rank of Internet telephony applications including Skype, Truphone, Nimbuzz, Fring and Vonage yet it is excited after getting green light from Apple and is looking forward to executing on some of the ideas they have planned for future updates.

Via: Gigaom

India would not allow any access to VoIP calls as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) wants to block all Internet Telephony Services.

IB asserted that the country is lacking the capability of tracking the telephony calls — both domestic & international — and had asked the Department of Telecom (DoT) to find an “early solution to this issue in the interest of national security”.

According to TRAI, over 130 million minutes of internet telephony conversation happened in the Q1 of 2009 and there are 34 ISPs who provide net telephony service in India (legally).

Cyber security expert Vijay Mukhi said that IB should have issued such directions immediately after the 26/11 terror attacks. “The terrorists used net telephony as they were aware that India did not have the technological capabilities to do a live trace of such calls.

In the US and Europe, all players who offer VoIP services have provisions that allow governments to track these calls. Many of them have also installed equipment at their premises to monitor VoIP calls upon orders from governments,” he added.

And this isn’t the first time, govt. has mulled over such ‘technically-challenged’ decision. Few months back, the government wanted Google/Yahoo/Microsoft to Host Indian Email accounts ending with .in, servers in India.

Blocking VoIP calls or creating Indian email accounts is no way to resolve the security threats in fact the need of the hour is to upgrade their own infrastructure to combat such threats. What do you say?

In order to stay on top of the ocean of competition, companies are looking forward to give more powers to users in terms of building apps by the third-party developers. Thus extending value to their products and platforms as is the case with Apple, Mozilla and Facebook but it seems Skype does not want to be in the league.

It is preventing the third party developers to create add-ons for its VoIP service. Further, Skype won’t certify any new submissions however, all existing Extras will stay certified until their expiration dates and all unused test tickets will be reimbursed. The exiting Extras could be installed through the Windows desktop client and would be featured in the Skype shop. It will also continue to maintain its public application programming interface.

Users like to work on software that give them tools at their disposal, they like to relish the power by using them, by curbing rather cutting the Extra service, I hope Skype is not committing some mistake that would reflect in the near future. Or else may be conclude that Skype does not want to expand its base with the developers/users?

Previously the satellite phones were huge suitcase size devices however with the advent of latest technology, the size of the devices have reduced considerably.

You may now experience a VoIP call over a satellite network, Elektrobit a Finnish engineering company has come up with the technology.

Quite similar to smartphones, the satellite-terrestrial smartphone reference design represents the world’s first quad-band GSM and tri-band WCDMA/HSPA device running the Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) Mobile 6.5 operating system, and offering integrated satellite-terrestrial voice and data capabilities.

Additional features include:
• The only fully IP-based satellite phone using high-speed packet data;
• A touch screen and a full QWERTY keyboard;
• Based on Windows Mobile operating system, with competitive service offerings, including: SMS, MMS, IM, Email, Push to Talk and Location Based Services (LBS).

If your families/relatives are residing abroad then USB SkypeDECT Hub is just right for you. Not only is it expedient for your home but equally important in adding a level of convenience to your office as well.

Chinavasion describes the product as ‘a USB hub that you plug your computer, landline and phone into and it lets you get and make Skype calls from your land line’.

The hub is fully synchronized with Windows 2000, XP and Vista and Skype version 1.2 or later and DECT phones. It comes with a FXS port and a PSTN (pass-though) port and ships with software catering for a host of languages - namely English, Portuguese, Polish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese.
Over all, the USB SkypeDECT Hub is a wonderful product as it allows consolidating VoIP phone calls into the landline phone.

Via: Nexus404

There are 12 types of applications that Microsoft will not authorize in the Windows MarketPlace for Mobile.

Marketplace for Mobile is due to launch in the second half of the year, along with Windows Mobile 6.5, the next version of Microsoft’s mobile OS.
Microsoft recently began inviting developers to sign up to sell applications in the Marketplace. In launching an application store, Microsoft is catching up to Apple, Google and Research In Motion.

Image: Mobile-ent

Via: PCWorld