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Remember what we told you about Skype needing to give itself a boost to avoid getting sacked by its mother company, eBay? Well, after successive announcements the past couple of weeks, it looks like Skype is really out to prove itself and hopefully sends the signal that its “synergies are strong.” For its latest buzz creation strategy, Skype has just taken version 3.9 for Windows out of beta.

So, what’s in mean for us, the Skype-using public with this new version? A couple of good features actually, including reduced background noise during calls, less delay, fewer call drops and fewer cut-offs. Plus, changing headsets, headphones and microphone will now be easier as Skype 3.9 will adjust the settings of the devices automatically. Another major improvement made by Skype is the taking out the default profile image that previously shows up when authorization request is incoming. This is in response to users’ demand as some of them encounter offensive profile photos of other Skype users. These plus other improvements which the Skype blog did not mention, are supposed to come with the new version of Skype for Windows.

It’s up to you if you want to be part of Skype’s move towards strengthening its synergies. By all means download the new Skype for Windows version or just continue using the old one.

Via [Skype]

Getting pressured by eBay into proving its worth seems to be working well with Skype. After recently offering unlimited calls to their users at an affordable rate, Skype is making headway yet again with the beta release of their mobile client. The Skype for Mobile now works with around fifty Java-enabled phones worldwide. Yes, this new service works with incoming calls from Skype and SkypeIn features. It also features chat, chat group and Skype presence.

In addition, Skype for Mobile features Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls for mobile handsets, but only for Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Sweden and the UK.

If you want to give Skype for Mobile a spin, as I know you really want to just like me, you can either download the application directly into your mobile phone or download it into your computer before transferring it into your mobile phone. And if you are not sure whether your mobile phone supports Skype-for-Mobile, you may check out the Skype-for-Mobile site and look into the directory of mobile phones supporting this Skype mobile client.

Read [Skype]

eBay has given Skype one more year to prove its viability and relevance to eBay’s online auction service. Skype was acquired by eBay with the hopes of the VoIP company helping boosts its online commerce business. However, since its acquisition, Skype failed to live up to eBay’s expectation of bringing more tie-ins between Skype and eBay’s online payment system through call-billing arrangement.

Citing an interview with the Financial Times, News.com reports that eBay CEO John Donahue said that eBay is giving Skype until the end of this year to test its synergies and if the synergies are strong, eBay will keep Skype in its portfolio. For eBay, its not a question of whether Skype is generating revenue for the company but more on the question of whether Skype blends well with eBay and its other web products and services.

In fact, Skype has managed to generate around $126 million in revenues during the first quarter of this year, which is a 61-percent increase from previous year’s first quarter revenue. Profit wise, it is expected to generate $500 million and still manage to post a profit. But this seems to be not enough for eBay to keep Skype. It wants something more from the PC-to-PC calling service. And whether Skype can give what eBay wants remains to be seen. Skype has a few more months to shape up, before it finds itself lost in limbo or still with eBay’s care and comfort.

Read [CNET]

I have used my share of VoIP phones out there, so when Plantronics sent me the newish Calisto Pro Series, I didn’t have too high of expectations.  However I became impressed quickly with the great Bluetooth integration, among other features.  There are three ways you can talk on the phone (or Skype): speakerphone, on the handset, or on the included Bluetooth headset.  This amount of flexibility is a great thing to have when you’re in an office—or even at home—since you have the choice to go anywhere in your house.  So what if you want to sit in your living room, and the Bluetooth signal can’t make it that far?  Don’t worry, the headset is paired with the handset, so just bring the handset with you!

Have I mentioned that the Calisto can also be used as your landline phone?  Well, it sure can.  The device has seemless integration with both Skype (and your computer) and your landline connection.  So if you’re talking long distance to someone across the world, and hang up to make a local call, you don’t even have to switch anything… just hang up, dial the number, and press talk.

Design

Overall, the Calisto’s design is sleek, but not too fancy.  The phone’s handset is a bit bulky, but it’s smaller than most traditional cordless phones, so we won’t dock them there.  The Bluetooth headset is a big flimsy, and I had a hard time with it - but while you’re sitting at your desk, it’s really OK to have a flimsy headset on since you’re not making any sharp movements that will knock it off.

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Here’s another one of ‘em uber cool devices that you would want to have even if it hasn’t been released yet. Callpod’s new Bluetooth adapter which goes by the branding – the Drone. Based from its published details and specifications, you can easily ascertain that the Drone is one device that’s going to simplify the why you connect your gadgets and devices.

The Drone is a nifty little piece of hardware that lets you stream audio files from your PC to your Bluetooth enabled devices at a maximum range of 100 meters. Sounds fun? Wait, it gets even better because the Drone also streams incoming VoIP calls from your PC and allows you to attend to the call using your Bluetooth headsets even when you are doing something else. And did I mention that you wander up to 100 meters (about 328 feet) and stay within range of the Drone.

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Logitech has shown-off a new headset at CeBIT, the ClearChat PC Wireless headset. It combines a comfortable looking stereo headset with 2.4GHz technology which will let you stray up to 30-feet away from your computer. It also looks to provide an audio rich experience that keeps interference at a minimum.

The headset works with both PC’s and Mac’s, and is compatible with Skype, Windows Live, Yahoo, Google Talk and AIM. It is expected to have a May release in the U.S. and Europe and should retail for $99.99.

Via [Business Wire]

Without any recent lawsuit news Vonage has managed to stayed out of the headlines for a while. This time its just a few simple personnel changes. First, the Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Sharon O’Leary will be leaving the company at the end of Q1. Second, Mike Sears has been announced as the new Senior Vice President of Global Service Delivery Operations which puts him in charge of “all customer contacts.” Hopefully with the lawsuits seemingly behind them and these recent changes they will continue to move forward. I for one would like to see Vonage succeed.

Read [PR Newswire]

We have come a long way from the days of headsets for Skype calls (thankfully), and we are now starting to see more and more traditional telephone style handsets on the market. The one really inconvenient aspect of Skype (and other VoIP services) is the need to have your computer turned on all the time - that just restricts the ability to use Skype as a regular phone service rather than something that you do via the computer.

The new Desktop Internet Phone from Belkin does away with the need to use the computer, looks great and at $99.99 is pretty affordable. What it does lack though, and this is why I personally wouldn’t get one, is a built in web cam. That said it is still well worth taking a look at, it features:

• A speaker, speed dial, call hold/release, call pickup/park, mute, redial, hold, call-timer display and contact list.
• Contact list supports over 500 sets of Skype and SkypeOut contacts.
• Automatically logs into Skype after initial login.
• Plugs into port on wired/wireless router or a live Ethernet port so you can immediately start making calls.
• Supports inexpensive SkypeOut calls to landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world, which requires the purchase of Skype credits on Skype.com.
• Supports SkypeIn, a personal and portable Skype number that people can call you on wherever you are in the world, which requires the purchase of a SkypeIn subscription on Skype.com.

We have already highlighted VoIP as a key trend for 2008 so it is no surprise to see Samsung unveil the new SyncMaster 220TN monitor, the company’s first V2oIP-enabled network monitor.

“Due to its high-performance value coupled with its unique V2oIP capabilities, the SyncMaster 220TN monitor was named a 2008 CES Innovations Honoree.”

The attractive 220TN features a built in high quality 2-megapixel camera, with a microphone and speaker. As it works as a thin client it combines efficient communication with increased security.

At $1249 it isn’t cheap so it is primarily going to be attractive to the business user or the consumer who talks a lot, but with its high resolution of 1680 x 1050, wide 16:10 aspect ratio, superior image screen that provides a 170/160 viewing angle makes it ideal for airport kiosks, hotel lobbies and hospitals. 

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Phillips are another company getting behind the 2008 VoIP trend with the launch of a range of attractive looking webcams and VoIP phones.

VoIP isn’t new but it has certainly gained more acceptance in recent years as a genuine business instrument, rather than a home application that helped people keep in touch, where the cost and novelty made up for the poor quality of the image and the restriction of the typical headset.

“More consumers are relying on Internet communication to stay in touch, so it is essential that reliable and high-performance technology is available for even the longest calls and most demanding callers,” said Glenn McIlmail, vice president, customer marketing Peripherals and Accessories, Philips Consumer Lifestyle North America. “Philips is offering solutions to open the world to clear, low-cost communication, allowing everyone to stay connected with business contacts, friends and family across the globe.”

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