Logitech, Skype Ink Frendship
Logitech and Skype have announced a tie-up, bringing free video calling to Skype users across the globe.
Skype Video, which includes a full-screen video mode, has been released to the Skype community as part of the Skype 2.0 beta launched yesterday. The latest version of Skype includes video calling, and is designed to work with Microsoft Outlook. Skype 2.0 is initially available, only for Windows XP.
Skype's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology enables users to talk to each other free-of-charge, via a headset or microphone. Cheap calls to landlines and mobile phones are also possible and now with video calling integrated into Skype 2.0, users can see each other as well.
Logitech and Skype have worked together, to certify Logitech QuickCam webcams and PC headsets with the newly announced Skype Video feature, with a view towards providing a superior experience for Skype users.
Both companies will engage in world-wide joint marketing of Skype Video and Logitech webcams and headsets, targeting Logitech customers as well as the Skype community.
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Placing video calls over the Internet with the help of a Web cam is nothing revolutionary and is already available in competing products from the likes of AOL, MSN and Yahoo, but Skype is hoping to bring the same P2P magic it brought to voice calls. Though Skype was not a pioneer in offering free VoIP calls, it's become one of the biggest brands in the arena, with more than 58 million registered users.
The move to video was largely in response to Skype users' demands, according to James Bilefield, vice-president of global business development at Skype. He told silicon.com: "We sensed a frustration with users — 'You did a great job with voice, can you help us out with video too?'."
Skype Technologies, the Luxemburg company famous for its free Internet telephone calls, last week launched an update that brings us closer to an elusive technological dream: the videophone.
The Skype 2.0 software offers the ability to see as well as hear computer-to-computer callers — provided that both parties have webcams.
