CES - Skype sets tongues wagging for free

Gareth O’Loughlin, Skype's general manager of mobile and hardware devices said Internet access is rapidly spreading beyond just the home or office computer, and a world increasingly blanketed with wireless connections is giving Skype conversations the freedom to travel almost anywhere.

“With the introduction of new mass-market devices at CES that support Skype, millions of people around the world will now be able to leave the desk behind, put Skype in their pocket and take their conversations with them. I think that is immensely liberating,” he said.

The provider has worked closely with a number of its hardware and software partners to bring Skype functionality to an increasing number of mobile products that use a variety of wireless network connections to access the Internet.

This includes offering mobile support for Skype’s free instant messaging and voice calling amongst 246 million registered Skype users. It also has features, such as SkypeOut (calls from Skype to traditional landlines or mobile phones anywhere in the world) and SkypeIn (a portable Skype number that people can call you on, wherever you are in the world).

Some of the new wireless devices and accessories being demonstrated at CES 2008 include;

3 Skypephone – introduced together with mobile operator 3, this mass market 3G wireless handset lets users make Skype-to-Skype calls and send Skype instant messages from their mobile phone to other Skype users no matter where they are. The 3 Skypephone is available in the UK, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Sweden, and will soon be available in Hong Kong.

FreetalkWireless Stereo Headset – this Wireless Stereo Headset, is enabled by AvneraAudio technology. It offers superior range (up to 20 meters) compared to technologies such as Bluetooth, freeing you from your desk to make and receive the full range of Skype calls while moving throughout your home or office.

Intel-based Mobile Internet Devices – mobile users will be able to make Skype voice and video calls and send instant messages with Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) based on Intel low-power processors and chipsets.
Nokia N810 Internet Tablet – a pocket-sized WiFi device with a slide-out keyboard, allowing Skype-to-Skype conversations and SkypeOut calls to take place in any WiFi connection, including thousands of Boingo Wireless and Earthlink WiFi hotspot locations.

The mobile Skype experience is available for media at Skype’s booth during ShowStoppers at CES 2008.