Voice-over-Internet-Protocol company Skype has recently released a much-awaited upgrade to its popular VoIP software. The new version 2.0 features security updates and added features, such as a new interface and improvements in the personalization options. What’s notable with this new release is the video conferencing feature. Not only can you talk with family, friends, and colleagues over long—or short—distances for free, you can now see each other on your computer screens!
Skype is known for the excellent voice quality of its PC-to-PC calls, even through low bandwidth connections, and this is more so with high speed connections. The fidelity is so good that you’d think you were in the same room with your correspondent. Now imagine adding video. You then have an excellent telecommunications experience.
Skype video works with any web camera compatible with the installed Operating System. While Skype voice calls will work over dialup connections, broadband is required for video calls.
Prior to Skype’s having built-in video support, third-party software authors attempted to market video conferencing applications that ran over the Skype network (with Skype as the voice provider). However, these were not too widely accepted, as the need for added software on top of Skype proved too cumbersome for the average user. Then of course, there’s brand name recognition—something that other software simply don’t have.
With the emergence of mobile phones that run over the Skype network, we can perhaps expect mobile phones with video to come up in the near future. This is a technology that traditional telecommunications companies have been having a difficult time implementing with existing cellular infrastructure. Turning to VoIP may just be the solution.