Gizmodo: skypeout

Fring is the World's First True iPhone VoIP App

Jason Chen — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:53:22 EDT

Ignoring previous "iPhone VoIP" apps like Jah Jah, which are only VoIP after you connect to their analog to VoIP bridge, this Fring app seems to be the first real VoIP solution for the iPhone/iPod Touch. To get in on this action you need a jailbroken iPhone, Wi-FI access, and you'll be able to call regular phones using either SkypeOut or SIP (your prices will be determined on which SIP provider you use and how much SkypeOut charges for your particular call). Best of all Fring has built-in IM capabilities for Skype, Google, ICQ, MSN, Twitter, AIM, and Yahoo contacts. The download and install are free. [Fring Install Instructions]

Skype Software Upgraded to Version 3.0

Charlie White — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 11:53:32 EST

On the heels of yesterday's announcement that SkypeOut to the US and Canada won't be free starting in January, the company now released version 3.0 of its free Skype internet phone-calling software, now available for download. We downloaded the new version and it does have a spruced up interface, adding a tab for public chats that hopefully makes that easier to accomplish. There's also a new click-to-call feature that lets you click a number on a webpage to dial it.

This Skype service just gets better and better, and maybe it is worth that $29.95 annual price ($14.95 until February 1). Another great deal is international calling, where you can buy SkypeOut minutes and it's cheap as dirt. Notice that $8.08 of Skype Credit remaining on the top right of my screen shot? On a recent trip to India I thought I'd need $10 worth of SkypeOut minutes, but it only cost me $1.92 for hours upon hours of gabbing half-way around the world. Great deal, especially since Skype-to-Skype calling will still be free. – Charlie White

Download Skype (Free) [Skype Limited, via lifehacker]

Skype To Charge in '07, Buy Early For a Discount

Jason Chen — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 13:47:19 EST

Readers who purchased either the Netgear or Belkin Skype phones should remember that free U.S. and Canada Skypeout calling is only good 'til the end of the year. Starting January '07, you'll have to pay $29.95 for unlimited yearly calling. Pretty cheap, if you compare that your landline or cellphone bill.

Plus, if you order before January 31, 2007, you'll even get a discounted price of $14.95. Heck, even if you're only slightly thinking about buying a Skype phone, you can save $15 by ordering at the discounted rate now and make up your mind later. As always, Skype to Skype calling will still be free. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Skype via TechCrunch]

Skype Phone Converter

Charlie White — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 10:54:43 EDT

Take advantage of those low rates for SkypeOut without having to spring for a new phone with this Skype Phone Converter. If you're unfamiliar with SkypeOut, it lets you use the Skype Internet phone system to reach any phone in the world. The Skype Phone Converter plugs into a USB port on your PC and has a phone jack on the other side, so all of a sudden your plain old telephone turns into a Skype phone.

Converting the analog signals from your phone into digital signals understood by Skype, all you have to do is hit the star key (*) twice and this converter will immediately activate Skype on your PC. Includes a voucher for 30 minutes worth of SkypeOut, barely enough to even get you slightly addicted, and two free months of Skype Voicemail. Available now in the UK for £29.95 ($55). – Charlie White

Product Page [via über gizmo]

Free Skype Calls To the UK, Mexico and Japan Weekends

Jason Chen — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 17:35:17 EDT

At the risk of being Skype whores, we bring to you news that Skype is offering free Skypeout to three countries on selected weekends in July. The UK's weekend is the 15th-16th, Mexico's is 22nd-23rd, and Japan is 29th-30th.

Not that you couldn't make your mates in the UK use Skype so you could talk to them for free, but your mates are dumb, and can't be buggered to use a computer. Try it with one of the various Skype gadgets we've featured here. – Jason Chen

Skype