Archive for: VoIP
While the exact cause of today’s Skype implosion (Microsoft acquisition jokes aside) is unknown, a temporary fix has been offered by by Skype themselves that should at least get desktop users back online. It’s not too involved as it involves deleting a single shared.xml file, so even computer beginners should be able to follow along. With that said, we’re not quite sure how a single file located on multiple platforms could take down Skype on a global scale.
Instructions after the break…
If you like Skype and you like Firefox, it might be a time to forge ahead with a new partnership — at least for the near term. Today, Mozilla announced that they were blocking the Skype toolbar on all versions of Firefox due to it’s extreme crash-prone nature. This past week alone Mozilla claims to have tied over 40,000 crash logs to the toolbar/plugin alone!
The current shipping version of the Skype Toolbar is one of the top crashers of Mozilla Firefox 3.6.13, and was involved in almost 40,000 crashes of Firefox last week
While I’m not a fan of plugins in large numbers due to the fact that they slow down the browser, many other people are. I can certainly understand people being a bit peeved of being unable to use Skype’s in-page calling whenever and wherever. Skype understandably, can’t be too happy either. Though the company hasn’t officially spoken on the matter yet. We’ll let you know if/when they do.
- December 30, 2010 12:29 pm
Internet phone services such as Skype are about to have a much harder time operating within China’s borders, if at all. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that “We are carrying out with relevant authorities a campaign to crack down on illegal Voice over Internet Protocol phone services” — In this case, “illegal” means any service that is not state-owned and under the direct control of the Chinese government. On that same note, vice-minister Xi Guohua was quoted by the Beijing Morning Post saying that “only state-owned major Chinese telecommunications operators were licensed to provide internet phone services linking telephones and computers”.
In a country with 450 million+ internet users, such a restriction has far-reaching consequences that will affect one of the world’s largest internet markets. Not surprisingly, Chinese citizens are already voicing their displeasure on internet forums and websites, claiming the crackdown is being enforced solely for the benefit of state-owned monopolies and their over-priced services — services that Skype and others offer at much lower costs. Regardless, such a crackdown is a disappointing and unnecessary.
- December 29, 2010 9:17 am
Right before Christmas last week — Exactly the same time in which millions of separated individuals were trying to Skype loved ones no less — Skype’s service went down in a glorious explosion of failure. And now, we know why. Hint: Blame Windows…
- December 20, 2010 2:37 pm
This past August, Google unveiled a new feature within Gmail giving users the ability to place phone calls on their computer quickly and easily. Sweetening the deal came by way of “free” phones through the end of 2010.
Today, Google has come forward and changed their story, though for the better. Now, Gmail users can make free calls for the rest of 2010 and all of 2011. The reasoning behind Google’s actions here aren’t yet known. While Google makes truckloads of money every day, paying for people to conduct millions of phone calls during the same time period can’t be cheap.
We’ve reached out to Google for clarification and will report back when more is known.
Bad news for Nimbuzz users — Skype is no longer a supported service. But before we get too far, let’s back track a bit.
A couple of months back, Fring intentionally blocked Skype because of network issues. But when the company moved to re-activate the popular VoIP service, they found out that it was Skype that had gone on the offensive this time and chosen to block service.
And now, Nimbuzz is seeing the same end of the ban hammer, with Skype requesting that all Skype services be discontinued by October 31st. But even worse for Skype users, the company is pushing to disconnect all 3rd party services that use their API.
The general consensus is that Skype is merely preparing for their IPO which they filed back in August. But the growing story is that Cisco is eying an acquisition. Good for Skype, apparently bad for consumers.
With Cisco being a hardcore corporate company, can we write off Skype in the consumer sphere? I mean, once acquired by a suit and tie type of organization, will it be business as usual — limit services, access, and consumer-oriented features while simultaneously jacking up the price because it carries the “corporate” tag?
Any Fring (and now Nimbuzz) users feeling a bit peeved?
Update
A Skype PR rep just shot me an email highlighting the following:
Skype believes and were concerned that Nimbuzz’s application was in violation of Skype’s API Terms of Use and End User License Agreement (EULA). Skype offered to meet with Nimbuzz and discuss the issue; however, we have not heard back from them since our last correspondence with them in early August. Like any company that has APIs or an SDK, Skype has certain rules that guide the development of apps using those tools. Such rules help protect the Skype brand and our end user experience.
…
Skype makes two development platforms available to developers. Skype’s Public API, which has been available for a number of years already, is a great solution for hardware accessories such as headsets and webcams that connect to Skype’s standard desktop clients (this tool is what Nimbuzz is using improperly). However, ever since we released the Public API, developers have been asking for a solution that works WITHOUT the Skype desktop application. Enter SkypeKit. Think of SkypeKit as a “headless” version of Skype — that is, a Skype client with no user interface that runs invisibly, not only on PCs, but also TVs, notebooks, and other Internet connected devices. Developers communicate with SkypeKit through the SkypeKit API, surfacing Skype features (i.e., IM, voice or video calls) through their own applications.
Some fodder to chew on.
- September 24, 2010 7:28 am
Ever since the ground breaking G1 dropped on T-Mobile back in 2008, many (including myself) have been begging and pleading for UMA support. UMA was a huge selling point for T-Mobile for at least a few months before Android became the talk of the town. But then once the jolly green giant hit, UMA was kind of neglected. We’ve heard rumors of previous Android handsets that were supposed to feature UMA, which ultimately didn’t materialize.
But as you can see on the LG Optimus flyer above, “Native WiFi calling” is a feature that’s listed fairly prominently. Now, “WiFi calling” can be done on a number of services and apps. That doesn’t mean it’s UMA — neither does the “Native” part of it either. The Optimus could simply come bundled with some VoIP app/service. And let’s not overlook the fact that “UMA” is not mentioned anywhere on this material. I’d think if it were something as big as UMA coming to Android that T-Mo would emphasize it a bit more prominently. Still the optimist in me will stand in eager excitement, fingers crossed.
What do you guys think? Is UMA finally coming to Android?
I’ve found myself hovering back and forth between eBuddy and Nmbuzz for my multi-IM needs over the last few months. While I preferred Nimbuzz both for it’s UI and overall feel, constant drop outs especially on Facebook were a pain. eBuddy on the other hand doesn’t have these problems, but it isn’t exactly the most beautiful app to look at either. Perhaps Nimbuzz 2.0 can help me with my dilemma, hmm?
Fresh off the shelf, Nimbuzz 2.0 brings some pretty big enhancements that cater to a wide variety of people. But there’s no doubt that the biggest new addition is the in-house “NimbuzzOut” VoIP solution that promises cheap international calls to anyone in your phone book without using your minutes. Other notable features include:
- Dialer Tab: A new dialer tab further pushes this whole vocal communication move, allowing Nimbuzz users plenty of options via Nimbuzz’s SIP partners (Google/Gizmo5, Sipgate, Xeloq, T-Pad, VoIPax, Gulfsip, IPS, Badatel and more).
- Improved Facebook integration with Facebook Connect: Further bolstering the social aspect of Nimbuzz, Facebook integration is claimed to be more stable and rock solid (I’ll let you know how that goes) with the introduction of Facebook Connect.
- Friend Suggestions: Friend Suggestions searches through your phonebook and alerts you to contacts whom are already using Nimbuzz.
- New user settings: More user customization options via different layouts, ability to fine tune your account credentials, and edit your profile information all within the app.
There’s certainly enough to warrant the big jump to the 2.0 numbering. Now I’ll have to spend the next several days testing it all out to see if it’s really as good as it’s claimed to be. From the looks of things so far however, I’d say Nimbuzz is on the right track. Head on over to the Android Market, try it out for yourselves, and let us know how it goes.
Hop inside for a video detailing all of the new Nimbuzz 2.0 features in depth…
You know, I’ve always wanted to trek deep into the forests out west, dragging along a 45lb full-tower computer, and camp out in the middle of the wilderness all while enjoying an intense LAN party. Especially with a full sized computer, mobility is extremely rare. But if I had some sort of solar/wind powered contraption to get me going, maybe my look could change.
The tale of the image above involves a need for a VoIP node where infrastructure wasn’t in place, meaning costly upgrades. Simple concept. After weighing the cost/benefit plans, it looks like self sustainability ended up costing less than erecting new structures, power lines, etc. Hey, I won’t argue with that. The thought of 100% green WiFi is pretty nifty. Toss in another solar panel or add a second fan and you’ve got yourself a mobile LAN rig of epic proportions. Oh yeah, you all want one of these.
See you in the woods…
