$95.88 Isn’t Enough

$95.88.

That’s the cost of a year’s worth of unlimited North America calling via Skype.

Apparently that’s not enough. Skype now wants to monetize me by showing ads.

Sure they’re not directly in your face.  And one can understand advertising to FREE users.

But why am I paying to be advertised to?

This sort of feels like cable TV – which I hate – since a good third of the time spent watching TV is viewing ads.

Most people hate their cable company too. This is a slippery slope for Skype.

Over the last two years my Skype usage has increased due to the user experience. Skype is simple, easy and devoid of distractions.

The collaboration tools and general accessibility fit my work style. It’s just that ads don’t.

For paying users ads should be opt-out.

And if you really need more, just charge me double.

Skype’s Business Dilemma

Who’s on first?

Andy Abramson has interesting thoughts on the future of Skype’s business pursuits based on an article in today’s New York Times. Skype currently finds itself in a precarious position – as Andy points out – as they prepare for their public offering and next phase of operations.

For the longest time Skype has been thought of as a consumer service. This has served Skype well in the past and gotten them to a tremendous scale, but it will not allow them to prosper in the next phase of their business.

To do that they need to find lots of customers to spend lots of money on minutes.

Enter businesses.
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eBay’s mishandling of Skype continues

eBay’s inability to fully integrate and maximize the potential of Skype within it’s core offerings has been well documented over the last few years. And even in prepping Skype for sale or an IPO, eBay continues its string of boneheaded moves when it comes to the world most popular voice and video service.

According to a statement released by eBay recently, eBay is discontinuing Skype voice and chat buttons in listings as of 10th June 2009 in an effort to remove features with limited buyer and seller usage. The move will start with eBay’s UK site and one can assume it will eventually happen across all of eBay’s sites.

You’d think that at a time when you’re getting ready to sell or go public the eBay team would be trying to increase usage (thus resulting in increased profits) – not decrease it. Sure eBay should protect it’s proprietary innards that Skype is tied to, but remove it completely?

That just doesn’t make business cents.

Scoop via TechCrunch

Skype for iPhone Review

As I covered yesterday, the native Skype client for the iPhone was released today.

Being both a Skype and iPhone user I grab the new Skype client this morning. Before making any test calls or messages, I decided to give the Skype client a quick “feature spin.”

Skype for iPhone feature overview

After a quick download from the app store I found that the Skype for iPhone client allows Skype users to:

• Call other Skype users
• Call out via SkypeOut
• Manage your contacts
• View chats and calling history
• View and edit your account information

Missing from Skype’s native desktop functionality is:

• Ability to purchase SkypeOut credit directly
• SMS messaging
• Conference calling
• Voicemail retrieval
• Video
• File transfers

There are likely a few others, but those were the major missing features. Once I had an opportunity to familiarize myself with the Skype for iPhone client, I spent some time putting the client through it’s paces.
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Smith on VoIP readers talk Skype’s SILK codec

I’ve said it before. There are a lot of smart people reading this blog.

What started as a thought about how Skype can get a market presence in the business sector has segwayed into some sound thinking about the relevance of Skype’s new wide band voice codec SILK.

Here’s a sampling from the comments section:

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Skype’s quality is not the issue with businesses

It’s funny that Skype continues to try and angle its way into the lucrative business communications space when all they need to do is improve the business user experience.

Today Skype is still a consumer experience. AIM on steriods.

At least that’s how it’s viewed by many a business user and IT administrator. Coming from a business user and someone who’s worked with thousands of business VoIP users I’d have to agree.

Just look at the hardware made for Skype. Cools toys and gadgets.

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Did Skype Appoint The Wrong CEO?

I don’t typically comment on hirings and firings. I always found it a bit “arm chair” to do so because unless you have worked for or with the person in question, it is difficult to truly comment on their ability to perform their job duties. I am making an exception, however with eBay’s appointment of Josh Silverman as the new CEO of Skype.

Here’s why…

Although Silverman brings a vast amount of experience running consumer internet companies, he has no experience in voice, IM, video or telecommunications. Since eBay bought Skype they have had trouble finding the right leadership to take the company to the next level, primarily because they have had eBay folks (who know little about communications) running the ship. Given their lackluster performance and the fact that many (privately) have stated that many within eBay have no clue about what to do with Skype, it is interesting to see that they elected to go with another insider, rather than bringing in a experienced communications executive.

I wish Mr. Silverman luck, but I see history repeating itself here. Look for another new CEO within a year.