Skype Branches Out

Golygydd Max writes "Our site, Techworld, reports that Skype, the voice over IP people have just developed an API that allows web developers to include Skype technology on their websites. Although it's a bit clunky at the moment, it could prove to be a useful tool for tech support."

first place it will be used...

[Macgyver7017]

porn, like all other new technology on the web

Voice Quality

[alatesystems]

I just wish they'd open up their codec and let the rest of the world use it. It is awesome, sounding just as good as if the person was standing in front of you. My packet8 [packet8.net] sounds like shit compared to it.

Re:Voice Quality

[bkw.org]

The codec they use is Open Source... I think you mean open source the protocol.

bkw

Re:Voice Quality

[alatesystems]

I never paid much attention to how it works. I've just never heard anything that even compares to it. The protocol they use is really cool. I love how it can bypass NATs altogether by just routing it through someone who DOES have an open port, and it even keeps the traffic encrypted end to end so the peer nodes can't listen in.

I think it's one of the coolest "free" projects I've ever seen.

Re:Voice Quality

[GridPoint]

I think it's one of the coolest "free" projects I've ever seen.

It isn't particularly "free".

Given this company's track record, Skype is likely to be riddled with spyware. I'm not sure I would like to trust my personal communication to such a company.

Re:Voice Quality

[magefile]

I am so tired of saying this ... someone either tell me I'm wrong, or get people to learn! The spyware in Kazaa was added after it was sold to Sharman Networks.

Re:Voice Quality

[crisco]

Technically, it appears that Skype only uses a third party to facilitate a direct connection between the two NATed hosts. I've heard this described as NAT Punching [sourceforge.net] and I'm still a bit fuzzy on how it works.

According to this article [66.102.7.104], Skype licensed a proprietary codec from Global IP Sound [globalipsound.com].

As for spyware, a little research into the history of the Kazaa client would reveal that the people who introduced the spyware did so after they bought the technology from the developers. The Skype people are the origin

Re:Voice Quality

[JohnA]

Their codec is an open-source standard called iLBC.

You can read more about it on the VoIP Info Wiki [voip-info.org].

Wish

[Deliveranc3]

I know it might make their network more complicated... but I really wish they woould support some of the old formats for user listing, like e-mail and ICQ number sorting so everyone can be added easily.

Comparison

[tm2b]

How does it compare with something like iChat's audio (not to mention video) support, or other free voip applications? Assuming you have broadband already, of course.

Re:Comparison

[grc]

I've used a couple of IpPhone type software, including NetMeeting, and services like DialPad, but NOTHING compares to the sound quality of Skype (not even POTS lines). I have participated ion a 3-way conference between 2 users in Argentina and one in Kazakshtan, and it sounded better than on the phone!

Skype/hype ?

[noselasd]

Now, while Skype is a cool thing today, will it prevail ?
It uses non-standard protocols. Properitary things.
My prediction is that in the not so distant future, more good standarized (e.g SIP) VoIP solutions will be developed, and have
more success attributed more vendors/solutions working together.
Where will that leave skype ?

Re:Skype/hype ?

[noselasd]

Since when did OpenSource means standard ?
I see Cisco, Nokia, Sony, Alcatel and others starting to develop
SIP phones, and some telecompanies starting to push them to end users.
I don't see many doing the same with iLBC, which again, is not a
standard. And, heck iLBC is just a goddamn codec. Not signalling. Learn
the diffrence.

Missing option = the link!

[AstroSurf]

Story about Skype. All about Skype. First word is Skype. And there's no link to Skype! Not even in related links! How does something like that happen?

http://www.skype.com/